Essex County Jury Convicts Newark Man of Vehicular Homicide

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Najeeh Green, 30, of vehicular homicide and other charges in connection with the death of Priscilla Godoy, a 29-year-old Newark mother.

On May 5, 2018, Green was involved a crime spree that resulted in a man being shot in Newark, a woman being carjacked at gunpoint in East Orange as she unloaded packages from her car and ultimately the death of Godoy.

Godoy’s skull was crushed when she was pinned between two park cars on South 14th Street around 11:44 pm as she tried to avoid the fleeing stolen Jeep Cherokee. She was rushed to University Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Following a nine-day trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, an Essex County jury returned a verdict yesterday morning finding Green guilty of all 11 counts. In addition to felony murder, vehicular homicide, and manslaughter while fleeing police, the jury also found him guilty of aggravated assault on the shooting victim, carjacking of the woman in Newark, conspiracy to commit carjacking and aggravated assault and multiple weapons offenses.

Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, June 13, before Judge Ravin.

The defendant, who has three prior felony convictions, faces life in prison.

“The defendant victimized three families. Because of the courage of those who survived, we were able to bring justice to the Godoy family as well as those who were carjacked and shot,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Jason Goldberg who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Brian Olsen.

Prosecutor Stephens lauded all those involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case. In addition to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit and the Crash and Fire Unit, he also commended the Newark Police Department and the East Orange Police Department.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Brianne Cunningham, on Nov. 20, 2018, members of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at Massey’s home on Summer Avenue in Newark. Inside the apartment, was a safe which was cracked open on Nov. 21, 2018 pursuant to a second search warrant. Inside the safe, law enforcement found two firearms, a .38 special revolver and a 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Exactly one year later, on November 21, 2019, an Essex County jury found Massey guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of two firearms. After the jury returned the guilty verdict, the State filed an extended term motion as a result of Massey’s extensive criminal history.

The Judge granted the States motion to sentence Massey to an extended term and sentenced him in the first-degree range due to his criminal history.

The Judge sentenced Massey to 18 years with 9 years parole ineligibility in New Jersey State Prison on count one and 10 years with a five-year period of parole ineligibility on count two. The terms will run concurrently for an aggregate sentence of 18 years with 9 years parole ineligibility.

“Sharod Massey, after previously being convicted of multiple crimes which prohibit him from obtaining a gun, illegally acquired two firearms in the City of Newark. Hopefully this sentence will deter Massey and others from illegally acquiring a handgun especially after having previously been convicted of a crime,” said Assistant Prosecutor Edwab.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Woody Armand, 44, of Bloomfield of unlawful possession of a handgun, trafficking in personal information, forgery, and unlawful possession of heroin and oxycodone, following a trial before the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Peter A. Wojcik, who prosecuted the case, on Nov. 4, 2018, officers of the Bloomfield Police Department, as well as agents of the United States Postal Service, executed a search warrant at Armand’s Bloomfield apartment.

There, officers found multiple debit cards that did not belong to Armand, as well as multiple checks on which Armand was neither the issuer nor the payee. Additionally, officers found 37 decks of heroin, two oxycodone pills, printing equipment, and over 1,000 blank checks. A .40 Smith and Wesson handgun was also found hidden behind a painting in the stairwell.

At trial, testimony was introduced to show Armand was printing fraudulent checks at his residence. These checks would then be deposited in a willing participant’s bank account. The funds would later be withdrawn and split with individuals who were cooperating with the illegal scheme.

Following a three-day trial and three days of jury deliberations, the jury found Armand guilty on all counts.

Armand has eight prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, credit card theft, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property. He also has a federal conviction for conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2019.

Because of his criminal history, Armand is eligible for an extended term of imprisonment, which could mean up to 30 years in state prison with 10 years of parole ineligibility. He also faces two additional indictments.

“We thank the officers of the Bloomfield Police Department for their tireless efforts and dedication to the investigation and prosecution of this case. We also thank the jury for their patience and service in this rather lengthy trial,” said Assistant Prosecutor Wojcik.

“Hopefully this sends a strong message to everyone involved in similar fraudulent schemes: you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted,” Assistant Prosecutor Wojcik added.

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Dashon Ross, 35, of Newark was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court. Under the Graves Act, Ross must serve 5 years before he is eligible for parole.

On Feb. 25, 2016, Ross was wanted by State Police for discarding a loaded 9mm handgun inside the Super Plaza bodega located at 408 Elizabeth Avenue in Newark. On the following day, State Police located Ross in the vicinity of Hillside and Clinton Avenues and attempted to place him under arrest. After a brief foot pursuit, State Police apprehended Ross. At the time of the arrest he was in possession of 27 wax folds of heroin.
During the first trial on October 31, 2018, an Essex County jury returned a partial verdict on two of five counts and found Ross guilty of possession of heroin and resisting arrest by fleeing. On March 21, 2019, Ross was retried on the remaining counts and a jury convicted Ross of unlawful possession of a handgun, tampering with physical evidence, and being a convicted felon with a weapon.

Ross had six prior felony convictions for unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, possession of narcotics in a school zone, and multiple counts of possession of a control dangerous substance with intent to distribute.

Assistant Prosecutor Donato D’Angelo, who tried both cases, urged the judge to impose an extended term of imprisonment on Ross because of his extensive criminal record. Judge Sivilli granted the State’s application for an extended term sentence.

“This sentence sends a strong message to those engaging in this type of conduct that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assistant Prosecutor D’Angelo.

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 Nestor Francisco Canela Lopez, 40, of the Bronx was sentenced to 50 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of 64-year-old Charles Jeffrey of Newark.

The Honorable James W. Donohue, who described the attack on Jeffrey as “overkill,’’ imposed sentence today after tearful family members described the impact of Jeffrey’s murder on their family.

Lopez, who had been doing work at Jeffrey’s home, bludgeoned the victim to death with a hammer, a screwdriver and a wrench on Nov. 19, 2015. Autopsy results showed the victim suffered dozens of wounds. The death blow was caused when Jeffrey was hit in the head with a hammer. When a downstairs tenant discovered Jeffrey, the ball end of the hammer was embedded in his head.

Just prior to the murder, Jeffrey fired Lopez because jewelry went missing from the home. Lopez, who was under severe financial pressure, came back to the house to confront Jeffrey.

After the murder, Lopez showered at the victim’s house and attempted to clean up the scene, using ammonia. He then changed into clothes he found in the house, went back to his residence in the Bronx and discarded clothing and other evidence along the way.

Assistant Prosecutor Alex Albu, who tried the case, said, “This was as heinous, cruel and depraved as a murder can get. Without provocation, the victim was bludgeoned to death in his home, suffering dozens of stab wounds and other injuries all over his body. With the 50-year sentence, which essentially amounts to life in prison given the defendant’s age, justice was served today.”

On Jan. 26, an Essex County jury convicted Lopez of murder, multiple weapons offenses and destruction of evidence. Under the No Early Release Act, Lopez must serve 42 years and six months before he is eligible for parole. If ever released, he will be on probation for five years.

On Dec. 17, 2015 Everett was fatally shot outside a residence in the 100 block of Joyce Street in West Orange.
Following a trial before the Honorable Verna G. Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury convicted Jones of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and being a convicted felon with a weapon.

“This could not have been accomplished without the efforts of the West Orange Police Department, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the witnesses who cooperated,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Sam Hanna.

“It is satisfying that the jury has served justice in this case by finding the defendant guilty of killing Naji Everett by shooting him numerous times at point-blank range. The jury returned the only fair verdict in this brutal homicide,” Assistant Prosecutor Hanna added.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 25. Jones, who has prior convictions for carjacking, eluding police and receiving stolen property, is facing life in prison.

Five months before the murder, Jones was released on parole after serving a 14-year sentence for carjacking.
In addition to Jones, Rasuan Foster, 29, of East Orange, and Jarret Mceachin, 29, of Orange were also charged with the murder of Everett. Mceachin entered a guilty plea and is serving a 20-year sentence. Foster’s case is pending. He is expected to go to trial in the Spring.

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 an Essex County jury has convicted former Newark Police Officer Eddie Gonzalez, 39, of Newark of illegally possession two weapons, following a trial before the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court.

On March 12, the Essex County Prosecutors Office Domestic Violence Unit, the Newark Police Tactical Response Team and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Gonzalez’s home after obtaining information that Gonzalez may still have been in possession of two handguns after being served with a family court domestic violence restraining order.

When someone is served with a domestic violence restraining order, he or she is barred from having any contact with the victim or possessing weapons. Gonzalez did not turn over two handguns even though he had been served with a restraining order which required him to immediately surrender all weapons.

The temporary restraining stemmed from an allegation of harassment and stalking, filed against him by a former girlfriend.

“No one should knowingly disregard a family court temporary restraining order,” said Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez, who handled the case. “The two main requirements of a restraining order are to have no contact with the victim and to surrender your weapons. This defendant chose to disregard an order of the court when he knew that he had an affirmative duty to surrender the two handguns that we ultimately discovered in his home.”
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After the verdict was returned on Aug. 10, Assistant Prosecutor Gutierrez made an application to have Gonzalez’s bail revoked. Judge Sivilli granted the application and Gonzalez was taken into custody immediately.

Gonzalez is facing three to five years in New Jersey State Prison on both counts of these weapons convictions. At sentencing, the State will be asking Gonzalez be sentenced to consecutive jail sentences.

A former Newark Police officer, who was terminated, Gonzalez was out on bail after having been convicted in April of 2018 on four counts of false swearing and of one count of impersonating an officer. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7, 2018.

Gonzalez also has two more pending indictments one for two counts of stalking and one for six count of contempt of court. Those 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 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.