Kimbrough was convicted of first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy, and third-degree attempted escape.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Romil Devang Amin, who handled the case, on Dec. 19, 2017 Kimbrough and an unidentified individual went to the Verizon store on the 700 block of Broad Street around 6:45 PM and robbed the employee at gunpoint of $1,018, a display phone, an iPad and several Sim cards.

Both men fled the store while the victim locked himself in the bathroom and called 911.

Information was circulated, including the defendant’s photograph, and on Feb. 2, 2018, Kimbrough was arrested by Newark Police Officers. After giving a recorded statement, Kimbrough attempted to escape from custody while being processed by the officers.

Kimbrough was facing anywhere from 20 years to life in New Jersey State Prison because he is eligible for a mandatory extended term. The State considered his age, his seven prior convictions, and his involvement and asked for him to be sentenced to 31 years. Under the No Early Release Act, Kimbrough will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Shaquan Knight was sentenced to 11 years. His brother, Fuquan Knight, who was also convicted of third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, was sentenced to 16 years.

Both must serve 85 percent of their sentence before they are eligible for parole, according to Assistant Prosecutor Sean D. Dickson who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Brian Olsen.

“These sentences are appropriate given the fact that these defendants brazenly and recklessly robbed a man at gunpoint and knifepoint in broad daylight after he left a local deli,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Dickson.

The robbery occurred on Oct. 11, 2018. At approximately 11:45 a.m. East Orange officers were dispatched to the area of Central Avenue and Halsted Street on report of a robbery. The male robbery victim said he has been robbed by three individuals behind 520 Central Avenue.

The victim was in line at a deli when he observed the first suspect. After finishing at the store, the victim left and walked around the corner to Halsted Street when he felt someone grab him from behind and force him into a corner in the rear of the building. He then observed two more suspects – one with a knife and the other with a shotgun or rifle. They took $560 in cash, a debit card, a Social Security card, and ID card. Afterwards, the three suspects fled.

The victim was immediately able to identify Fuquan Knight and Shaquan Knight. A few days later, he identified the third suspect, Kyler Knight, the defendants’ father.

“Thanks to the hard work of the East Orange Police Department, the defendants were quickly apprehended,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Olsen.

Shaquan Knight has one prior conviction. Fuquan Knight has three prior convictions.

The father, Kyler Knight, fled the state and was arrested in Virginia for robbery, where he remains. Those charges against Knight are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Newark – – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Wahiduddin Kimbrough, 34, of Newark of first-degree robbery, second degree conspiracy and third-degree attempted escape following a trial before the Honorable Michael Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Romil Devang Amin, who tried the case, on Dec. 19, 2017 the defendant along with an unidentified individual went to the Verizon Store then located in the 700 block of Broad Street in Newark at approximately 6:45 PM, just before closing, and robbed the store employee at gunpoint.

The defendant entered the store and inquired about purchasing an iPhone for his girlfriend. He left the store and told the clerk that he would come back with the subscriber information. He came back a few minutes later. Moments after he entered the store, the masked co-defendant came in the store. He pointed a gun at the victim and ordered him to go to the back of the store. During this time, the defendant, went through the cash register and took $1,018, a display phone, an iPad, and several SIM cards.

The defendant also went to the back of the store and began yelling at the victim who could not open the safe. The defendant then attempted to destroy the recording equipment. Throughout the entire time, the defendant was ordering the co-defendant to shoot the victim if he did not open the safe. The victim could not open the safe because the handle broke.

Both men fled the store. The victim then locked himself in the bathroom and called 911. Information was circulated, including a photograph, and Kimbrough was arrested after the Newark Police received a tip.

The defendant was arrested on Feb. 2, 2018. He gave a recorded statement on that day. When the defendant was being processed at 480 Clinton Avenue, he attempted to escape from custody.

“This case was successfully prosecuted because of the cooperation of the victim, tremendous work by law enforcement authorities, and the hard work and diligence of the jurors who had to be here for 28 days during jury selection and trial,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Amin.

“Because of this defendant’s long criminal history, he faces a substantial time in prison when he is sentenced, ’’ Assistant Prosecutor Amin added.

Sentencing is scheduled for Monday Sept. 9. Kimbrough, who has six prior felony convictions, faces a minimum of 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Sheedley Pierre, 22, of felony murder, robbery, conspiracy, using a juvenile in a crime, and weapons offenses for his role in the killing of Jonas Larose, a 55-year-old East Orange taxi cab driver.

“Mr. Larose was a hardworking family man who was simply trying to make an honest living when his life was taken by Pierre and the juvenile. While there is nothing we can do to bring him back to his family members, hopefully, the jury’s verdict will give them some sense of justice,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Jason Goldberg, who tried the case.

According to Goldberg, on Nov. 30, 2016 Pierre and a 14-year-old juvenile called for a cab. When Larose arrived, they pulled a gun on the cab driver and attempted to rob him.

Witnesses heard popping sounds. Police later found Larose in his taxicab in the 200 block of Snyder Street in Orange at approximately 11 p.m. suffering from two gunshot wounds to his head. The defendant and the juvenile fled on foot. They ran before taking any money. Witnesses heard them laughing and saying they had just killed the cab driver.

Pierre gave detectives in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force a statement admitting being at the scene and admitted knowing it was going to be a robbery but denied his involvement.

DNA from a bloody jacket linked the victim to the Pierre. In addition, there were Facebook messages between the juvenile and Pierre the morning after the murder.

The 14-year-old male and Pierre were arrested and charged in connection with the crime. The juvenile was sentenced to 10 years. He is not being identified because he was tried as a juvenile and juvenile records are confidential public.

Following a one-month trial before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, Pierre was convicted on all six counts today. Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, June 17. Pierre faces 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Taquan Harris, 24, of Newark was sentenced to 26 years in New Jersey State Prison for the fatal shooting of New Jersey Institute of Technology student Joseph Micalizzi, 23, of Freehold.

The Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, presiding Criminal Division Judge, also sentenced co-defendant Nafee Cotman, 21, of Newark to 12 years for his role in the fatal robbery.
Assistant Prosecutor Eric Plant, who handled the case, said Under the No Early Release Act, both Harris and Cotman must serve 85 percent of their respective sentences before becoming eligible for parole. Both have already been in jail for over 1,000 days.
“Plea agreements are rarely completely satisfying for family members of the victims of violent crime, but we believe this was an appropriate resolution of this case. We hope that the sentencing today will allow the Micalizzi family to continue to focus on honoring the cherished memory of their son. He was an extraordinary young man, witnessed by the fact that more than 1,400 people attended his wake. He made an impact.’’

Micalizzi, a mechanical engineering student, was fatally shot when Harris and Cotman broke into the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house on Martin Luther King Boulevard on May 2, 2016 at 3:15 a.m. to rob students.
The two defendants went to the third floor where Micalizzi and his roommate were studying. During a confrontation and struggle, Micalizzi was shot three times by Harris.
Back in October 2018, jury selection was completed. The trial was ready to open when Harris and Cotman decided to enter guilty pleas. Prior to sentencing today, Harris sought to withdraw his plea but Judge Wigler rejected the motion, saying Harris had knowingly and voluntarily entered the guilty plea.
The guilty plea came two years after an Essex County grand jury indicted Cotman and Harris on murder, felony murder, robbery, burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Under the terms of the plea agreement Harris pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter and illegal possession of a weapon. The murder count was dismissed.
Cotman pled guilty to one count of first-degree armed robbery. All other charges were dismissed.
Prior to this case, Harris had one juvenile case which resulted in him being put in a diversionary program. As an adult he was arrested six times but was never convicted.
Cotman had 10 cases as a juvenile and was arrested on five occasions as an adult but had no adult convictions.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that two men were convicted by an Essex County jury of an armed carjacking. One of those men was also convicted of an armed robbery that occurred on the following day.

Dashawn Ward, 21, of East Orange and Glenford Findlay, 19, of East Orange were both convicted of carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose in connection with an incident that occurred on August 31, 2016.

Dashawn Ward was also convicted of first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and related firearm offenses in connection with an incident involving a different victim on September 1, 2016.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor James Felix, on Aug. 31, 2016 both defendants carjacked a victim at gunpoint in East Orange. The defendants drove up in a vehicle while the victim was sitting in her car after work in the parking lot of her apartment complex.

Ward got out of the defendants’ car and pointed a handgun at the victim. He proceeded to force the victim’s driver side door open, ordered her out of her vehicle at gunpoint, and then stole her vehicle. Findlay was operating the vehicle that the defendants used to approach the victim.

On Sept. 1, 2016, Dashawn Ward and a second co-conspirator robbed a victim at gunpoint as he was walking down Central Avenue after purchasing some food. Ward pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded the victim’s personal items. After stealing the victim’s food, keys and sneakers, both suspects fled on foot.

Findlay was charged as the second co-conspirator, however the jury acquitted Findlay of these charges.

“The jury’s verdict ensures that these two violent offenders will not be able to victimize the citizens of East Orange for the foreseeable future,” said Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards. “This result was only possible because these victims came forward, worked with the East Orange Police, and took a stand for themselves and their community,” said Assistant Prosecutor James Felix.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 22, 2019 before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court.

Both defendants are facing a mandatory prison sentence between 10 and 30 years for the carjacking. Dashawn Ward is facing an additional mandatory prison sentence of 10 to 20 years for the robbery, which will likely run consecutively to the sentence for the carjacking. Defendants will have to serve 85 percent of these prison sentences before being eligible for parole.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Taquan Harris, 24, and Nafee Cotman, 21, pled guilty yesterday in connection with the May 2, 2016 robbery murder of Joseph Micalizzi, 23, of Freehold.

With opening arguments scheduled to begin yesterday, Harris admitted to fatally shooting Micalizzi. Cotman admitted to participating in the robbery.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Harris of Newark is expected to be sentenced to 26 years in New Jersey State Prison. Cotman, an Irvington resident, is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in prison. In both cases, the men will have to serve 85 percent of their respective sentences before they are eligible for parole.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 27 before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the Presiding Criminal Division Judge, who accepted the guilty pleas.

In court yesterday, Harris and Cotman admitted entering the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and climbing the steps to the third-floor bedroom with a plan to rob the occupants.

Harris admitted bringing a loaded revolver to the fraternity house and shooting Micalizzi three times. One of the shots was fatal.

Assistant Prosecutor Eric Plant, who is handling the case, said, “When parents send children off to college their hope is that their children will be safe while they pursue their education. That hope was shattered for the Micalizzi family on May 2, 2016. While nothing can give them back their beloved son, we believe these guilty pleas are a fair resolution of the case and hope that it brings them some sense of the justice that they were seeking.’’

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Nahshaun White, 22, of Newark of first degree armed robbery, resisting arrest by fleeing and multiple weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a .380 handgun following a trial before the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior.

“This verdict sends a strong message that violence, especially gun violence, will not be tolerated in our community. Due to the nature of the offenses the defendant is facing up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison when sentenced by the court,” said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Stephens.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 26 before Judge Leath. The defendant must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, according to Assistant Prosecutor Jason Goldberg, who tried the case.

On Nov. 5, 2016 the victim was robbed of his beats headphone, Apple watch, and his lucky two dollar bill in the 100 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard while waiting for a taxicab.

The defendant was found a block away in Wynona Lipman Gardens, five minutes after the robbery. He immediately ran from police and tossed the .380 loaded handgun. He was found in possession of the proceeds of the robbery, said Assistant Prosecutor Goldberg.

“The victim’s willingness to come forward and testify was crucial to the successful prosecution of this case,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Goldberg.

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Gregory Bentley, 24, was sentenced to 26 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

On April 20, an Essex County jury convicted Bentley of attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons charges. The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards.

The crime occurred on Jan. 18, 2016. Bentley, who has lived in Newark and Irvington, and three unindicted co-conspirators forced their way into the Top Dog variety store on Clinton Avenue in Newark. They tried to rob the store clerk and his friend at gunpoint and fired multiple shots at both victims. The defendant eventually forced his way into the back office where he shot the store clerk 15 times, several of those being inflicted as he stood over the victim who lay wounded and bleeding on the floor.
The store clerk was hospitalized for three months, underwent numerous surgeries and survived, according to Assistant Prosecutor Edwards.
Bentley was identified because he got trapped inside the store. There was no rear exit. Surveillance video captured the shooting. After the victim regained consciousness, he identified Bentley as a store customer and the primary actor in the robbery and shooting.
“Yesterday’s sentence reflects how heinous this robbery and attempted murder truly were. While nothing can make up for what happened to these victims, I hope this brings some closure as they continue to heal physically and emotionally from this horrific event,” said Assistant Prosecutor Edwards.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Rakeem Johnson, 37, of Newark of first degree armed robbery, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Following a trial before the Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury returned a guilty verdict today after four days of deliberating.

According to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Roger Imhof, who tried the case, on Dec. 22, 2015 at approximately 9:50 p.m. members of the Newark Police Department responded to the area of 93 Roseville Avenue on a call of a shooting in progress.

When the officers arrived on the scene they discovered the victim, Abner Dominguez, 36, of Jersey City lying on the ground next to the open driver’s side door of his motor vehicle, which was running at the time. He was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Dominguez was rushed to University Hospital, where he later died.

At trial the state’s theory was that Dominguez was a robbery victim. Witnesses identified Johnson running from the scene with a gun after hearing shots. In addition, a palm print was found on the outside passenger side of the vehicle where the defendant entered.
Surveillance video captured Johnson touching the vehicle as he entered it.

At the time of the homicide, Johnson was on parole for aggravated manslaughter. He had just finishes serving a 17-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison for a Sept. 2, 1998 homicide. Johnson had been out of prison for just over two years when he killed Dominguez.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3 before Judge Sules. Johnson faces 30 years to life.

“With this verdict today, we hope Mr. Dominguez’s family will find some measure of comfort in the long and painful healing process,’’ said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Imhof.