Day: March 10, 2022

Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville

Former RSA Soccer President Tom Pagani Honored as NJ Youth Soccer Volunteer of the Year

March 10, 2022

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–New Jersey Youth Soccer has announced that former RSA Soccer President Tom Pagani is being honored as a 2021 NJYS Liesel Krehan Volunteer of the Year. A lifelong member of the New Jersey soccer community, Pagani tragically passed away in late 2021, but his legacy is one that continues to have a tremendous impact throughout RSA and the youth soccer landscape at large.

“Tom Pagani has left behind a legacy at RSA that few will ever reach,” said Patrick Fuentes, New York Red Bulls Regional Coordinator. “The tireless hours of work and passion towards RSA has helped to inspire a generation of players and volunteers to carry on his legacy.”

During his tenure as RSA President, Pagani sought to advance the Robbinsville-based club to new heights. He was a selfless leader who allowed the experience and expertise of others to take center stage in order to help the club grow. In the fall of 2021, RSA reached its highest membership in years due to his incredible guidance and countless hours of work.

Pagani could most often be found at the soccer fields, whether it was helping to organize the field setup, remedy any problems that should arise or simply to watch the teams at the club play. In addition to his tireless work at RSA, Pagani fostered various relationships throughout the state to assist in the development of the game in Robbinsville and the surrounding region. Among those connections included a partnership with the New York Red Bulls to provide coaching for players at RSA and allowing New Jersey ODP to use fields for ODP events. Additionally, Pagani provided fields and resources for Mooch Soccer, a non-profit program for inner city youth, so they could have a home for training and games.

The NJYS Liesel Krehan Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to an individual or individuals who serve as a great role model to the soccer community while also demonstrating a willingness to promote the game through their actions and individual character. Along with Pagani, Bill Smith of Toms River Independent Club was also acknowledged with the award this year by NJ Youth Soccer.

RSA Soccer has opened its spring tryouts process, and registration is now open. RSA is an official New York Red Bulls Youth Partner, and all player evaluations are led by our professional Red Bulls Coaching Staff. Tryouts open on March 30th and run through the week of April 8th. Learn more.

Bordentown Twp, Burlington

Traffic Alert: Bordentown Township, Route 206 near New Jersey Turnpike Exit 7

March 10, 2022

BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Due to a crash where a truck hit a bridge Route 206 is down to one lane south bound. The bridge has severe damage and the New Jersey Turnpike reports that the south bound exit ramp to Route 206 is closed.

NJ DOT and Turnpike Authorities are on scene assessing the severe damage to the bridge.

Avoid the area further details will follow.

Bordentown Township Police report: Be advised that Rt. 206 southbound is currently restricted to one (1) lane between Dunns Mill Rd. and Connector Rd. due to a motor vehicle collision. Expect delays and plan an alternate route.

MidJersey.News photo from the scene
Ocean County, Toms River

Fire Quickly Knocked Down in Toms River

March 10, 2022

Photos, video and story by: Ryan Mack, Jersey Shore Fire Response

TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Last night March 9, around 10:45 p.m., Police received a call for a fire alarm with a smoke condition, on the arrival of police the officers found a small fire next to the heater. They tried to use a can on it but it kept growing. When first due engine arrived, firefighters reported that they had a decent amount of fire in the rear of the building. The fire was quickly knocked down with hand lines. Firefighters remained on scene for overhaul and the investigation. No further information is available at this time.

Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton, NJ and Georgia Men, Indicted with Transporting Illegal Guns from Georgia into New Jersey

March 10, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced the indictment of two individuals after an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Mercer County Shooting Response Team led to the seizure of three community guns transported to New Jersey from Georgia. 

The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau obtained a grand jury indictment on Wednesday, March 9, charging Quaneisha Frost-Clark, 27, of Loganville, G.A. and Marquise Peterson, 28, of Trenton, N.J. with second-degree conspiracy, second-degree transporting weapons into the state for unlawful sale or transfer, second-degree possession, receipt, or transfer of a community gun, three counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and three counts of fourth-degree manufacture, transport, disposition of a weapon.

The indictment alleges that between February 2020 and July 2020, the defendants illegally transported handguns from Georgia to New Jersey, including three 9mm community guns. A “community gun” is a firearm that is transferred among, between or within any association of two or more persons who, while possessing that firearm, engage in criminal activity or use it unlawfully against the person or property of another. The defendants are also facing charges related to possessing three firearms without having first obtained a permit to carry and selling said firearms without being licensed or registered to do so.

“The vast majority of guns used in criminal activity in New Jersey originate from out of state,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “We are focused on stemming the flow of illegal guns trafficked across our borders—let this indictment serve as a warning for those looking to illegally bring firearms into the State of New Jersey.”

“This case is an excellent example of law enforcement cooperating to address the threat posed by the illegal funneling of weapons from other states into New Jersey,” said Director Lyndsay V. Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We are committed to working together with our law enforcement partners across all states in order to share intelligence, investigate, and prosecute criminals who arm themselves with illegal weapons that put our communities at risk.”

The indictment is posted online here.

Deputy Attorney General Karen M. Bornstein is lead prosecutor on the case for the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto, Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis, and DCJ Deputy Director Annmarie Taggart.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Matthew Lyons and Detective David Reiff under the direction of Sergeant Michael Gonzalez and Lieutenant Kevin Gannon in the Gangs and Organized Crime Bureau of the Division of Criminal Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, including Special Agent Aislynn Stern, and the Mercer County Shooting Response Team. The New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit also assisted in the investigation.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000 and fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. 

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Defense Attorneys 

For Frost-Clark: Undetermined

For Peterson: Nicole Carlo, Esq., Mercer County Public Defender’s Office

frost-clark-indictment_returnedDownload
Barnegat, Manahawkin, Ocean County

Update: Monroe Township Man Now Charged with Murder in Death of a Six-Year-Old Male

March 10, 2022

BARNEGAT, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith A. Germain announced that on March 9, 2022, Christopher Gregor, 29, of Monroe Township, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), in connection with the death of a six-year-old male on April 2, 2021, at Southern Ocean Medical Center in the Manahawkin section of Stafford Township.

On April 2, 2021, Officers from the Stafford Township Police Department responded to Southern Ocean Medical Center in reference to the death of a six-year-old male, identified as C.M. On April 3, 2021, a post-mortem examination was performed by the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and it was determined that C.M. sustained injuries due to blunt force trauma. In the course of investigating the child’s death, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad and Barnegat Township Police Department discovered evidence that revealed that Gregor had committed acts of abuse against the child in Barnegat Township on March 20, 2021. As such, Gregor was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2) on July 7, 2021. Though initially lodged in the Ocean County Jail, Gregor was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

On March 3, 2022, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office received a report from the State’s expert witness which indicated that C.M. died as a result of blunt force impact of the chest and abdomen, and determined the manner of the child’s death to be homicide. An extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that C.M. was in the custody of Gregor at the time he sustained his life-ending injuries, and that Gregor is the individual responsible for the child’s death.

On March 9, 2022, Gregor was taken into custody by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Sea Bright Police Department, and Barnegat Township Police Department. Gregor is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

“I’m thankful for the collective effort of all of the law enforcement officers that participated in this very thorough and comprehensive investigation over the past 11 months. Today is the first step in bringing the person we believe is responsible for this young boy’s death to justice,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “This truly was a team effort, and I’m grateful for the determination and resolve exhibited by all the agencies involved,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Germain commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Economic Crimes Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Englishtown Police Department, Manalapan Township Police Department, Monroe Township Police Department, Sea Bright Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and Alcoa (Tennessee) Police Department, for their collective and cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Gregor’s apprehension.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).

Barnegat Man Charged With Endangering The Welfare Of A Child After PD Responds To 6-Year-Old Child’s Death
Christopher Gregor, 29, of Monroe Township
Christopher Gregor, 29, of Monroe Township, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), in connection with the death of a six-year-old male on April 2, 2021, at Southern Ocean Medical Center in the Manahawkin section of Stafford Township.