Twenty-two people, including a Hudson County jail nurse, appeared in court as part of a large investigation into a multi-state, multimillion-dollar credit card fraud cartel.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and other agencies were involved in the investigation which took seven months,
according to the Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino who ordered the arrests.
However, of all the 22 people charged, 21 appeared in Central Judicial Processing court via video link from the Hudson County jail.
The nurse who works at the county jail in Kearny, Oladayo Araromi, was being held at Essex County jail and did not appear in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City.
Araromi was arrested Wednesday at the jail by Secret Service agents, Hudson County spokesman Jim Kennelly said. Araromi has worked at the jail for just under two years and is paid $79,298 a year.
Bail was set by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Joseph Isabella prior to their appearances in court.
Those held on $500,000 bail include: Henry Abdul, Olanasseur Adekoya, Ibrahim Akaba, Aglaide Alzuptar, Olushola Ayeni, Olutoya Babatunde, Ahaneta Bertrand, Gotbgo Dahnsan, Yves Desir, Fontessa Foreman, Vladimir Francois, Kossi Klutse, Evan Morris, Orwells Oyakhire, and Michael Assih.
Those held on $1-million bail include: Adegbda Adedeji, Oladapo Araromi, David Brown, Oluwaseun Jato, Olamide Otti and Bolair Ola.
Bail for Araromi was not immediately available.
Rubino said yesterday the early-morning raids involved more than 160 law enforcement officers from several state, county and local agencies.
The victims involved are from across the nation, Rubino said, adding that the ring generated nearly $1 million per month.
All 22 people have been charged with theft by deception, wrongful impersonation, and conspiracy charges.
Additional details about the investigation have not been released.