Camden drug-ring enforcer guilty of murder, other charges

Two-Face was stoned-faced yesterday as a federal jury in Camden delivered a verdict that could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Juan "Two-Face" Rivera-Velez, 35, showed no reaction as the jury foreman announced four consecutive guilty verdicts, capping nearly eight days of deliberations in a high-profile narcotics trial in U.S. District Court in Camden.

Rivera-Velez, nicknamed after his face was disfigured in an auto accident several years ago, was charged with carrying out one murder and attempting a second for convicted Camden drug kingpin Raymond Morales.

During the six-week trial, prosecutors described Rivera-Velez as an "enforcer" for Morales, who controlled one of the city's biggest cocaine rings.

Morales, 37, became a cooperating witness in 2004 and was the key prosecution witness in the case. He has helped authorities convict more than 20 former associates and dismantle a multimillion-dollar network that dumped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine onto the streets.

"We're gratified with the jury verdict," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Wiener, one of two prosecutors in the case. "It's tremendous. This was a very bad guy."

"We're also happy that justice was done for the families of the victims," added Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana V. Carrig.

Rivera-Velez, who lived in Camden, was convicted of gunning down Miguel Batista in 1996 and shooting Rafael Colon-Rodriguez seven years later. Morales testified that he had ordered both hits.

Batista, a drug rival, was killed. Colon-Rodriguez survived. He was targeted, Morales said, because he was a potential witness in the Batista murder.

In addition, Rivera-Velez was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine and of a weapons offense.

Judge Joseph E. Irenas did not set a sentencing date.

Defense attorney Harold Shapiro said he would file appeal motions challenging the conviction.

Rivera-Velez was described as a "hired gun" for Morales, who, prosecutors said, controlled a major cocaine operation between 1992 and 2004.

Prosecutors said the Morales organization had routinely used violence, including "beat downs" and shootings, to protect its business. Morales admitted ordering six murders while leading the drug organization.

He befriended Rivera-Velez in 1992, he said, when Rivera-Velez was working for a rival drug organization in Camden's infamous "Alley," an open drug market.

Morales said they had become close friends after Rivera-Velez's serious auto accident. After he recovered, Rivera-Velez began to work for Morales and became one of his most trusted associates, the prosecution alleged.