A man convicted of a violent carjacking in South Orange NJ has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
The carjacking occurred in 2011. The victim was a 21-year-old woman who was approached by the 24-year-old defendant and forced into her car.
The defendant told the victim that he was carrying a gun. He demanded that she hand over all of her valuables, including an iPhone and cash. The defendant then climbed into the passenger seat of the woman’s vehicle and demanded that she drive. While the victim drove the car, the defendant fondled her breast and put his hands in her pants.
The victim was eventually apprehended by police.
After a six-day trial in 2013, the defendant was convicted of carjacking, robbery, criminal restraint, and aggravated sexual contact.
At sentencing, the judge noted that the defendant had a lengthy criminal record. This factored into the judge’s decision to sentence the defendant to 40 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Carjacking is one of the most serious offenses in the New Jersey Criminal Code. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2, carjacking is a first degree felony. Anyone convicted of carjacking, without any other charges, can be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.
For more information, view the NJ.com article entitled “Newark man sentenced to 40 years for South Orange carjacking, sexual assault.”
