ATLANTIC CITY — A 24-year-old Atlantic City man has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and a weapons offense in connection with a February shootout in which gunfire was exchanged between him and people inside a passing vehicle.
Kasean Griffin pleaded guilty Monday before Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor to second-degree aggravated assault and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending a six-year New Jersey State Prison sentence for the aggravated assault conviction. The sentence would be subject to the No Early Release Act, requiring Griffin to serve 85% before becoming eligible for parole.
The recommended sentence for the weapons offense is five years in state prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility.
The charges stem from a Feb. 16 shooting near Pennsylvania and Adriatic avenues in Atlantic City.
Atlantic City police responded to reports of gunfire and recovered evidence, including surveillance video, that showed what prosecutors described as a “shoot-out.”
According to the Prosecutor's Office, Griffin fired at a passing vehicle while people inside the vehicle fired shots back at him.
Despite the exchange of gunfire, authorities said no one is believed to have been struck.
Investigators tracked Griffin to a nearby residence following the shooting, prosecutors said. A subsequent search of the residence turned up two firearms loaded with hollow-point and ball ammunition.
Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced in October.
Source: Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
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Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
