Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., sentenced John Staten, 32, of Orange to 18 years in state prison for killing Arthur Downey.

In March 2010 Downey, 27, of Maplewood was killed by Staten. The two met through a telephone chat service. Downey picked up Staten and drove him to his Maplewood home. Downey’s body was discovered by his roommate the next morning. An autopsy determined Downey, a chef employed by Rutgers University, died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.

Staten was originally charged with murder, felony murder, burglary and weapons offense. As part of a plea agreement, on May 15, 2012 Staten entered a guilty plea to first degree aggravated manslaughter and weapons offenses.

Assistant Prosecutor Margarita Rivera, who handled the sentencing, argued for a 20-year sentence. Vazquez imposed an 18-year sentence requested by the defense lawyer. Under the No Early Release Act (NERA), Staten must serve 85 percent of his 18-year sentence before he is eligible for parole. After his release he will be on parole for five years.

“As his family so eloquently stated, Mr. Downey was a young aspiring chef who had so much to live for and his life was taken for no reason. This was a terrible tragedy,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Rivera.

Staten has five prior convictions and 17 prior arrests. He has been incarcerated since Oct. 20, 2010 when he was arrested for killing Downey.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that John Staten, 32, of Orange plead guilty yesterday to aggravated manslaughter and weapons offenses for killing 27-year-old Arthur Downey, III, at his Maplewood home.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Staten will be sentenced to 18 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 19, 2012 by the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C. Staten will be sentenced under the No Early Release Act, which requires him to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

On March 14, 2010, the two men met through a telephonic chat service. Yesterday, Staten, admitted he beat Downey with an iron just hours after they met then covered Downey’s head with a plastic bag. The cause of death was bludgeoning and asphyxiation. A roommate discovered Downey’s body the next morning.

Assistant Prosecutor Margarita R. Rivera, who handled the guilty plea, said, “It is our hope that the 18-year sentence will bring some solace to Mr. Downey’s family.’’

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an indictment was returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging defendant John Staten, 32, of Orange with the March 14, 2010 murder of Arthur S. Downey, III.

Staten and Downey, 27, met in a chat room and then arranged to meet in person. Downey was murdered by bludgeoning and asphyxiation which occurred at his home in Maplewood. He was found unresponsive in his bed.

In addition to murder, Staten was indicted on two weapons offenses arising from his unlawful use of an iron as a bludgeon. He was also indicted on theft charges for unlawfully taking Downey’s 2007 Chevrolet and stealing an X Box and other property valued at over $500.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on these charges on July 5 before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, Judge of the Superior Court.

If convicted of all the charges, Staten would face life in prison.

These are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until he either pleads guilty or is found guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips hotline at 1-877-TIPS-7432 (1-877-847-7432).