Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Shawn Rainey, 20, of Newark pled guilty today just as the jury was about to begin deliberations in his robbery trial.
Following a two week-trial before the Honorable Michael A. Petrolle, Judge of the Superior Court, Rainey pled guilty to one count of robbery, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of possession of heroin.
Rainey was on trial for the robbery case but also had an open pending aggravated sexual assault case.
As part of the plea agreement, he also pled guilty today to one count of first degree aggravated sexual assault while using a handgun.
Rainey admitted to raping an 18-year-old stranger in Irvington Park in October of 2012. He also pled guilty to committing a series of robberies in August of 2014.
Rainey was originally charged in three separate robberies, including one in which the victim was shot.
The plea agreement calls for Rainey to be sentenced to 17 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act (NERA), he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
The plea agreement also calls for him to register under Megan’s Law and he will be placed on lifetime supervision when he is released from prison.
Assistant Prosecutor Sarah Jolly, who tried the case, said, “The state believes this is a fair resolution to multiple matters that result in keeping a violent offender off the streets for many years.’’
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18 before Judge Petrolle.