By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Monday, April 6, Szakyus Wen, 22, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and criminal mischief.
These charges stem from five separate cases pending in Superior Court, ACPO officials said.
In the December robbery, according to Atlantic County officials, Wen approached an individual while displaying a firearm in an attempt to rob him. The male, who was the target of the robbery, retrieved his own firearm and shot Wen one time in the leg. Wen fled a few blocks away, where emergency medical services were called to treat Wen’s gunshot wound.
Following an investigation by the Atlantic City Police Department, Wen was ultimately arrested and charged with robbery and related offenses, ACPO officials say. The male who shot Wen was determined to be a person prohibited from possessing weapons, including firearms, based on his criminal history.
Atlantic County officials stated that he was charged and convicted of unlawful possession of his firearm as well. Both men will continue to serve their sentences in New Jersey State Prison.
Wen’s plea agreement included a term of eight years in prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, for the robbery, five years with three and a half years of parole ineligibility for the handgun offense, five years each for the controlled dangerous substance offenses, and 365 days in state prison for the criminal mischief, Atlantic Cunty authorities said.
ACPO officials said these terms will run concurrently with one another.
The No Early Release Act requires the defendant to serve eighty-five percent of his time in prison before being eligible for parole. Additionally, the defendant must be supervised on parole for an additional five years once released from prison, ACPO officials said.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 18, 2026.