Essex County Carjacking Attempt; Man Admits Role In Incident Near I-78

NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County man has admitted his role in an armed carjacking attempt that took place near the I-78 West entrance ramp in Newark last year, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Antwan Malone, 34, of Newark, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted carjacking, one count of using and carrying a firearm, which was brandished during and in relation to the attempted carjacking, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base.

Prosecutors released the following statement about the case:

“On Feb. 22, 2021, law enforcement officers responded to the area of the I-78 West entrance ramp and Irvine Turner Boulevard in Newark on a report of an attempted carjacking with a weapon. They learned that Malone had pulled up beside a BMW M5 SUV that was stopped at a stop light and blocked the BMW’s ability to enter I-78. Malone approached the vehicle brandishing a handgun, and then pointed the gun at the driver’s face while repeatedly telling the driver to either exit the vehicle or Malone would shoot them. The driver was able to escape by ramming the BMW into Malone’s vehicle and entering the I-78 entrance ramp. Malone fired two shots at the BMW.”

Malone also admitted that he possessed cocaine base and heroin with intent to distribute on Jan. 12, 2021, prosecutors said.

The count of attempted carjacking carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison. The count of discharging of a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other charges. The count of possessing heroin and cocaine base with intent to distribute carries a statutory maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum fine of $1 million, twice the gross profits or other proceeds to the defendant, whichever is greater, prosecutors said.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 23.

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