Robert Rivera, 21, will have to serve four years of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Robert Rivera
TRENTON — A Hamilton man who was found guilty by a jury last year of threatening a group of people gathered on Genesee Street with a gun in July 2010 was sentenced to eight years in prison today.
Robert Rivera, 21, will have to serve four years of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. He was found guilty of four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Rivera pointed the gun at the group because he was worried that one of the men would turn him into police in connection with a stolen car, Assistant Prosecutor William Fisher said.
During his hearing, Rivera also admitted to having a weapon for an unlawful purpose during another, unrelated incident in December 2010 while he was out on bail after the first incident. For that charge he was sentenced to three years in prison, a sentence that will run concurrent to the eight year sentence.
“Pointing a handgun is a major concern for residents of this area and in this country,” Judge Mark Fleming said before he sentenced Rivera.
Rivera’s attorney Andrew Duclair said that his client was not threatening the group on Genesee Street that night, saying if he in fact pointed a gun at them, what was stopping him from shooting at them?
“If people are pulling out guns they are going to use them.” Duclair said.
Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5717.