Union County Man Admits Role In Armed Carjacking Involving Assault-Style Rifle, Feds Say

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A Scotch Plains man has admitted in federal court that he participated in an armed carjacking in Essex County involving an assault-style rifle, federal prosecutors said.

Elijah Lott, 28, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to federal prosecutors.

The incident happened on Aug. 6, 2020, in Irvington, authorities said. Prosecutors said several armed individuals confronted a driver and forced the person out of a vehicle before taking it.

Federal authorities said one of the suspects, Quadir Whitehead, 32, of Newark, got behind the wheel of the stolen vehicle and drove away. Whitehead has also pleaded guilty in connection with the case, according to federal officials. A third person believed to have been involved has not been publicly identified.

Prosecutors said an assault-style rifle was among the weapons used during the incident.

Lott is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 21 in Newark federal court. Whitehead is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 14.