East Orange Man Tried To Kill Federal Informant, Pleads Guilty: Feds

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County man pleaded guilty to multiple criminal counts on Tuesday after he tried to kill a federal informant who cooperated with the FBI, authorities said.

Kalil Bryant, 40, of East Orange, admitted that he attempted to kill a former federal informant by shooting him, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

According to prosecutors, the victim previously cooperated with the FBI and provided information about federal crimes committed by one of Bryant’s longtime associates. On Aug. 24, 2019 – in retaliation for that cooperation – Bryant pointed a loaded firearm at the victim, called him a “rat,” and shot him in the abdomen.

The victim received medical treatment and survived, authorities said.

But Bryant wasn’t finished with his threats, prosecutors continued:

“On Sept. 18, 2019, Bryant sent text messages to an individual associated with the victim stating: ‘Tell [the victim] he gonna Die soon for being a rat.’ This message was accompanied by a photograph of a rat and a gun. Bryant sent additional text messages in reference to the victim stating: ‘Prepare to bury Him soon’ and ‘Get your black dress ready.’”

Bryant pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to two counts of an indictment charging him with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and retaliating against a witness, victim or an informant. Following an eight-day trial, he was convicted on Feb. 17 on the other two counts of the indictment: transmitting threats in interstate commerce, and retaliating against a witness, victim or informant.

Prosecutors said the possession of ammunition by a convicted felon count to which Bryant pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison; the retaliating against a witness, victim or an informant count carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison; the transmitting threats in interstate commerce count carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison; the retaliating against a witness, victim or an informant count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 10, prosecutors said.

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