Essex County Man Admits Shooting of Former Federal Informant

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man admitted that he attempted to kill a former federal informant by shooting him, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Kalil Bryant, 40, of East Orange, New Jersey pleaded guilty on May 23, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez 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. Bryant was convicted on Feb. 17, 2023, on the other two counts of the indictment – transmitting threats in interstate commerce and retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant following – following an eight-day trial.

According to documents filed in this case, statements made in court, and the evidence at trial:

The victim in this case 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,” then shot the victim in the abdomen. The victim received medical treatment and survived.

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.”

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, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict and today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Phyllis Bindi, Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, Metuchen Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Arthur Flaherty and the U.S. Marshals for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamel Semper and Shontae D. Gray.