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Press Release

Essex County, N.J., Man Charged In Armed Robberies Of New Jersey Hotels

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – An Orange, New Jersey, man was taken into federal custody today and is expected to make his initial court appearance this afternoon for allegedly committing six armed robberies of New Jersey hotels, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Tremone Burnett, 42, is charged by complaint with six counts of committing a Hobbs Act robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. He was previously charged with related offenses by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and has been in state custody. Burnett is expected to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint unsealed today:

From May 9, 2014, through June 19, 2014, Burnett robbed at least six New Jersey hotels at gunpoint: in Carteret, Lebanon, Newark, Rockaway, and Secaucus. In each of the robberies, Burnett pointed a handgun at a hotel employee and, in some instances, tied the victim’s hands and feet. During the course of the robberies, Burnett also variously stole uncashed employee checks, safe deposit boxes, an ATM, and a personal credit card in addition to cash.    

The Hobbs Act charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven 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.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges, along with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark Police Department. He also credited the Carteret, Edison, Lebanon, Rockaway, Parsippany, Weehawken and Woodbridge Township police departments in New Jersey; and the Clarkstown and Ramapo police departments in New York – along with the New Jersey State Police and the Bergen County, Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, and Morris County Prosecutors’ Offices for their work on this case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry A. Kamar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: Assistant Federal Public Defender Chester Keller Esq., Newark

Burnett, Tremone Complaint

Updated August 21, 2015