4 Yrs NJSP for Harrison Man in 2 CVS Robberies

PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO

After his lawyer said his client “has recognized that his drug addiction is what brought him before this court,” Howard D. Lopez (DOB 4/20/81) of Harrison Township, Gloucester County NJ was sentenced today to four years in New Jersey state prison for his admitted robbery of painkiller pills from two CDS drug stores in July 2010.

The “brutally honest” Lopez, with an “extremely supportive” family, has “significant tools to be successful” in controlling his addiction, said defense attorney James Leonard.

Lopez pleaded guilty 6/30/11 to robbery of CVS stores in Franklin and Harrison townships on 7/19/10 and 7/28/10. After threatening employees, he took ocycodone pills from each store. He was arrested 8/10/10. Lopez must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole and will be placed on parole for three years after prison, Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. said, noting that Lopez’ record of eight arrests and three municipal court convictions meant he “needs deterrence.”