Atlantic City Resident Wanted in EHT Walmart Robbery

Egg Harbor Township is on the lookout for Matthew Sturdivant, a 24-year-old Atlantic City male. Sturdivant is wanted for assault and robbery connected to a local Walmart. The defendant allegedly attempted to leave the Walmart in Egg Harbor Township without paying for items. The loss prevention officer on-site approached the defendant, to which he responded by pinning her to the wall and spitting on her. He left the store with the items, driving off in a Hyundai Sonata.

The victim was not injured but was able to provide local authorities with a description that helped identify the suspect. He is now wanted for simple assault, robbery, and shoplifting.

The defendant also has a previous criminal record on two separate occasions. In 2018, he was arrested for pistol-whipping a man in Atlantic City before then robbing him and shooting after him. When the police arrived at the scene, he was charged with a police standoff. The official charges included attempted murder, robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and aggravated assault.

Potential Consequences of Robbery in New Jersey

Being convicted of second-degree robbery charges in New Jersey can lead to:

• Between 5-10 years in prison
• Legal fines of up to $150,000

A second-degree robbery charge can be bumped up to a first-degree robbery charge if the defendant attempts to kill someone or tries to inflict serious bodily harm to another person during the robbery. A first-degree robbery charge in New Jersey can lead to 10-20 years in prison and legal fines up to $200,000.

New Jersey also follows a No Early Release Act, which means that convicted offenders are required to complete a minimum of 85% of their sentence before they are eligible for parole.

A permanent criminal record can have other effects not related to the legal system, including difficulty finding or maintaining employment or housing, or even obtaining student or federal loans.

Crimes that involve multiple crimes, such as in this case, may lead to higher jail sentences and more expensive fines. A judge may order the defendant to serve the consequences of each charge consecutively. In most cases, a prior criminal record is considered when deciding the most appropriate sentencing.

Your Options Following Criminal Charges in New Jersey

If you’re charged with a crime in New Jersey, it’s important to consider your options as soon as possible. Robbery alone can lead to required time in jail. Depending on the details of your case, there may be defense options available that can reduce, or drop, your charges. 

A few common defenses in robbery cases include mistaken identity or intoxication. Robbery charges in New Jersey are not usually eligible for the pretrial intervention program. For this reason, it’s important that you reach out to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. If you have a criminal record, it may be even more important to consider your defense options as the court is likely to consider these during sentencing.

Contact an Experienced Mount Laurel Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Robbery Charges in New Jersey

Were you arrested or charged with robbery in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Michele Finizio have successfully represented clients charged with robbery charges in Evesham Township, Mount Laurel, Willingboro, Pemberton, and throughout New Jersey. Call (609) 230-0374 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 9 E. Main St, Moorestown, NJ 08057.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

Disorderly conduct consists of any improper behavior such as fighting, threats of violence, or creating a dangerous atmosphere.