FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org

TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor

WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org

DATE: Tuesday, May 30, 2017

JURY FINDS JERSEY CITY MAN GUILTY IN 2013 ROBBERY

On Thursday, May 25, 2017, Raheem Porter, age 23, of Jersey City was convicted by a Hudson County jury of second-degree robbery.

On September 11, 2013, the 17 year-old victim, who attended New Jersey City University, was walking to school on Bidwell Avenue near the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City when two men travelling on bicycles approached him and then forced him onto the steps in a corner of the nearby Sacred Heart Church. One of the men, Porter, demanded the victim’s gold chain and his cell phone, and threatened to make his “bullets count” if the victim did not comply. The victim recognized Porter and later identified him for the police.

The jury deliberated for approximately 2 hours before returning their decision of guilty on the robbery count.

Prosecutor Esther Suarez said, “We thank the jury for dedicating a part of their lives for this important service and we respect their decision.” Suarez also credited Jersey City Police Department detectives for their detailed investigation.

The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Macurdy.

The Honorable John Young, Jr, J.S.C. presided over the trial. Judge Young is scheduled to sentence the defendant on July 14, 2017. Porter faces five to ten years in prison and 85 percent of that time must be served before he is eligible for parole.