Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that an Essex County jury convicted Yinka Olasoji, 42, of Newark, of aggravated assault for beating an East Orange cab driver.
On June 26, 2018, Olasoji became enraged when the cab driver refused to give him a ride in East Orange, said Assistant Prosecutor Brianne Cunningham, who tried the case. Olasoji held onto the open door of the cab as the driver drove toward a nearby East Orange police officer. As the cab stopped, Olasoji entered the cab and punched the driver in the face numerous times, causing him to lose several teeth. The police officer, who was conducting a motor vehicle stop nearby, responded to the scene. Olasoji proceeded to bite the officer in the arm.
On April 27, 2023, following a three-day trial before Superior Court Judge John Zunic, the jury found Olasoji guilty of one count of third-degree aggravated assault on the cab driver, and one count of disorderly persons simple assault on the responding police officer.
When he is sentenced on June 12, 2023, Olasoji faces up to five years in New Jersey State Prison and possible deportation.
“I would like to thank the victim for his bravery in coming forward and testifying in this case as well as the responding officer,” said Cunningham. “The jury returned a just verdict that will provide closure for the victim.”
