Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that two men have been indicted for shooting at the patrol vehicle of a Pemberton Township police officer seven years ago in the Sunbury Village section of Pemberton Township.
Tayron Brown, 24, of Trenton, was indicted on charges of Attempted Murder (First Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree).
Brown’s co-defendant, Kavon Carter, 23, of Pemberton Township, was indicted on charges of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree).
The indictment was returned July 16 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina. An arraignment will be held soon in Superior Court. Brown is presently incarcerated in New Jersey state prison, and Carter is in the Burlington County Jail, both for unrelated offenses.
Brown and Carter were initially charged in September 2019, however the opportunity to seek an indictment was delayed because grand juries were not convened during the pandemic.
The investigation revealed that an officer was parked along Lemmon Avenue on September 24, 2014, when a bullet fired in his direction struck the roof of the marked patrol vehicle, approximately six inches above the officer’s head.
The investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Pemberton Township Police Department. Brown and Carter are being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Mike Angermeier, supervisor of the BCPO Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
Tayron Brown, 24, of Trenton, was indicted on charges of Attempted Murder (First Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree). Brown’s co-defendant, Kavon Carter, 23, of Pemberton Township, was indicted on charges of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree).
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 26, 2021, Marcus Samuels, 32, of South Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., to ten years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(1), relative to the shooting death of Willie Love, 27, of Beachwood, that occurred in South Toms River on June 8, 2015. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, meaning that Samuels will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Additionally, Samuels was sentenced to ten years NJSP as a result of a previously entered guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5a(1), and five years NJSP in connection with an unrelated charge of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b, relative to an incident that occurred in Seaside Heights on May 3, 2015. Samuels pled guilty to all charges before Judge Ryan on June 4, 2021. The sentences will run concurrently.
On June 8, 2015, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Officers of the South Toms River Police Department responded to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a report of a male having suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. The male was identified to be Willie Love, who later succumbed to his injuries at Community Medical Center.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and South Toms River Police Department revealed that Samuels – who was driving a 2004 Dodge Nitro – pulled alongside a vehicle being operated by Mr. Love which contained three passengers. Samuels then recklessly fired a handgun into Mr. Love’s vehicle, striking Mr. Love, which led to his death. Samuels turned himself into law enforcement in the presence of his attorney on June 12, 2015, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date.
While Samuels was detained in the Ocean County Jail pending trial on these charges, he conspired with other inmates to influence a witness into retracting or changing a statement previously provided to law enforcement in connection with the investigation.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Chief Narcotics Assistant Prosecutor William Porter and Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, South Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Science, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Samuels’ state prison sentence.
22 Year Law Enforcement Veteran To Forfeit Public Employment
July 26, 2021
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A Monmouth County Corrections officer has pled guilty after shoplifting in Ocean Township and West Long Branch, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey.
Suzanne Simone, 53, of Ocean Township, a 22-year-veteran of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, pled guilty today before Judge Ellen Torregossa-O’Connor to fourth degree Shoplifting in connection with multiple instances where she failed to pay for items at local Target and Home Depot stores. Simone’s plea calls for her to pay restitution to both stores in a total amount of $1,320.90. Simone has also forfeited public office in New Jersey. She will receive non-custodial probation and is not allowed to return to either store.
This follows an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office which revealed that on multiple occasions, Simone “skip scanned” items, essentially scanning multiple smaller items, and not scanning larger items or pretending to scan them and leaving the store without paying for them. In multiple instances, Simone was wearing her uniform while committing the theft. Some of the stolen goods were later recovered from her residence.
Simone is currently suspended from her position at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.
Simone is represented by Robert Holden Esq., of Shrewsbury.
Citizens may report concerns via the following: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line – 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878); or E-mail at: corruption@mcponj.org write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor announced that the owner of an Ocean County real estate improvement company has been charged in connection with an alleged scheme to provide false payroll information in order to obtain lower premiums on workers’ compensation coverage.
Zechariah Greenspan, 37, owner of Mulberry Management, L.L.C. (“Mulberry Management”) in Lakewood, was indicted July 7, 2021 on second-degree charges of insurance fraud, theft by deception and misconduct by a corporate official for allegedly providing false and misleading statements to New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group in order to obtain lower premiums on the workers’ compensation insurance he is legally obligated to provide employees.
According to the indictment, between July 2016, and March 2018, Greenspan committed five or more acts of insurance fraud by submitting false documents, making false or misleading statements, and omitting material facts that misrepresented the amount of wages that Mulberry Management paid to its individual uninsured subcontractors, and that Mulberry Management had paid an insured subcontractor – ZG Holdings, L.L.C. (“ZG Holdings”), which he also owns – for subcontractor work.
Greenspan committed theft by deception by obtaining workers compensation insurance at a lower premium by significantly underreporting his payroll to individual uninsured subcontractors, and by submitting false records indicating Mulberry Management had paid ZG Holdings for subcontractor work and that ZG Holdings had sufficient workers’ compensation coverage for said work, when in fact, he knew that Mulberry Management had not paid ZG Holdings for subcontractor work and/or that ZG Holdings lacked sufficient workers’ compensation insurance for said work, according to the indictment.
Greenspan is charged with misconduct by a corporate official for using Mulberry Management and/or ZG Holdings to commit the aforementioned crimes, according to the indictment.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000.
Deputy Attorney General Melvina D. Fennell presented the case to the State Grand Jury for the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor under the supervision of Private Insurance Bureau Chief Cheryl Maccaroni. Under the supervision of Lieutenant Anne Hayes, Investigator Thomas Andreopoulos coordinated the investigation with Analysts Terry Worthington and Jordan Thompson, along with Detective Matthew Armstrong.
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Tracy Thompson noted that many cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting the Web site at www.NJInsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution, and conviction for insurance fraud.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On July 18, Conservation Police Officers Nicole Carman and Michael Bickerton investigated a group of four out-of-state individuals who were collecting freshwater clams from Doctors Creek in Allentown, New Jersey. This creek is in the immediate vicinity of a sewage treatment plant. The waterway is deemed condemned by NJDEP due to pollution, rendering shellfish dangerous to public health if consumed. Officers apprehended the individuals in possession of approximately 64,000 corbicula clams, which are an invasive species. Thanks to a call from an observant passer-by, these clams were seized before they could find their way into the food supply chain. Please contact the 24-Hour DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP if you observe individuals collecting freshwater clams or mussels.
CRANBURY TOWNSHIP, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Two separate serious crashes on the NJ Turnpike in the area of Exit 8A left the North Bound outer “truck” lanes of the NJ Turnpike closed and traffic backed almost 10 miles to Exit 7A in Robbinsville.
Monroe Township Fire Rescue 23, Ladder 23, Engine 23, Tanker 23, Chief 23, Squad 57 and Monroe Twp EMS responded to the the NJTP for 2 separate calls. 1st call was for an overturned Commercial Vehicle in the NB Car Lanes. While responding, a 2nd call for a 2nd Commercial MVC with heavy entrapment just south of the first call was received. Crews worked quickly to free the driver from the vehicle.
MidJersey.news has reached out to NJ State Police for official information and when that becomes available the story will be updated.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Burlington County, New Jersey, man is expected to make his initial appearance today after being charged with trafficking over three kilograms of methamphetamine and illegally possessing unregistered firearms as a previously convicted felon, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Nicholas Layton, 41, of Mount Holly, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more methamphetamine, three counts of unlawful possession of unregistered firearms and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He is scheduled to appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in Court:
In December 2018, Layton and an unnamed conspirator were driving separate vehicles from Arizona back to New Jersey. Both vehicles were the subject of a motor vehicle stop in Crawford County, Arkansas. Subsequent investigation revealed that the conspirator’s vehicle contained four wrapped bundles of suspected narcotics, later confirmed to be approximately three kilograms of methamphetamine. According to receipts located in both vehicles, Layton rented both cars and the cars traveled together through multiple states before being stopped in Arkansas. Both Layton and his conspirator were charged by the State of Arkansas in connection with the methamphetamine; Layton was released by authorities.
In May and June of 2019, Layton sold methamphetamine on three separate occasions to confidential informants under the surveillance of law enforcement in Pemberton and Mount Holly, New Jersey.
On July 17, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Layton’s residence in Mount Holly where they located:
1) a black “AR” style, 5.56 x 45mm semi-automatic rifle, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a Privately Made Firearm (“PMF”);
2) a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a PMF;
3) a firearm silencer, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a PMF; and
4) eight “M-Class” explosive devices
On July 17, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at another residence associated with Layton in Southampton, New Jersey, where they located:
5) a Norcino, SKS type, 762 caliber, semi-automatic rifle (the “Norcino”), bearing serial number 244931DUP;
6) a 12-gauge caliber Browning shotgun (the “Browning”), bearing serial number 13324 S69; and
7) nine “M-Class” explosive devices
Layton was not found at either location during the execution of the search warrants. On or about Aug. 4, 2019, Layton was found at a residence in Marlton, New Jersey. At the time of his arrest, Layton was found in possession of approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine and an additional explosive device. The conspiracy and the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine counts are punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a fine of $10 million; the possession of an unregistered firearm is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000; and the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and fine of $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark; the DEA Fort Smith Post of Duty under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley, Arkansas; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C, Taylor, Newark Field Division; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina; and officers of the Arkansas State Police, under the direction of Chief William J. Bryant, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Gasparian of the Criminal Division in Trenton
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
21-335
Defense counsel: Brian P. Reilly, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
CAPE MAY, N.J. — The Coast Guard rescued seven people from a sport fishing boat beset by weather 69 miles southeast of Cape May Sunday.
A small craft advisory for the area indicated 4-to-6-foot seas with winds gusting up to 30 knots.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received the initial report from Coast Guard Sector Virginia at 1:19 p.m., stating that a 40-foot sport fishing boat with seven people aboard had been beset by weather with seas reaching approximately 10 feet.
The crew of the vessel activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) when conditions continued to deteriorate. Coast Guard crews aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Indian River were launched to assist.
All seven people were hoisted and taken to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City where local EMS was standing by to assist.
“One of the scariest and most unpredictable places you can be is out on the water in a storm,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Petrenko, an operations specialist with the Sector Delaware Bay command center. “Fortunately, they had life jackets, a registered EPIRB and a radio, which they used to call for help. If any one of those pieces had been missing, we might not have been as successful as we were.”
Aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C. rescue seven people aboard a 40-foot sport fishing boat beset by weather 60 nautical miles southeast of Cape May, N.J., July 25, 2021. Mariners are encouraged to check weather forecasts before heading out on the water. U.S. Coast Guard video.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 11:18 p.m. last night (July 25, 2021) the Hamilton Township Fire Department was dispatched to assist Hamilton Township Police Department in a search for a missing Hamilton Township person when splashing noises were heard in the water in Gropp’s Lake. Hamilton Township Fire Department responded and searched the lake with three boats and other firefighters searched the shore line. Hamilton Township Police searched the shore lines as well as other neighborhoods surrounding the lake. The New Jersey State Police was on I-195 in the area of the lake with several cars searching the highway.
At 1:00 a.m. NJ State Police were summoning a NJ State Police Helicopter and West Windsor Police was contacted for a drone to help with the search.
At 1:38 a.m. Hamilton Police requested EMS to respond to Tartear Drive the opposite side of I-195 from Gropp Lake. A person was found in the woods meeting the description for a person missing from Hamilton Township.
Patient located at 1:40 a.m. Hamilton Township fire telling boats to return to shore. EMS confirms patient located at 1:44 a.m.
This is a “Breaking News” report and once official information is received from Hamilton Township Police the story will be updated. Information contained in this report is from on scene reporting.
NOTE: This is a different incident than the missing person that was reported earlier that person has been located. No word on exactly what went on at the lake except for fire/ems radio traffic indicating they had a patient in the woods near the drain pipe for the lake.
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