15 Years: NY Man Sentenced for Role in Brutal NJ Kidnapping

A Bronx, NY, man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a 2020 kidnapping in Paterson, NJ.

42-year-old Maurice Cottman previously pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Officials say,

On Oct. 8, 2020, Cottman and his conspirator, Reginald Law, entered a retail store in Paterson and assaulted the victim, who was working in the store. Cottman and Law dragged the victim from the store, threw him into the back of a U-Haul truck and drove to New York. Cottman and Law pistol whipped the victim in the head and face. Later that morning, Cottman called the victim’s family, told them that he had the victim and demanded amounts as high as $200,000 for his return.

Get our free mobile app

That afternoon, officers went to Harlem, NY, where they spotted the U-Haul. Sellinger's office says when officers approached, Cottman and Law fled in the truck and were pursued before it eventually crashed. Ultimately, cops apprehended Cottman and the victim was found in the back of the truck. Law was arrested on May 26, 2021.

In addition to the prison term, Cottman was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Charges against Law remain pending and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.