By: Richard L. Smith
A Union County man has been sentenced to seven years in state prison for the attempted murder of a young woman during a violent assault in June 2024, according to a statement released by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel.
“I hope this sentence can provide some assurance to the victim and her family, as well as the community, that we will not tolerate these egregious offenses and will expend all of our efforts to bring offenders to justice,” Prosecutor Daniel said following the sentencing.
The defendant, Nelson Lata-Sanchez, 23, of Elizabeth, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder on January 21, 2025, before Union County Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez Jr.
The judge formally sentenced Lata-Sanchez on Friday, April 4, 2025, to seven years in state prison.
Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA), he must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
The charges stem from a disturbing incident that occurred on June 14, 2024. Elizabeth police officers were dispatched to an apartment on Fulton Street following a hang-up 911 call.
Upon arrival, officers found an 18-year-old woman suffering from extensive and severe injuries. Lata-Sanchez was immediately taken into custody at the scene.
Officers provided the victim with emergency medical assistance before she was rushed to University Hospital in Newark in critical condition.
The case was prosecuted in coordination with Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves and Police Chief Giacomo Sacca.
Officials emphasized the seriousness of the crime and their commitment to securing justice for victims of violent acts.
The sentence marks the conclusion of a case that shocked the Elizabeth community and drew swift action from law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office.