NEWARK, N.J. — A federal judge has ruled that a Bergen County inmate serving a 30-year prison sentence for armed robbery may continue pursuing his challenge to the conviction after determining his habeas corpus petition survives initial judicial screening.
In an opinion issued Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Cox Arleo granted Tacuma Ashman’s request to stay his federal habeas case while he completes post-conviction relief proceedings in New Jersey state court.
Ashman is currently incarcerated at Northern State Prison in Newark after being convicted by a Bergen County jury of two counts of armed robbery and one count of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was sentenced on Feb. 4, 2022, to an aggregate 30-year prison term subject to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, requiring him to serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
According to the federal court opinion, Ashman appealed his conviction to the New Jersey Appellate Division, which affirmed most of the conviction in February 2025 but remanded the case for additional sentencing proceedings. The New Jersey Supreme Court later denied certification.
Ashman’s federal petition argues that he was denied a fair trial when the trial judge declared a mistrial for a co-defendant while allowing the case against him to proceed before the same jury.
He also challenges his sentence, alleging the trial court improperly punished him for maintaining his innocence, relied on dismissed charges during sentencing, and incorrectly applied sentencing factors under New Jersey law.
Rather than dismiss the federal petition because related claims remain pending in state court, the judge granted Ashman’s request to place the federal proceedings on hold while those state remedies are exhausted.
Federal law generally requires inmates to complete available state court appeals and post-conviction proceedings before federal courts consider constitutional challenges to state convictions.
The court found Ashman’s petition met the threshold requirements for initial review, allowing the case to remain active while preserving his ability to return to federal court after state proceedings conclude.
- Federal judge ruled Ashman’s habeas petition survives initial screening.
- Court granted a stay while New Jersey post-conviction proceedings continue.
- Ashman is serving a 30-year sentence for armed robbery and weapons convictions.
- The petition challenges both his trial and sentencing.
- No ruling has been made on the merits of his constitutional claims.
The ruling does not overturn Ashman’s conviction or sentence. Instead, it preserves his opportunity to pursue federal constitutional claims after New Jersey courts complete their review of his pending post-conviction relief petition.
FAQ
Who is Tacuma Ashman?
Ashman is a Bergen County inmate serving a 30-year prison sentence following convictions for armed robbery and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
What did the federal judge decide?
The court allowed his habeas corpus petition to survive initial screening and granted a stay while related post-conviction proceedings continue in state court.
Did the judge overturn the conviction?
No. The court made no determination on the merits of Ashman’s claims and did not vacate his conviction or sentence.
Why was the case stayed?
Federal courts generally require prisoners to exhaust available state court remedies before deciding constitutional claims in a federal habeas petition.
What happens next?
Ashman must continue litigating his post-conviction relief petition in New Jersey courts before the federal habeas proceedings resume.
Sources: United States District Court for the District of New Jersey opinion in Ashman v. The Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, Civil Action No. 2:26-cv-01068; New Jersey Appellate Division records; New Jersey Supreme Court records.
Tacuma Ashman, Bergen County, federal habeas petition, armed robbery, Northern State Prison, New Jersey District Court, Bergen County Superior Court, No Early Release Act, post-conviction relief, Newark
