New York Man Convicted in 2025 Nutley Attempted Murder, Essex County Prosecutor Says
An Essex County jury convicted a 66-year-old Newburgh man of attempted murder in the July 4, 2025 shooting of a 19-year-old outside his mother's Nutley home.
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced that a jury has convicted Armando Villareal Mena, 66, of Newburgh, New York, in connection with the 2025 attempted murder of a 19-year-old man outside his mother's home in Nutley, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
On Oct. 23, 2026, following one day of jury deliberations, the jury found Mena guilty of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated assault, according to the prosecutor's office and published reporting on the announcement. Prosecutors said the convictions stem from a coordinated attack against Jahniel Perez on July 4, 2025, outside his mother's Nutley home, in which Perez was wounded four times.
Mena is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 18, 2026, and faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years, according to the prosecutor's office.
Authorities encourage anyone with information concerning the shooting or other criminal activity to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office confidential tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC (1-877-847-7432).
