A Newark man convicted in the assault and robbery of a casino patron he befriended will not serve jail time.
Robert Reed, 51, was permitted into a diversion program for substance abuse, despite the state's objections, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday. Restitution also was cut to a quarter of the $10,000 he stole.
Reed went to trial in May, when a jury found him guilty of second-degree robbery, and third-degree charges of aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The jury also convicted him of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon for the wine bottle he broke over the victim's head.
Reed befriended the victim after being at the table when the man won $20,000 at a hand of poker March 3, 2023, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, according to the charges.
The next morning, Reed talked to the victim who was checking, and asked for a ride, saying he missed his bus, according to testimony and evidence given during trial.
While walking to the victim’s vehicle in the parking garage, the defendant struck the victim over the head with a glass wine bottle and robbed him of $10,000 in cash and other personal belongings.
The victim received several head lacerations as a result of the assault.
Reed fled but Hard Rock security and surveillance were able to identify him by his player’s card information.
He faced five to 10 years in prison at a sentencing originally set for July 18, 2024, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
His defense attorney applied for Recovery Court on Sept. 12, over the state’s objection.
Formerly known as Drug Court, Recovery Court is a program aimed at rehabilitating non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues and avoiding incarceration.
Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Wilson denied the state's objection, saying that “the instant charges alone do not appear to be reflective of any danger the defendant may pose to the community.”
Reed was released last month.
The judge also lowered restitution to $2,500 of the $10,000 stolen, finding that Reed could not pay the full amount.
