By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that a Trenton man was sentenced today to 192 months in prison for committing a series of carjackings, armed robberies, and firearms offenses.
U.S. Philip R. Sellinger said Joshua M. Perez, 25, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner to a five-count Superseding Information, charging him with two counts of carjacking, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
Judge Castner imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court, officials stated.
According to documents filed in this case:
Officials said that on Oct. 10, 2020, Perez and his unidentified conspirators carjacked two individuals in Trenton.
As the victims were exiting their car, Perez and his conspirators got out of a white sedan, pointed handguns at the victims, and robbed them of their money, cell phones, and vehicle, authorities say.
According to officials, on Dec. 5, 2020, Perez and an unidentified conspirator carjacked another individual in Trenton.
As the victim was sitting in his parked car, Perez and his conspirator ran up to the victim’s window, pointed handguns at the victim, and ordered the victim out of the car, officials say.
Officials stated they stole the victim’s money and cell phone and fled the scene in the victim’s car.
Approximately one hour later, officials said, Perez and multiple unidentified conspirators used the victim’s carjacked vehicle as the getaway car in the armed robbery of a nearby gas station.
Authorities say Perez and his conspirators arrived at the gas station in the victim’s vehicle.
As Perez entered the gas station, one of his conspirators ordered two victims outside the station to the ground at gunpoint and pistol-whipped them, officials say.
Upon entering the gas station, Perez robbed the attendant at gunpoint, emptying the cash register, officials said.
According to officials, on Dec. 7, 2020, law enforcement officers responded to Perez’s residence to execute a search warrant.
During the court-authorized search of Perez’s residence, Perez pointed a firearm at the officers and was placed under arrest, officials say.
In addition to the prison term, officials said, Judge Castner sentenced Perez to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution to the victims of his offense.