NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II announced July 26 that an Essex County jury has convicted Lateef Dennis, 40, of Newark, guilty of one count of aggravated assault and one count of spitting on a police officer.
On April 17, 2017, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Newark police officers responded to a domestic violence incident in the 700 block of South 11th Street in Newark.
According to testimony at trial, when the officers arrived, they witnessed an unconscious man on the front lawn of the residence. Officers observed Dennis, who was over the unconscious man, repeatedly punching the victim in the face.
After the man awoke, officers discovered he was Dennis’ uncle. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he remained for three days, undergoing surgery and treatment. Doctors observed that the victim’s lower jaw was broken on both sides, he had three broken ribs, a broken cheek bone and contusions all over his face.
After police officers handcuffed Dennis, he spit in a police officer’s face. That officer was transported to the hospital to have the spit cleaned from his nostrils and eye.
On July 25, following a three-day trial before Superior Court Judge Michael Petrolle, an Essex County jury convicted Dennis of aggravated assault on his uncle and spitting on a police officer. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7 before Petrolle.
Dennis has six prior felony convictions for animal cruelty, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, drug possession and possession with intent to distribute. Most recently in Essex County, he was convicted on March 18 for animal cruelty for beating a pitbull. He is remanded to New Jersey State Prison, where he is currently serving an 18-month sentence for the animal cruelty conviction.
Assistant Prosecutor Jason Lesnevec, who successfully tried Dennis on this case and the animal cruelty case, said, “It is unfortunate that the victim in this case elected not to testify at trial; however, this verdict signifies that the state of New Jersey can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt even when the jury does not hear from the victim.”
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