Newark -- Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted James Johnson, 25, of Irvington of carjacking and five other counts, following a five-day trial before the Honorable John Zunic, Judge of the Superior Court.
"While he is only 25 years old, this defendant poses a threat to the community. Even before this conviction, this defendant had a long criminal history,'' said Assistant Prosecutor Allison Korodan, who tried the case. "When he is sentenced we will be seeking an extended prison term.''
Sentencing is scheduled for June 17. For carjacking alone, Johnson faces up to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Today's conviction arises from a carjacking that occurred on Dec. 9, 2013. The victim, a man in his 40s who was in the city of Newark on business, was traveling in the vicinity of Springfield Avenue and South 14th Street when he was rear ended by someone driving a Range Rover, according to Assistant Prosecutor Korodan.
When the victim got out of the car to inspect the damage, the passenger in the Range Rover exited the car and pulled a gun on the victim demanding the keys to the vehicle. When the victim refused, Johnson ripped a gold chain from the victim's neck.
Johnson then walked back to the Range Rover but came back and jumped into the driver side of the victim's car and sped away, leaving the victim dangling from the passenger side. Eventually, the victim escaped and Johnson made off with the car. The victim's wallet was in the car.
The next day the victim's credit card was used at the hospital gift shop at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center to buy balloons, teddy bears and other items totaling $140. Johnson was identified on security cameras as one of the two men in the store making the purchases. The second man was never identified.
Today Johnson was convicted of first degree carjacking, second degree conspiracy to commit a carjacking, possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, credit card theft and forgery. He was acquitted of aggravated assault.
In addition to the conviction today, Johnson has more than 10 adult arrests. He was previously convicted of manslaughter, eluding twice, two burglaries and receiving stolen property -- a stolen car.