Jean Cordero
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jean Cordero, a 35-year-old male from Passaic, has been charged in connection to the November 22, 2020 homicide which occurred in the area of President Street and Parker Avenue in Passaic. Jean Cordero is charged with the crimes of Murder, first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, fourth degree; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, third degree; Robbery, second degree; and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, second degree.
On Sunday, November 22, 2020, at approximately 2:29 a.m., members of the City of Passaic Police Department were dispatched to the area of President Street and Parker Avenue on a reported fight. Officers located the victim, Juan Marquez, a 41-year-old male, with multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported to Saint Joseph’s Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced deceased. Witnesses who were with the victim indicated they were robbed and assaulted by a group of men. Based on the investigation, Jean Cordero was identified as one of the men who robbed them and the person who stabbed the victim with a knife. A warrant was filed against Jean Cordero on November 23, 2020.
With the assistance of the United States Marshals Service and New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, Jean Cordero was found in the Bronx, New York, and extradited to New Jersey on April 6, 2026. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion for pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
Murder has a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree) carries a sentencing range between 5 and 10 years in prison; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree) has a sentencing range of up to 18 months in prison; Robbery (Second Degree) and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Second Degree) have a sentencing range between 5 and 10 years in prison.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released when it becomes available.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org, or an anonymous tip via our website at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips.