Essex County Man Admits Robbing 14 Hotels In 2 States: Prosecutor

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County man admitted that he robbed 14 hotels in New Jersey and New York, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Tremone Burnett, 46, of Orange, pleaded guilty Wednesday in a Newark federal court to conspiracy to commit robbery and threaten physical violence, as well as using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of New Jersey said that from April 24, 2014, through June 19, 2014, Burnett robbed 12 New Jersey hotels and two New York hotels at gunpoint.

The New Jersey hotels were located in: Carteret, Lebanon, Newark, Rockaway, Secaucus, Avenel, Parsippany, Paramus, Weehawken and Edison.

The New York hotels were located in Airmont and Nanuet, prosecutors said.

In each robbery, Burnett wielded a handgun and, in some instances, tied the victim’s hands and feet. During one of the robberies, Burnett discharged his firearm, prosecutors said.

The count of conspiracy to commit robbery and threaten violence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, prosecutors stated.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18, prosecutors said.

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