Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Rakeem Y. Johnson, 37, of Newark has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Abner Dominguez, 36, of Jersey City.
The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court.
In July, an Essex County jury convicted Johnson of first degree armed robbery, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose following a trial before Judge Sules.
“The life sentence imposed by Judge Sules today ensures that this defendant, Rakeem Johnson, will never again be able to shoot someone fatally. This is his second homicide. He has clearly and repeatedly demonstrated that he poses a serious and ongoing threat to the community,’’ said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Roger Imhof, who tried the case.
The murder occurred on Dec. 22, 2015 at approximately 9:50 p.m. Members of the Newark Police Department responded to the area of 93 Roseville Avenue on a call of a shooting in progress.
When the officers arrived, they discovered Dominguez, 36, of Jersey City lying on the ground next to the open driver’s side door of his 2005 Acura which was running at the time.
He was suffering from a gunshot wound. Dominguez was rushed to University Hospital, where he later died.
At trial, the state’s theory was that Dominguez was a robbery victim.
Witnesses identified Johnson running from the scene with a gun after hearing shots. In addition, a palm print was found on the outside passenger side of the vehicle where the defendant entered.
Surveillance video captured Johnson touching the vehicle as he entered it.
At the time of the Dominguez homicide, Johnson was on parole for aggravated manslaughter. Officials said he had just finished serving a 17-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison for a Sept. 2, 1998 homicide.
Johnson had been out of prison for just over two years when he killed Dominguez.