Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced on June 3, 2022, that Jamal Preston, 27, of Egg Harbor Township, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of a previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Arson – by purposely or knowingly placing another in danger of death or bodily injury – in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1a(1). This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, meaning that Preston will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Judge Ryan also sentenced Preston to seven years NJSP in connection with a previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Arson – with purpose to destroy the building or structure of another – in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1a(2), these charges arose out of an incident that occurred in Lakewood Township on August 22, 2020. Finally Judge Ryan sentenced Preston to eighteen months NJSP in connection to a previously entered guilty plea to an unrelated charge of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d, in connection with an incident that occurred two days earlier in Berkeley Township on August 20, 2020. The sentences will run concurrently. Preston pled guilty to all charges before Judge Ryan on January 13, 2022.
On August 22, 2020, Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a report of a fire at a residence in Lakewood. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s K-9 Unit, determined that the fire had been intentionally set utilizing an ignitable liquid and an open flame. Further investigation determined that Preston intentionally set the fire while the residence was occupied by three individuals. Preston fled the scene, but was arrested at a motel in Absecon by the United States Marshals Service on August 31, 2020. He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since the date of his apprehension.
On August 20, 2020, Preston was involved in an altercation with another individual in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township. When Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the scene, Preston was found to be in possession of a knife. He was taken into custody, charged on a summons, and released pending a future court date.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill who is handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s K-9 Unit, United States Marshals Service, Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and South Toms River Police Department, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Preston’s apprehension, guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentence.
Jamal Preston, 27, of Egg Harbor Township, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of a previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Arson – by purposely or knowingly placing another in danger of death or bodily injury – in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1a(1). This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, meaning that Preston will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Judge Ryan also sentenced Preston to seven years NJSP in connection with a previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Arson – with purpose to destroy the building or structure of another – in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1a(2), these charges arose out of an incident that occurred in Lakewood Township on August 22, 2020. Finally Judge Ryan sentenced Preston to eighteen months NJSP in connection to a previously entered guilty plea to an unrelated charge of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d, in connection with an incident that occurred two days earlier in Berkeley Township on August 20, 2020. The sentences will run concurrently. Preston pled guilty to all charges before Judge Ryan on January 13, 2022.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police and other K9 Units from the area were at Progressive Veterinary Care in Skillman today for Police K9 Cherno’s Final Walk. The K9 was 13 1/2 years old and provided service to West Windsor Police Department for 10 years. K9 Cherno was assigned to K9 Sergeant Montgomery and both have dedicated themselves to the West Windsor Police Department, the people of West Windsor, and the people of New Jersey.
West Windsor Police Chief Garofalo said, “I have no words today or will ever find the words to describe how K9 Cherno and K9 Sergeant Montgomery have dedicated themselves to this agency, the people of West Windsor, and the people of New Jersey. I will never be able to describe how this team has touched the hearts and lives of so many (Some were touched a little harder and with more teeth than others). Cherno made the WORLD a better place and his crossing will be felt by so many for a long time. Cherno, your final orders, Stay Vigilant and Report to the Rainbow Bridge to Continue to Protect & Serve as you wait for your partner and your best friend.”
West Windsor Police K9 Mackey, “Today, my big brother Cherno is crossing the rainbow bridge to run and jump and sniff it out forever. Cherno lived a long and adventurous 13 1/2 years. 10 years of service with a long list of accomplishments, and over 3 years of retirement full of treats and belly rubs. It’s amazing how much love one dog could give. Always the ladies man and always the consummate professional. Business was top priority but there was always room for a good game of fetch. To an eternity of barking as much as you want without getting yelled at. Thank you, Cherno, for paving the way for other k9’s and being my big brother. You will be missed by so many but not as much as by me. So much love
A very big thank you to Dr. T. Without him our family would not have had as much time as we did with Cherno. 13 1/2 years. Thank you. “
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members recognized the elementary school winners of the East Windsor Township Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest at a special ceremony. The theme of the poster is to promote any or all of the “4 R’s” of the East Windsor Township Recycling Program Logo, which are:
RECYCLE all items that can be recycled.
REUSE other items rather than throw them out in the trash.
REDUCE materials into their homes that then have to be disposed of.
REBUY buy goods that use recycled materials.
Winners from Grades K – 2 and Grades 3 – 5 all received Mayoral Certificates of Recognition and gift certificates to Barnes and Nobel, donated by corporate sponsor Shiseido America.
Mayor Mironov congratulated all of the students stating, “We are very proud of all the students who participated in the Township Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest, and the judges had a very challenging task selecting winning posters. The participation by our students demonstrates an interest at a young age in encouraging recycling as an important tool for creating a greener environment. The posters designed by the students creatively and colorfully serve to remind everyone of the importance of practicing and promoting recycling to help protect and preserve our environment. All of the participating students did an outstanding job and are to be commended for their great interest in recycling.”
The student winners were:
1st PLACE WINNERS
Grade K-2 – Lithikha Vijayakumar (Ethel McKnight)
Grade 3-5 – Ruhee batool Shek sarafdeen (Perry L. Drew)
2nd PLACE WINNERS
Grade K-2 – Jenise Ahenkora (Walter C. Black)
Grade 3-5 – Mukund Sairakshan Prabakaran (Perry L. Drew)
3rd PLACE WINNERS
Grade K-2 – Josephine Hayston (Ethel McKnight)
Grade 3-5 – Jenessa Ahenkora (Grace N. Rogers)
HONORABLE MENTION
Grade K-2 – Lucy Loonan (Ethel McKnight)
Grade 3-5 – Madeline Hayston (Perry L. Drew)
All of the winning student posters will be displayed through the month of June in the Township municipal building.
Mayor Janice S. Mironov, joined by Council Members and Earth Day Poster Contest winners, issues Proclamation recognizing Earth Day in East Windsor Township. Pictured (from left to right) are: (front row) Jenise Ahenkora; Josephine Hayston; Lucy Loonan; Lithikha Vijayakumar; (middle row) Ruhee batool Shek sarafdeen; Jenessa Ahenkora; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Madeline Hayston;Mukund Sairakshan Prabakaran; (back row) Council Member Al Rosenberg; Council Member Marc Lippman; Deputy Mayor Peter Yeager; Council Member David Russell; Council Member Denise Daniels, and Council Member John Zoller.
Mayor Janice S. Mironov recognized the Grades K – 2 student winners of the East Windsor Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest. Pictured (from left to right) are: Lithikha Vijayakumar; Jenise Ahenkora; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Lucy Loonan, and Josephine Hayston.
Mayor Janice S. Mironov recognized the Grades 3 – 5 student winners of the East Windsor Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest. Pictured (from left to right) are: Ruhee batool Shek sarafdeen; Mukund Sairakshan Prabakaran; Jenessa Ahenkora, and Madeline Hayston.
TRENTON – Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced criminal charges against six correctional police officers in connection to an incident in which an unjustified use of force was used against an inmate at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Chesterfield Townshipon April 8, 2020.
A total of 6 defendants—including Correctional Police Sergeant Michael Emmert and five Senior Correctional Police Officers—have been charged in an ongoing joint investigation by the Department of Corrections (DOC) Special Investigations Division (SID) and the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), stemming from information obtained and developed by the DOC SID.
At approximately 12:05 a.m. on April 8, 2020, DOC officers assigned to the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Township of Chesterfield, N.J. allegedly conducted a forced cell extraction of an inmate. The 6 defendants allegedly participated in a forced cell extraction and filed false reports intended to deceive others within the DOC into believing that the use of force was justified.
During an initial approach, Sergeant Emmert allegedly sprayed the victim with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, without giving the victim any opportunity to comply, and despite the victim offering to be handcuffed. The remaining defendants allegedly joined a five-person suited team, which re-approached the victim’s cell. Sergeant Emmert allegedly sprayed the victim with OC again without giving the victim an opportunity to comply. The defendants then allegedly entered the cell and forcibly removed the victim.
According to the complaints filed, the victim screamed in pain and left his cell covered in blood, was given an inhaler and oxygen in the infirmary, and was treated for lacerations on his face. DOC policy permits use of force that is objectively necessary and reasonable; it requires that an inmate be given an opportunity to comply before a forced cell extraction proceeds.
“Correctional police officers are entrusted with great authority over the inmates in their custody, and when they abuse that power, they must be held accountable,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “I want to thank the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability and Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division for investigating and bringing charges in this matter.”
“When corrections officers abuse their authority, as alleged here, we will ensure that they are fully investigated and prosecuted,” said OPIA Executive Director Thomas Eicher. “The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability is committed to ensuring justice for all by maintaining the highest standard of public service through effective investigations and prosecutions.”
We must hold correctional officers to the highest standards and any form of abuse will not be tolerated,” said New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn. “Individuals within the custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections deserve to be treated with decency and dignity and I recognize the hard work of the Special Investigations Division and Office of Public Integrity & Accountability to bring accountability for these actions.”
The following individuals were charged on May 25, 2022 by complaint-summons as follows:
Correctional Police Sergeant Michael Emmert, 37, of Toms River, N.J.
Aggravated Assault (2 counts – 3rd degree)
Tampering with Public Records or Information (3rd degree)
The complaint against Emmert alleges the following conduct:
Emmert was the leader of the extraction team, and approached the cell of Victim 1 with two other officers. Victim 1 offered his hands and stated his intent to be handcuffed, but Emmert did not allow Victim 1 to leave the cell voluntarily and gave no orders. Rather, Emmert sprayed Victim 1 in the face with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). Emmert left and returned with a five-person suited team. Again without offering Victim 1 an opportunity to comply, Emmert deployed OC spray on Victim 1 a second time, then supervised as the team entered the cell and forcibly removed Victim 1.
In his preliminary incident report, Emmert falsely stated that Victim 1 refused orders to be handcuffed, blocked a food port, and attempted to “mule kick” a shield, which is contradicted by video and photographic evidence. By filing a false report, Emmert intended to deceive others within the DOC into believing that his use of force on Victim 1 was justified.
Senior Correction Police Officer Christopher Toth, 37, of New Egypt, N.J.
Tampering with Public Records or Information (3rd degree)
The complaint against Toth alleges the following conduct:
Toth approached the cell of Victim 1 in a team of two other officers, led by a Sergeant. Toth was holding a shield. Victim 1 offered his hands and stated his intent to be handcuffed. Rather than handcuffing and allowing him to leave the cell voluntarily, the Sergeant sprayed Victim 1 with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) in the face. Toth used his shield to hold Victim 1 in his cell as the door closed. Toth left and returned as part of a five-person suited team; Toth was the first officer in the stack.
In his special custody report, Toth falsely stated that Victim 1 was sprayed with OC “in order to gain compliance, which was not effective” knowing that Victim 1 was not given any opportunity to comply. Toth also falsely stated “As I entered the cell, [Victim 1] tried to kick me and turned to hit me.” By filing a false report, Toth intended to deceive others within the DOC into believing that the use of force on Victim 1 was justified.
Senior Correction Police Officer Raymond Quinones, 43, of Beachwood, N.J.
Tampering with Public Records or Information (3rd degree)
The complaint against Quinones alleges the following conduct:
Quinones joined a five-person suited team, after Victim 1 was sprayed with OC during an initial approach, which re-approached Victim 1’s cell. The Sergeant sprayed Victim 1 with OC again without giving Victim 1 an opportunity to comply. Quinones then entered the cell and forcibly removed Victim 1.
In his special custody report, Quinones falsely stated that when the team arrived at Victim 1’s cell he “refused to cuff up” and “[w]hen the cell door opened, [Victim 1] was combative,” knowing that Victim 1 was not given any opportunity to comply. By filing a false report, Quinones intended to deceive others within the DOC into believing that the use of force on Victim 1 was justified.
Senior Correction Police Officer Michael Gaines, 56, of Willingboro, N.J.
Tampering with Public Records or Information (3rd degree)
The complaint against Gaines alleges the following conduct:
Gaines joined a five-person suited team, after Victim 1 was sprayed with OC during an initial approach, which re-approached Victim 1’s cell. The Sergeant sprayed Victim 1 with OC a second time, again without giving Victim 1 any opportunity to comply. Gaines then entered the cell and forcibly removed Victim 1.
In his special custody report, Gaines falsely stated that when the team arrived at Victim 1’s cell he “was ordered to comply” and was sprayed, knowing that Victim 1 was not given any opportunity to comply. By filing a false report, Gaines intended to deceive others within the DOC into believing that the use of force on Victim 1 was justified.
Senior Correction Police Officer Mark Sadlowski, Jr., 44, of Sewell, N.J.
Tampering with Public Records or Information (3rd degree)
The complaint against Sadlowski alleges the following conduct:
Sadlowski joined a five-person suited team, after Victim 1 was sprayed with OC during an initial approach, which re-approached Victim 1’s cell. The Sergeant sprayed Victim 1 with OC a second time, again without giving Victim 1 any opportunity to comply. Sadlowski then entered the cell and forcibly removed Victim 1.
In his special custody report, Sadlowski falsely stated that when the team arrived at Victim 1’s cell he “refused to handcuff” and that “[w]hen the door opened, the inmate was combative,” knowing that Victim 1 was not given any opportunity to comply. By filing a false report, Sadlowski intended to deceive others within the DOC into believing that the use of force on Victim 1 was justified.
Senior Correction Police Officer Michael Ambrozaitis, 58, of Southampton, N.J.
Tampering with Public Records or Information (3rd degree)
The complaint against Ambrozaitis alleges the following conduct:
Ambrozaitis joined a five-person suited team, after Victim 1 was sprayed with OC during an initial approach, which re-approached Victim 1’s cell. The Sergeant sprayed Victim 1 with OC a second time, again without giving Victim 1 any opportunity to comply. Ambrozaitis applied leg irons to Victim 1.
In his special custody report, Ambrozaitis falsely stated that when the team arrived at Victim 1’s cell and the cell door opened, Victim 1 “refused to comply,” knowing that Victim 1 was not given any opportunity to comply. By filing a false report, Ambrozaitis intended to deceive others within the DOC into believing that the use of force on Victim 1 was justified.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorneys General Samantha Thoma, Adam Gerken, and Samuel Rubinstein of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Peter Lee and OPIA Deputy Director Anthony Picione. The investigation was conducted by detectives of the Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division and OPIA North Squad.
Third-degree aggravated assault charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, and third-degree tampering with public records charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison, including a mandatory two-year term of parole ineligibility, and a fine of up to $15,000.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Defense Attorneys:
For Sadlowski and Toth: Stuart Alterman, Alterman & Associates, LLC, Marlton, N.J.
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