Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Anwar Crockett, 32, and Ali Ibn Karim, 31, both of Elizabeth, were sentenced to extended prison terms today by the Honorable Martin Cronin, J.S.C.

Crockett was sentenced to 30 years with a 22-year period of parole ineligibility. Karim was sentenced to 24 years with a 19-year period of parole ineligibility. Earlier this year an Essex County jury of convicted the two of eluding, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and weapons charges, including possession of an assault firearm. In addition, the defendants were convicted of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Both defendants were acquitted of a double murder and other related charges.

On Sept. 15, 2010, Reginald Wilson, 26, and Ishmeal Bowers, 32, both of Newark were shot to death on Concord Street and Sherman Avenue in Newark.

On Sept. 19, 2010 the defendants were pursued by the Elizabeth Police from Elizabeth into Newark. During the chase, the defendants fired multiple gun shots at the police. The pursuit ended in Newark and two weapons, including a Mac-11 assault weapon, were recovered in the vehicle.

“We are satisfied with the sentence imposed by the court,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Adam Wells who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Eileen O’Connor. In addition to the current convictions, Crockett has four prior felony convictions and Karim has five prior felony convictions.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Anwar Crockett, 32, and Ali Ibn Karim, 31, both of Elizabeth, were convicted by an Essex County jury of eluding, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and weapons charges, including possession of an assault firearm. In addition, the defendants were convicted of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Both defendants were acquitted of a double murder and other related charges.

On Sept. 15, 2010, Reginald Wilson, 26, and Ishmeal Bowers, 32, both of Newark were shot to death on Concord Street and Sherman Avenue in Newark.

On Sept. 19, 2010 the defendants were pursued by the Elizabeth Police from Elizabeth into Newark. During the chase, the defendants fired multiple gun shots at the police. The pursuit ended in Newark and two weapons, including a Mac-11 assault weapon, were recovered in the vehicle.

The cases were tried together before the Honorable Martin Cronin, J.S.C.

Defendants are scheduled for sentencing May 3. When they are sentenced, they face extended prison terms because of their prior convictions.

“The jury reached a fair verdict in light of the available evidence and we thank them for their service, ’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Adam Wells, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Eileen O’Connor.

Both Defendants were convicted of the following counts related to events on Sept. 19, 2010 incident:

2 degree eluding
2 degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault against law enforcement officers
2 degree possession of an assault firearm (Mac-11)
2 degree unlawful possession of a weapon (.40 Pistol)
2 degree possession of an assault firearm for an unlawful purpose
2 degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
2 counts of possession of a defaced firearm (one for each gun)
Possession of Cocaine
Possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (Mac-11)
Possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (.40 Cal Pistol)

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County grand jury returned a 37-count indictment charging Anwar Crockett, 31, and Ali Karim, 30, both of Elizabeth with murder, felony murder, carjacking, robbery, arson, eluding and multiple drug and weapons charges.

Both men were charged with murdering Reginald Wilson, 27, of Elizabeth and Ismael Bowers, 31, of Newark on Sept. 15, 2010. The victims were shot while sitting in an Audi in front of a bar in the 300 block of Sherman Ave., in Newark. In addition to the murder charges, they were indicted for the attempted murder of Ainsley Taylor, who was also in the car. He was shot at, but was not shot.

Crockett and Karim were also indicted for robbing the victims and stealing their car. The indictment further alleges Crockett and Karim torched the Audi in the city of Elizabeth. Karim was also indicted for stealing a BMW on Sept. 15.

On Sept. 19, the two defendants refused to stop when directed to do so by Elizabeth police resulting in a police chase involving Elizabeth Police. The indictment alleges the defendants caused or attempted to cause serious bodily injury to six police officers.

The defendants used a .40 caliber handgun, 9 mm handgun and a Cobray SM-11 mm firearm – an assault weapon – to carry out their crimes. In addition, when they were arrested on Sept. 19, they were in possession of cocaine. They were indicted on charges of possession and possession with intent to distribute.

They are scheduled to be arraigned on July 5, 2011 before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, Judge of the Superior Court.

Both men face life in prison without possibility of parole if they are found guilty of all the charges.

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.