Jonathan L. Jeffrey, a 25-year old Bayonne man, was brought back to court in Jersey City yesterday on an additional charge related to his alleged involvement in a string of local robberies. According to the complaint, Jeffrey now faces an additional charge of Aggravated Assault for the purported pointing of a firearm at one of his robbery victims.
Authorities believe that Jeffrey and an alleged accomplice, David J. Emanuel, a 26-year old Kearny man, first robbed a bartender and patron of Massa’s Tavern (on Avenue A) on January 19th by beating them with a tire iron and stealing $300.
Jeffrey then appeared at Henrickson’s on January 22nd (while the establishment was closed), pointed a handgun at the manager and his girlfriend, and said something to the effect of, “You know what this is…don’t make it any harder than it has to be.” When the manager couldn’t open the safe, Jeffrey grabbed the girlfriend’s wallet and keys and fled. The victims saw him drive off in a white vehicle with a black quarter panel. The vehicle came back as being registered to Emanuel who refused to acknowledge his involvement in the robberies.
Jeffrey now faces charges of robbery, conspiracy, weapons posession, and aggravated assault (for the pointing of the gun).
For more information, see the Jersey Journal article entitled, “Bayonne robbery suspect faces added charge of pointing gun at man.”
Because of the alleged involvement of a handgun in the second robbery, the charge is elevated to a first degree (the most serious under our criminal code). A conviction for first degree robbery would subject Jeffrey to sentencing in the range of 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% that must be served before he would become eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act (“NERA”) for violent offenders.
Additionally, because there were two separate incidents involving two separate sets of victims, prosecutors would have grounds to seek consecutive sentences.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a violent offense in the State of New Jersey, don’t delay in hiring legal representation. Contact Alissa D. Hascup right away. She will attack your case and fight to get you the best possible result.
