Newark, NJ-Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Armando Villareal Mena, 66, of Newburgh, New York in connection with the 2025 attempted murder of a 19-year-old man outside his mother’s home in Nutley.
On October 23, 2026, following a day of deliberations, a jury found Mena guilty of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree attempted murder, and second-degree aggravated assault in connection with the attack on Jahniel Perez.
The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Byrnes and Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Wukovits before the Honorable Joseph N. Minish, J.S.C.
The prosecution proved that on July 4, 2025, Mena and a co-conspirator drove from Newburgh, New York to the victim’s mother’s home in Nutley. Surveillance video showed the vehicle circling the block before stopping in front of the house. Mena is seen smashing the window of the victim’s mother’s car to lure Perez out of the house. The co-conspirator fired 12 shots at Perez as Mena drove toward the victim. Perez was struck by gunfire four times, and the assailants fled the scene.
Perez’s mother transported him in the damaged vehicle to a local hospital for treatment.
Three days later, Mena was arrested while driving the suspect vehicle in Newburgh. Following his arrest, he gave a statement to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force in which he admitted to being the driver.
The identity of the shooter remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
Following the conviction, Assistant Prosecutor Byrnes stated,“We thank the jury for their time and careful deliberation during this trial in reaching this verdict.”
Assistant Prosecutor Wukovits added, “We are thankful to have secured justice for Jahniel Perez and his family. This verdict would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the ECPO Homicide Task Force, the Nutley Police Department, and the Newburgh Police Department “
Mena is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, 2026. He faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Anyone with information related to criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.
ARMANDO VILLAREAL MENA
