Rape, Robbery conviction at Tropicana

Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2012           

3 Burlington County men convicted in rape, robbery at Tropicana in AC

By Danielle Camilli

Staff writer

 

 

MAYS LANDING — Three Burlington County men were found guilty of robbing a couple last year in the parking garage of the Tropicana casino and hotel in Atlantic City.

The Atlantic County jury also convicted two of the defendants of aggravated sexual assault of the female victim, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday.
Brandon Cooper, 22, of Beverly; Brent Johnson, 22, of Burlington City; and Leon Peterson, 19, of Lumberton, were convicted of first-degree robbery of the Freehold couple on May 28, 2011.

Cooper and Johnson were also found guilty of the robbery and rape of the female victim. They face up to 60 years in state prison when Judge Albert Garafolo sentences them Oct. 1, Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy said.

Peterson faces up to 20 years.

All three sentences will be subject to the state’s No Early Release Act, ensuring the men serve at least 85 percent of their terms before being eligible for parole.

The couple were robbed and assaulted about 4 a.m. in the Tropicana parking garage. Upon arrival, police were informed by security that two males had fled the scene and were inside an elevator, authorities said.

Police officers went to the elevator and, when it opened, arrested the two men, later identified as Johnson and Cooper.

Johnson was found to have a BB gun tucked into his waistband, authorities said. Peterson, who was also spotted by security, was arrested later.

The male victim, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the female sexual assault victim, was found bleeding in the hotel. He told police he had been punched and kicked in the face and head during a robbery, and had been separated from his female friend, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Upon locating the female, police were informed that the two men had sexually assaulted her, authorities said.

After an extensive investigation, Cooper, Johnson and Peterson were charged.

During the weeklong trial, which began last Tuesday, the defense argued that due to a poorly conducted investigation, police had failed to discover that other parties had committed the crimes.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crime/burlington-county-men-convicted-in-rape-robbery-at-tropicana-in/article_8d5cc3d5-d076-59e0-9e7a-3a584a50b296.html