MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Christian Rivera, 31, Dover, was sentenced in connection with three separate robberies of three individual victims that occurred in Rockaway, Wharton, and Roxbury, within a span of a week in April 2012.
The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. sentenced the defendant to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, of which he must serve 85 percent before being eligible for parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
On September 22, 2015, Rivera entered guilty pleas to three, first degree robberies, before the Honorable Stephen Taylor, P.J.Cr.
On April 18, 2012, the defendant approached the first victim in a parking lot in Rockaway Township. The defendant brandished a firearm and subsequently took the victim’s engagement ring.
On April 24, 2012, defendant approached the second victim at the Wharton Shop Rite. The defendant brandished a firearm and demanded that the victim give him her engagement ring. The defendant was not successful in his attempt.
On April 25, 2012, the defendant approached the third victim at the Succasunna Shop Rite. The defendant brandished a firearm and subsequently took the victim’s engagement ring.
Assistant Prosecutor Stephen G. Bollenbach represented the State during the prosecution of this matter.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Rockaway Township Police Department, Wharton Police Department, Roxbury Township Police Department, Denville Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the General Investigations Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
