Raheem Sylla, 24, pointed a loaded gun at the driver of a Chevy Tahoe on Sept. 22, 2014
An Irvington man was sentenced to 114 months in prison during an appearance in Newark federal court on Monday. (Star-Ledger file photo) NEWARK - An Irvington man was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison Monday for flashing a weapon while carjacking a vehicle last year.
Raheem Sylla, 24, was handed a 114-month term by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas during an appearance at federal court in Newark, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement.
Authorities initially charged Sylla with theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence and intimidation and weapons offenses in connection with the carjacking.
He was accused of approaching a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe on a Newark street during the early morning hours of Sept. 22, 2014 before pointing a loaded gun at the driver and ordering them out of the car.
MORE: Police break up Irvington 'Tupperware party' serving more than $20K in heroin, meth
An unidentified accomplice also forced a passenger out of the vehicle, and the two took off. A Rutgers University police officer attempted to stop the car for a traffic violation, but they refused to stop until Sylla crashed the car, according to court documents.
The two were apprehended shortly thereafter, and police found a gun still in the car.
In addition to the 114-month prison term, Sylla will be subject to three years of supervision after his release, according to Fishman.
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
