May 1, 2018

Seattle Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Under New Jersey’s Terrorism Statute
for Murder of College Student

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Ali Muhammad Brown, 33, of Seattle was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Judge of the Superior Court, for the murder of 19-year-old University of Richmond student Brendan Tevlin of Livingston.

Tevlin was killed in West Orange on June 25, 2014.

Acting Prosecutor Laurino said, “We hope the resolution of the legal case will give the Tevlin family some solace. Their strength through this tragedy has inspired us.’’
In March, just as jury selection was underway, Brown entered a guilty plea to all charges arising from the murder of Tevlin, including first degree murder, first degree terrorism, first-degree felony murder, first-degree carjacking, first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Today, Judge Wigler imposed a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole on Brown who is the first defendant to be convicted under New Jersey’s terrorism statute in connection with a homicide. That count alone carried a mandatory life sentence.

Assistant Prosecutor Jamel Semper, who handled the case with Assistant Prosecutor Purva Desphande, called the murder “senseless, shameless violence, premeditated and unnecessary.’’ He urged the judge to imposed three consecutive life sentences for the terrorism, murder and carjacking to deter not only Brown but others who might consider committing similar acts.

When he entered his guilty plea, Brown said the killings were a part of what he called a “Jihad.’’

Shortly before midnight on June 25, 2014, Brown fatally shot Tevlin when he stopped the Jeep Liberty he was driving at a traffic light at the intersection of Northfield Avenue and Walker Road in West Orange. Tevlin had just finished his freshman year at the University of Richmond and was coming home after meeting up with friends.

Describing how Brown targeted Tevlin then shot him 16 times, Assistant Prosecutor Semper said Brown, “took up arms against the country, against defenseless, unsuspecting citizens.’’
Brown is already serving a 35-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison for an armed robbery he committed in West Orange prior to killing Tevlin. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on another robbery in Ocean County on May 11 and faces three counts of murder in Washington State.

In addition to the West Orange armed robbery, Brown was previously convicted by federal authorities of bank fraud in 2005. In Washington State, he was convicted of sexual contact and aggravated assault. He had one arrest as a juvenile and 19 adult arrests.

###########################

March 6, 2018
Ali Muhammad Brown Enters Guilty Plea to Murder and Terrorism

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Ali Muhammad Brown, 34, of Seattle pleaded guilty today to killing Brendan Tevlin, 19, of West Orange before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Judge of the Superior Court.

Jury selection was underway in the case but yesterday Brown indicated he was willing to plead guilty to all the charges in the indictment.

Prosecutors had refused to agree to a plea bargain. This morning Brown admitted killing Tevlin on June 25, 2014. And, without prompting, he also admitted to committing three other homicides in Washington State just weeks before coming to New Jersey. In one incident involving two victims he said he killed them because he believed they were homosexual. The other homicide was a road rage incident.

In his statement to the court today Brown admitted that the killings were a part of what he described as a “Jihad.’’

In addition to first degree murder, Brown pled guilty to first degree terrorism, first-degree felony murder, first-degree carjacking, first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
This is the first time the New Jersey terrorism statute has been used in connection a homicide. When he is sentenced on May 1, by Judge Wigler, Brown faces a mandatory life sentence under the terrorism statute alone.

“We did not negotiate with this defendant. From the beginning, our position has been that he had to plead to all the charges or we would go to trial and let the jury decide. Today, this defendant, in open court, admitted to the heinous acts he committed the night he took Brendan Tevlin’s life. Because of his admission, we expect that when he is sentenced on May 1, it will mean that he will never be a free man again,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Laurino.
Brown is already serving a 35-year sentence in New Jersey state prison for an armed robbery he committed in West Orange prior to killing Tevlin.
In addition to the West Orange armed robbery, Brown was previously convicted by federal authorities of bank fraud. In Washington State, he was convicted of sexual contact and aggravated assault. He has an open robbery case in Ocean County and the three homicides in Washington State, which have not been tried. Those are accusations. He remains innocent of those charges until he is convicted in a court of law or enters a guilty plea.

Assistant Prosecutor/Director Jamel Semper, who was trying the case with Assistant Prosecutor Purva Deshpande, said, “Ali Muhammad Brown randomly targeted and executed an innocent defenseless teenager, and admitted in open court to doing the same to three other young men in Washington. He grievously harmed families and terrorized entire communities across the country. This defendant is no martyr, he’s just an admitted terrorist who will now spend the rest of his life in prison. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Tevlin family, and all those affected.”

Jan. 21, 2016

Ali Muhammad Brown Sentenced to 36 ½ Years for West Orange Robbery

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Ali Muhammad Brown, 31, of Seattle, Washington was sentenced yesterday to 36 years and six months in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Michael Petrolle, Judge of the Superior Court, for the armed robbery of a West Orange man on July 10, 2014.

Judge Petrolle sentenced Brown to 35 years for the first degree robbery and two weapons offenses. The Judge also imposed a consecutive 18 month sentence for possession of hollow point bullets. Under the No Early Release Act, Brown must serve 33 years before becoming eligible for parole.

“Ali Muhammad Brown terrorized an innocent victim by robbing the victim at gunpoint before locking the victim inside of a car trunk.  There is an overwhelming need to deter this defendant and others from engaging in any further violent criminality that endangers the citizens of our community. This sentence will keep Ali Muhammad Brown off the streets for decades,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Jamel Semper, who tried the robbery case.

The victim was opening the passenger side door of his car in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 200 block of Mount Pleasant Avenue in West Orange when he was approached by Brown. Wearing a mask and dressed in camouflage, Brown confronted the victim at 6 am. He stole the victim’s wallet and other personal items and then ordered the victim into the trunk of his car, according to Assistant Prosecutor Semper.

Law enforcement linked Brown to the robbery prior to his capture on July 18 when officers located Brown in a makeshift campsite near the apartment complex.  Upon arresting Brown, officers seized a loaded firearm that was linked to several homicides that Brown has been charged with committing.  Brown is presumed innocent of those homicide charges.

Brown was also found to be in possession of a journal that contained handwritten excerpts specifying a desire to engage in Jihad and travel to conflict zones in the Middle East.  Additionally, officers found the West Orange’s robbery victim’s driver’s license and other items including the mask and camouflage jacket that Brown wore during the robbery.

On Nov. 17, 2015 an Essex County jury convicted Brown of robbery and weapons offenses.  Ordinarily first degree armed robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years but Assistant Prosecutor Semper sought an extended prison sentence because of Brown’s three prior felony convictions. Once the  court determined Brown was eligible for an extended term, Brown faced a sentence of 20 years to life.

Nov. 17, 2015

Ali Muhammad Brown Convicted of West Orange Robbery

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an EssexCounty jury has convicted Ali Muhammad Brown, 30, of Seattle, Washington of all counts in connection with an armed robbery of a man in West Orange.

Following a two-week trial before the Honorable Michael A. Petrolle, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury found Brown guilty of robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and unlawful possession of hollow point bullets.

Assistant Prosecutor Jamel Semper, who tried the case, said on July 10, 2014 at approximately 6 a.m. Brown emerged from the woods, where he had set up a campsite, and robbed the victim using a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun. The robbery occurred in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the 200 block of Mount Pleasant Avenue in West Orange. In addition to pointing a handgun at the victim, Brown also threatened to the shoot the victim before forcing the victim into the trunk of a vehicle.

Brown took the victim’s driver’s license, credit cards, Apple I phone, computer tablet and other personal items. Over the next few days Brown used the victim’s credit card at several locations Essex and UnionCounty.  On July 18, 2014, law enforcement personnel captured Brown at a makeshift campsite in the woods a few hundred yards from the location of the robbery.

Today, a jury convicted Brown on all charges.

“The defendant’s criminality in this case was a clear and present danger to the community. This outcome was made possible by the extraordinary work of Sgt. Dennis McCole and Officer Raymond Rosania of the West Orange Police Department along with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force,’’ Assistant Prosecutor Semper said.

Except for two days during jury selection, Brown refused to leave his cell and participate in his defense.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 20. The state will seek the maximum penalty of 20 years.

Brown is awaiting trial for the murder of Brendan Tevlin, who as killed June 25, 2014 in West Orange. No trial date has been set.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the June 25 murder of 19-year-old Brendan Tevlin of Livingston.

A registered sex offender and a suspect in two Seattle homicides, Ali Muhammad Brown, 29, of Seattle, Washington, has been charged with murder, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Also charged in connection with the Tevlin murder are Jeremy Villagran, 19, and Eric Williams, 18, both of West Orange. Both men have been charged with felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Tevlin was fatally shot in the vicinity of Northfield Avenue and Walker road in West Orange on June 25.  He was found dead in a Jeep Liberty in the parking lot of 275 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.

Villagran is a resident of the apartment complex where Tevlin’s body was found.

Brown was linked to the crime when it was learned that the weapon used to kill Tevlin is the same weapon used in two murders in Seattle, Washington. Brown was also charged in a June 29, robbery and attempted carjacking in Point Pleasant, N.J.

On July 18, members of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide /Major Crimes Task Force and the West Orange Police Department canvassed a wooded area in the Township and found Brown living in a makeshift camp area.  Brown was subsequently taken into custody.

Andre Fields, 31, of Irvington has been arrested and charged with the June 29 murder of Cheyanne Bond, 17, of Irvington. In addition to being charged with 1^st degree murder, Fields is also charged with felony murder, robbery, conspiracy, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Bonds and a 17-year-old male friend were walking in the 500 block of South 17th Street when they were confronted by two assailants who attempted to rob them of an I Phone. Both were shot. She was pronounced dead shortly after police arrived on the scene at 9:45 p.m. The other victim was transported to University Hospital. He survived his injuries. His name is not being released at this time.

The preliminary investigation indicates the motive in Bonds’ murder appears to be robbery.

In both cases the investigations are active and ongoing.

All four men are currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. The Honorable Robert H. Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court, set bail for Fields at $1 million.

The Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Judge of the Essex County Criminal Division, set bail for Brown at $5 million and bail for Williams and Villagran at $1 million.

All four are scheduled to make their first court appearance on Wednesday, Aug. 6. before Judge Wigler.

These are allegations. 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.

Andre Fields

Eric C. Williams

Jeremy Villagran

Ali Muhammad Brown