NEWARK — A Newark man will spend the remainder of his life behind bars after a jury conviction for two armed robberies and a murder that took place on New Year’s Eve 2023, officials said.
Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler imposed a 100-year prison sentence this week on 35-year-old Jarell Riles following his February jury conviction on charges that included first-degree felony murder, first-degree murder, robbery and weapons offenses.
What happened on Dec. 31, 2023
According to prosecutors, shortly before 7 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2023, Riles robbed a man at gunpoint on Vessey Street, forcing the victim to the ground and pistol-whipping him. He then drove a rented Nissan Rogue a short distance to Malvern Street, where he encountered 67-year-old livery cab driver Jose Gaona as Gaona was getting into a Go Car Service cab.
Prosecutors said Riles threatened Gaona at gunpoint and robbed him of personal belongings. When Gaona attempted to get back into his car, Riles shot him repeatedly in the back; Gaona was struck seven times and was pronounced dead at the scene after an off-duty officer at a nearby ATM performed CPR.
“The 35-year-old convicted killer is not eligible for parole for at least 85 years.”
Investigation and evidence
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens and investigators linked the rented Nissan Rogue to the shootings. The vehicle had been rented on Riles’ behalf and was also connected to a drive-by shooting days earlier in Jersey City that left another person wounded, according to the affidavit filed by investigators.
Riles was convicted at a February trial presided over by Judge Wigler.
- Defendant: Jarell Riles, 35, Newark
- Victim: Jose Gaona, 67, Newark resident and livery cab driver
- Sentence: 100 years; not eligible for parole for at least 85 years
Charges and penalties
| Charge | Verdict / Penalty |
|---|---|
| First-degree felony murder | Guilty — part of 100-year sentence |
| First-degree murder | Guilty — part of 100-year sentence |
| Robbery and weapons offenses | Guilty — included in sentencing |
The sentence means Riles is likely to spend the rest of his life in state prison, with eligibility for parole delayed by decades.
Local residents and those who travel Newark streets in the early morning are reminded that the case originated from street-level robberies, one of which escalated to deadly gunfire. Prosecutors and investigators emphasized the links between the rented vehicle and other violent incidents in the region during their case.
Officials in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office oversaw the prosecution; the case was tried and sentenced in Essex County Superior Court.
Further actions by law enforcement, victim services and community organizations in response to the killing were not detailed in the materials provided by prosecutors.
