Crime & Safety
Mercer Co. Man Sentenced To Prison For Role In Trenton Riots
Earlja J. Dudley is the third of four men sentenced in connection with the May 2020 riot in Trenton, authorities said.
MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A Mercer County man was sentenced to two and half years in prison for his role in the 2020 Trenton riots that saw police cars set on fire and stores damaged, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Wednesday.
Earlja J. Dudley, 28, of Trenton, had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce.
Dudley was sentenced by videoconference on Wednesday.
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On May 31, 2020, protests were held throughout the country, including in Trenton, in response to the death of George Floyd. Although the Trenton protest was peaceful earlier in the day, violence erupted later.
A group proceeded down East State Street in downtown Trenton and began to riot, smashing storefronts, looting stores, and attacking multiple marked Trenton Police Department vehicles parked on the 100 Block of East State Street, according to court documents.
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Video footage captured Dudley and an unidentified man opening the hood of a police vehicle, authorities said. Dudley was then joined by another unidentified man who lit an object Dudley was holding. Dudley then placed the flaming object into the engine well of a Trenton Police Department vehicle, attempting to set the vehicle on fire, authorities said.
Dudley was arrested on June 17, 2020. In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Dudley to three years of supervised release.
Dudley is the third of four individuals sentenced in connection with the protest in Trenton, Sellinger said.
Killian F. Melecio was sentenced in June 2021 to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Justin D. Spry was sentenced in September 2021 to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Kadeem A. Dockery previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
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