By: Richard L. Smith
An Essex County man has admitted to committing a series of robberies and a carjacking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Monday. 
Federal officials said Deion Nance, 28, pleaded guilty on June 27, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to a five-count information charging him with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of carjacking, and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Court documents and statements reveal that on December 30, 2020, Nance used a firearm to steal a 2016 Toyota Corolla.
He pointed a handgun at the vehicle's occupant, pulled the victim out, and pushed the firearm into her face before driving away in the car.
Nance also admitted to robbing two restaurants on January 4, 2021. In the first robbery, he pointed a loaded firearm at an employee and demanded money, receiving $176.
Later that same day, he attempted to rob another restaurant by threatening an employee and pointing a firearm.
The charges against Nance carry severe penalties.
Carjacking is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, each count of Hobbs Act robbery by up to 20 years, and using a firearm during a crime of violence by up to life in prison.
Each firearms offense carries a statutory minimum of five years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence.
All counts also carry a potential fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2024.
