TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) — Multiple people suffered burns and other injuries in a house fire and were rushed from the scene in ambulances this evening (Oct. 31). Firefighters used a ladder to rescue at least one person from a second-floor window of the burning structure on Tyler Street.
The Trenton Fire Department’s Engines 3, 7 and 10, Ladder 2, Rescue 1 and Battalion Chief Dave Smolka were dispatched at 9:05 p.m. after the city’s communications center started receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting that the multifamily house at 24 Tyler Street, near East Canal Street, was on fire with multiple people trapped on the upper floors.
Patrolling police officers were quickly on the scene. They confirmed people were trapped in the three-story rowhouse. Based on the police’s report, additional firefighters were sent to the scene as the “All Hands” signal for a working fire was transmitted.
Engine 7 arrived and reported they had a person hanging out a second-floor window. Firefighters raised a ladder to the window to rescue that person. Searches were made of the basement and all three floors and firefighters confirmed that everyone was out by about 9:15 p.m.
The total number of people injured and how they escaped from the fire was not immediately known. At least three people were transported by city and mutual aid ambulances to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. At least one trauma alert was called.
Firefighters used two hoselines to quickly extinguish the fire. The blaze was declared under control at 9:24 p.m.
Police quickly cordoned off the street on both sides of the burned building with crime scene tape. Investigators from the police department, fire department, county prosecutor’s office and state fire marshal’s office were called out to probe the cause of the blaze.
An act of juvenile delinquency for offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute as Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Burglary, and Theft.
October 31, 2022
SAYERVILLE, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Daniel Plumacker of the Sayreville Police Department announced today that a juvenile male has been taken into custody and charged with an act of juvenile delinquency for offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute as Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Burglary, and Theft.
Today, October 31, 2022, between Midnight and 12:30 A.M., a 68- year-old female victim was sexually assaulted in her residence. The suspect entered the victim’s apartment located on Swider Drive in Parlin, New Jersey, woke her, sexually assaulted, and deprived her of belongings before fleeing the scene.
This is an active and ongoing investigation anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Lauren Leyva of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit 732-745-4499 or Detective Jeff Taylor of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-525-5450.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Hope Fire Company and Allentown – Captial Health EMS responded at 6:37 p.m. to Old York Road and Montgomery Way for a T-bone crash with reported injuries. Robbinsville Township Police and New Jersey State Police also responded to the scene of the crash. The injuries were minor, and one person was placed in the back of the ambulance for evaluation of injuries but did not seek transport to the hospital. Hope Fire Company stood by for cleanup and assisted Robbinsville Police with traffic control. The Robbinsville Township Police Department is investigating the crash.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—City of Trenton, Public Information Officer, Timothy J. Carroll told MidJersey.News that a double shooting was reported at 7:18 p.m. Two male victims were reported shot after having a verbal altercation with a passing vehicle on New Willow Street near Kirkbride Avenue and Wiley Avenue. Trenton EMS and Capital Health Paramedics transported the two victims to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. The Trenton Police Department Shooting Response Team is investigating the shooting. No additional details are available at this time.
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for defrauding lenders of $50 million dollars in connection with an invoice factoring scheme perpetrated over nearly a decade, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Vincent Galano, 60, of Oceanport, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud. Judge Quraishi imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Accounts receivable factoring, also known as invoice financing (factoring), is a financial transaction through which a company obtains cash by selling its unpaid invoices, ordinarily at a discount, to a factor. Factoring clients send their debtors notices of assignment naming the factor as the assignee of the debt owed on the invoices. The factor collects invoiced amounts owed by the clients’ debtors and, upon collection of the entire invoiced amount, pays its clients the balance of the invoice, deducting the factor’s fees.
Galano formed PF Funding LLC (PF Funding) in 1996 for the purpose of factoring accounts receivables for various corporate clients. In 2007, PF Funding entered into a secured lending relationship with a single purpose entity created to finance PF Funding’s factoring business. Shortly thereafter, the factoring lender established a line of credit as a means to provide PF Funding capital to grow its receiveables portfolio. Over the next several years, PF Funding grew its factoring business by drawing from the line of credit while maintaining as current its loan obligations to the factoring lender. However, beginning in 2011, Galano, through PF Funding, purchased increasingly greater numbers of invoices for which he was unable to collect the debt owed on the receivables. To justify PF Funding’s continued draws from the line of credit, Galano concealed this bad debt from the factoring lender by misrepresenting the bad invoices as collectible on reports he routinely provided to the factoring lender. In other instances, Galano mischaracterized invoices that had already been paid and collected as outstanding and capable of being factored, in essence double-counting to drive up the outstanding receivables. In the reports provided to the factoring lender, Galano manipulated the overall value of PF Funding’s portfolio of outstanding invoices in an amount proportional to the funds he needed to draw from the unsecured line of credit to maintain as current the principal and interest payments on his outstanding loans.
Engaging in this pattern of misrepresentation over nearly a decade, by 2020 PF Funding had ultimately defaulted under its loan obligations, owing approximately $50 million to its lenders by virtue of the scheme. During a May 2020 telephone call with his lenders, Galano admitted that he had concealed significant losses suffered by PF Funding over many years. He admitted that he had routinely distributed to lenders over that prolonged period fabricated reports that overstated the number and value of outstanding invoices which the reports represented as payable.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Galano to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $50 million.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Boden of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
22-406
Defense counsel: Christopher Porrino Esq. and Rachel Maimin Esq., New York
FREEHOLD – An Ocean County man has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife and leaving her body on the side of a road in Ocean Township this past weekend, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Monday.
Jeremy B. Cruz, 51, of Forked River is charged with First-Degree Murder in connection with the death of 51-year-old Dawn C. Cruz.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 30, a woman who appeared to have sustained severe injuries was observed by a concerned motorist at the intersection of Asbury and Colonial avenues in the Township of Ocean. Upon responding, Ocean Township Police Department officers located the victim, identified as Dawn Cruz, who was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
A short while later, Jeremy Cruz turned himself in to authorities at Berkeley Township Police Department headquarters in Ocean County. A joint investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean Township Police Department, Asbury Park Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and Berkeley Township Police Department ultimately led to the arrest and charging of Cruz. He remains in custody pending a first appearance and detention hearing to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.
This case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley of the Major Crimes Bureau. Information on Cruz’s legal representation was not immediately available. Convictions on Murder charges are commonly punishable by terms of up to life in state prison.
Anyone with information about this matter is being asked to contact MCPO Detective Aaron Shaw at 800-533-7443 or Ocean Township Police Department Detective Zachary Rhein at 732-531-1800.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On October 30, 2022, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a motor vehicle crash occurred on Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd near Godfrey Drive. A 2014 Buick Enclave driven by Linda McBride, a 55-year-old, female from Hamilton, was traveling southbound on Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd near Godfrey Drive when she crossed over the northbound lane and left the roadway. The Buick then struck a 2016 Ford Van that was parked in the driveway of 779 Whitehorse Mercerville Road before coming to a stop against the driveway retaining wall. Members of the Hamilton Fire Division arrived on scene to assist with medical attention. McBride was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The crash is under investigation by Officers C. Clugsten and J. Galant from the Hamilton Police Division’s Traffic Unit.
Any witnesses are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609)581-4000.
According to statistics provided by the Union, Robbinsville, Bordentown and Allentown covered Hamilton Township 1,056 times over the past two years for calls in Hamilton. The statistics provided did not include additional mutual aid EMS services from Trenton, Lawrence and West Windsor that also provide mutual aid to Hamilton so the number could be higher.
October 30, 2022
BORDENTOWN, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 3091 says that on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Union Officials met with Bordentown Township Administrator Michael Theokas and was advised that the City and Township are looking into privatizing EMS Services for the residents and visitors of Bordentown Township, Bordentown City and Fieldsboro.
The Union states that Bordentown Township requested Bids for EMS Coverage for 2022-2025 due by September 29, 2022. Just 1 year after PERC Awarded Burlington County Firefighters Association IAFF Local 3091 to be the exclusive bargaining agent for all full time and part time EMT’s, and 5 months after we signed the 1st Collective Bargained Agreement with the Township.
Now they’re looking to layoff 6 Full Time employees and 10 Part Time employees after serving faithfully during the entire COVID Pandemic and accept the only bid they received from RWJ Barnanbas Health.
RWJ provides EMS services to Hamilton Township and shortfalls on answering their call volume, which requires Mutual Aid to respond for the overflow.
Mutual Aid sent into Hamilton (RWJ) to handle calls:
In 2021 mutual aid was sent to Hamilton 507 times from Robbinsville 420, Bordentown. 57, Allentown. 30.
So far in 2022 mutual aid was sent to Hamilton 549 times with over two months to go in 2022 since statistics were collected. Robbinsville 411, Bordentown 97, Allentown 41
**The statistics included did not list TEMS – Trenton Emergency Medical Services, Lawrence Township, and West Windsor Emergency Services who also provide additional mutual aid into Hamilton Township.
The Union says that if RWJ is awarded the contract to cover Bordentown, we can estimate the amount of mutual aid calls will grossly increase into Hamilton Township, leaving our residents and visitors without proper coverage.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 1:15 p.m. the Hamilton Township Fire Department, Hamilton Police, and EMS were sent to the 5,000 Block of South Broad Street near Old York Road for a vehicle into a guardrail with reported entrapment. Firefighters arrived and reported a guardrail though the vehicle with entrapment. The patient was extricated and transported by EMS to Captial Health Regional Medical Center and a “Trauma Alert” was called. Firefighters requested a hazardous materials crew for a fuel leak from the vehicle. Hamilton Township Police Department is investigating the crash.
No further details are available at this time, check back later for updates.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– A fire involving a pile of junked cars sent a towering column of smoke looming up over the northern end of the city this evening (Friday, Oct. 28). The blaze, which involved more than a dozen old vehicles, occurred at a junkyard in the 300 block of Enterprise Avenue. Firefighters who were alerted about 7 p.m. arrived to find a pile of scrapped auto parts engulfed in a mass of flames. Crews from Engines 6, 10 and 7, Ladder 4 and Rescue 1, under the direction of Battalion Chief Ross Dale, attacked the fire using a pair of 2.5-inch hoselines. Additional crews from Engine 1 and Ladder 1 were dispatched and sent to the Route 1 Freeway to see if a better vantage point could be had to attack the fire from the elevated roadway. Ultimately, however, the crews on the ground made quick work at containing the fire and preventing flames from spreading to either a nearby structure and another even larger pile of junked vehicles. With the blaze contained, those additional companies were not needed and were ordered off of the highway and back to quarters. Firefighters were on the scene for about an hour and a half hosing down the smoldering pile.
FREEHOLD – An Ocean County man has been arrested and charged with committing a daytime robbery of a West Long Branch check-cashing business that netted $700,000, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Friday.
Travis A. Bryant, 41, of Jackson is charged with first-degree Robbery, second-degree Burglary, and fourth-degree Possession of an Imitation Handgun.
At approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2017, members of the West Long Branch Police Department responded to the check-cashing business on Route 36 on a report of a silent alarm activation. At that location, officers found a lone employee, who advised that a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt pulled tightly around his face and sunglasses had just robbed the store of a large quantity of cash.
It was quickly determined that the man had entered the store when no customers were present and used a ladder to access and climb through ceiling ducts in order to access a secured, employees-only area of the business where cash was stored. After falling through the ceiling, Bryant reportedly approached the store employee, indicating that he was in possession of a weapon, and ordered her into the store bathroom while he made off with her purse, cell phone, and approximately $700,000 in cash, driving away in a van.
An intensive, long-term investigation by members of the West Long Branch Police Department and a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) resulted in Bryant being identified as a suspect in the case, and he was arrested without incident yesterday and lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a first appearance and detention hearing to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.
This case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner, Director of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau, members of which also assisted in the investigation. Information on Bryant’s legal representation was not immediately available.
Convictions on first-degree crimes are commonly punishable by terms of 10 to 20 years in state prison.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
Jaree Kitchen, 24, was sentenced to 60 years pursuant to the No Early Release Act for the two counts of Murder and 10 years for the charge of Aggravated Arson, to run consecutively, for a total of 70 years.
October 28, 2022
JAMESBURG, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that Jaree Kitchen, 24, has been sentenced for the crimes of murder, aggravated arson, and weapons offenses.
On November 6, 2019, at approximately 3:19 a.m., Jamesburg Police officers responded to 7 Sheridan Street in Jamesburg for a report of a house fire. Upon arrival, officers observed visible flames exiting the structure of the house. The Jamesburg Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. A subsequent investigation conducted by Sergeant Kevin Wilson, Detective Sergeant Jason Muller and Detective Jim Dennis of the Jamesburg Police Department and Sergeant Deon McCall of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, founded that Kitchen had recently returned to Jamesburg from Georgia to live with his father, Clifford Kitchen Jr., but soon after his arrival the father and son began having significant issues. This erupted into a physical altercation that resulted in Jaree Kitchen fatally stabbing both his father and another resident of the home, Gregory Fisher to death on November 4, 2019. On November 6, 2019, in an effort to destroy and cover up the murders that occurred within the home, Jaree Kitchen set the residence of 7 Sheridan Street on fire.
Kitchen was subsequently indicted for two counts of first-degree Murder, second-degree Aggravated Arson, two counts second-degree Desecrating Human Remains, two counts of third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence.
Following the presentation of evidence by Assistant Prosecutors Amber Gibbs and Caitlin Lavery, Kitchen was convicted by a jury on June 1, 2022. Kitchen was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas J. Buck, today, October 28, 2022. Kitchen was sentenced to 60 years pursuant to the No Early Release Act for the two counts of Murder and 10 years for the charge of Aggravated Arson, to run consecutively, for a total of 70 years.
PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)–Princeton Police Department reports that on October 28, 2022, at 10:38 a.m., a 2010 Kia Forte driven by Linda Simmins, 73 of Lawrenceville, was traveling south on Mercer Road. The pedestrian/victim, Salvatore Esposito-Dimarcant, 70,of Ewing was performing landscaping work in the 900 block of Mercer Road. Preliminary on-scene investigation revealed that Esposito-Dimarcant was standing in the southbound lane of Mercer Road when he was struck by the Kia Forte. Esposito- Dimarcant was transported to the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries
The Police Department is requesting that anybody who witnessed the crash contact Ptl. Jonathan Myzie at (609) 921-2100 ext. 1875
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. An additional press release will follow when new information becomes available.
Many Law and Public Safety Divisions Will Play a Key Role in Ensuring a Fair, Free, and Smooth-Running Election
October 28, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced several key measures the Department of Law and Public Safety will be taking during the 2022 General Election to help ensure a fair, free, and smooth-running election, to protect the right to vote, and to assist voters, election officials, and law enforcement in resolving any emergent voting-related legal matters.
Early voting in New Jersey will begin on Saturday, October 29 and will end on Sunday, November 6. During that time and on Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, many divisions of the Department of Law and Public Safety will have a role in ensuring free and fair elections in the State of New Jersey.
To safeguard the fundamental right to vote, the Attorney General announced that the Office of the Attorney General and the Division on Civil Rights are establishing a Voter Protection Initiative for the 2022 general election. This Initiative will focus on identifying and addressing any voting rights or civil rights violations, including under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, that may arise during early voting and on Election Day.
The Attorney General’s Voter Protection Initiative will work with community stakeholders and partners to identify and address voting access issues. The Voter Protection Initiative will operate independently of the attorneys in the Division of Law who represent county elections officials and the Secretary of State.
“The right to vote is sacred, and we will do everything in our power to safeguard that right,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we ensure that New Jerseyans do not face intimidation, discrimination, or harassment when exercising their constitutional right to vote. Our Department’s initiatives to protect the right to vote during this election will ensure that every eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot, and that anyone who attempts to interfere with the voting process will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
The Attorney General also announced that, as in prior elections, hundreds of attorneys from the Division of Law will be working in shifts to answer emergent questions from county elections officials to ensure that all eligible voters can cast their ballots quickly, freely, and fairly in accordance with New Jersey’s election laws.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (“OPIA”) will monitor voter intimidation, electioneering, elections fraud, and other criminal violations, and will direct reports of election interference to local and federal law enforcement as needed and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (“NJCCIC”) will also be monitoring for election security threats—both cyber and physical.
In preparation for the 2022 General Election, OPIA has also issued the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Guidance for Elections to local law enforcement officials across the State. View Guidance
Moreover, the Department of Law and Public Safety has also created a webpage that provides New Jersey residents voting-related resources and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the right to vote. The webpage explains how voters can report any problems they encounter during early voting or on Election Day: www.njoag.gov/electionprotection
In addition to this newly created webpage, the New Jersey Division of Elections website, located at https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/index.shtml, provides a list of county-level election office contacts, as well as other useful elections-related information.
Any person who believes his or her right to vote has been interfered with, or who wishes to report other voting-related problems or concerns, can call the State’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at 1-877-NJVOTER.
Members of the public also can direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections and County Board of Elections.
Any member of the public who has been subject to discrimination or harassment in connection with voting may also report the issue to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights through the NJ BIAS online portal, available at https://bias.njcivilrights.gov, or by calling 1-800-277-BIAS (1-800-277-2427). Depending on their urgency, complaints regarding possible discrimination or harassment filed with the Division on Civil Rights may be addressed during the election or after the election.
Attorney General Platkin also reminds the public that it is a criminal offense to solicit or electioneer voters within a “protective zone” as they enter or exit a polling location.
The “protective zone” extends 100 feet from the outside entrance of any polling site. Attempts to interfere with voters within this zone are usually handled by law enforcement officers from the appropriate agency.
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Evesham Township Police Chief Walt Miller announced that a Mount Laurel police officer has been charged with hacking into the social media accounts of an Evesham woman and distributing nude pictures she took of herself to those on her contact and friends lists.
Ayron Taylor, 22, of Delran, was charged with three counts of Computer Crime (one Second Degree, two Third Degree), two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (one Second Degree, one Third Degree) and Invasion of Privacy (Third Degree).
The investigation began last month after the victim contacted the Evesham Township Police Department and reported that her Snapchat and Facebook accounts had been accessed by an unknown person who then sent nude photos she had taken of herself to her Snapchat contacts, messaged them to her Facebook friends, and posted them on her Facebook wall.
Communications Data Warrants were secured, and the investigation revealed Taylor had illegally accessed the accounts and distributed the photos. The Endangering the Welfare of a Child charges were brought against Taylor because some of the photos he sent of the victim were taken when she was a minor.
Taylor was arrested on October 21 and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly. He was released following a first appearance in Superior Court.
Taylor became a full-time police officer with the Mount Laurel Police Department after graduating from the academy in October 2021. He has been suspended without pay and the department is seeking to terminate his employment.
The investigation, which is continuing, is being conducted by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit and the Evesham Township Police Department. The lead investigator is ETPD Detective Christopher DeFrancesco, who is assigned to the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit as a Task Force Officer.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Ayron Taylor, 22, of Delran, was charged with three counts of Computer Crime (one Second Degree, two Third Degree), two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (one Second Degree, one Third Degree) and Invasion of Privacy (Third Degree).
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Water Works employee Richard Warren, 46, was taken into custody on October 15, 2022, and charged with theft. Warren removed several water meters from a scrap dumpster at the Trenton Water Works property on Courtland Street. Warren was positively identified as the person taking the meters without permission and he was charged accordingly.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at approximately 10:55 p.m., multiple police units were dispatched to Dugan Lane for a reported suspicious vehicle and theft in progress. The caller stated that the catalytic converter to his SUV had just been cut at the suspect vehicle, a large white box truck with a loading ramp on the tailgate, was last seen heading towards Lakewood.
Numerous patrol units in the area quickly located the box truck and conducted a motor vehicle stop at New Hampshire Avenue and Church Road. A search warrant was approved and the subsequent search of the vehicle yielded two recently cut catalytic converters, a sawzall, multiple sawzall blades, a handgun with a 30 round magazine and hollow point ammunition.
Ravene Johns, 25, and Malik Williams, 21, both of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, were arrested and charged with criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, weapons offenses, criminal attempt, and theft of property. Additional charges are pending. They remain in custody at the Ocean County Jail pending hearing. The incident is under investigation by Detective Joseph Mastronardy.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting homicide that occurred Wednesday night in the city, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on October 26, 2022, Trenton police responded to a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the area of 199 Oakland Street. Arriving units located a male shot inside the liquor store at Oakland St/Hoffman Ave. The victim was found unresponsive and shot multiple times. He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The victim has been identified as Rayshawn Baines, 41, of Trenton.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Saal was soliciting an inmate who he believed was being released from jail in the near future to commit a murder which would exonerate Saal, for $15,000.
October 27, 2022
NORTH BRUNSWICK – PLAINSBORO, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that a man was charged in connection with a murder for hire plot.
In August of 2019, Kenneth Saal, 30, formerly of Lindenwold, in Camden County, was charged with murdering Carolyn Byington, 26, of Plainsboro, in her apartment when she went home for lunch. Saal was Byington’s coworker. Plainsboro Police responded to Byington’s home after they were asked by her other coworkers to do a wellness check on her. When police arrived on scene at approximately 5:57 pm, they found Byington, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Saal was later indicted for first-degree murder, burglary in the second degree, endangering an injured victim, hindering one’s own apprehension, burglary, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, all third-degree crimes. The indictment also includes charges of stalking and tampering with evidence, both fourth-degree crimes. Saal is scheduled for trial in December of 2022 for the above crimes.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office received a letter on or about October 13, 2022, alleging that Saal was conspiring to commit a copycat murder to create doubt about his guilt.
An investigation by Detective Walter Kelley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Saal was soliciting an inmate who he believed was being released from jail in the near future to commit a murder which would exonerate Saal, for $15,000.
Saal was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit Murder, second-degree conspiracy to tamper with a witness, and second-degree conspiracy to hinder his own prosecution. Saal is being housed at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center and is scheduled for a detention hearing in Middlesex County Superior Court on Friday, October 28, 2022.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kelley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3330.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Saal are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–About 9:30 p.m. Trenton Police, Trenton Fire Department, TEMS and Captial Paramedics responded to the area of 199 Oakland, at the corner of Oakland and Hoffman Avenues for a person shot multiple times. Initial reports stated person was shot in the back and torso multiple times. EMS quickly transported the victim in grave condition to the Trauma Center at Captial Health Regional Medical Center, a trauma alert was called and CPR was also reported in progress.
There were unconfirmed reports of a suspect running down Hoffman and ran up the old, abandoned railroad bed towards Parkside Avenue. (unverified)
Trenton Police are currently on scene at the time of this report conducting an investigation. The Trenton Shooting Response Team and Mercer County Homicide Task Force are responding.
This is a breaking news report further details will be posted when available.
File photo by: Brian McCarthy
Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER) – Traffic along Route 1 was reduced to a crawl in both directions for several hours today after a traffic collision involving a dump truck and a sport utility vehicle took place in the area of Quaker Bridge Mall. As traffic backed up and ground to a near standstill, several secondary accidents occurred along Route 1 in Lawrence and West Windsor that added to the traffic nightmare.
The initial accident occurred about 3:10 p.m. along the southbound side of Route 1 just prior to the Kelly Viaduct (the overpass linking Route 1 South with Quaker Bridge Mall). During the crash, the dump truck reportedly struck the Jersey barrier that separates the southbound lanes of Route 1 from the northbound lanes. That impact tore down several lengths of chain link fence that sit atop the barrier and punched several holes in the barrier itself, sending chucks of concrete and other debris scattering into the northbound lanes. The dump truck and SUV then came to rest near the Kelly Viaduct ramps.
The driver of the SUV reportedly complained of pain following the crash but declined medical aide. The dump truck’s saddle fuel tank was ruptured at some point in the crash and started to leak diesel fuel onto the roadway. Lawrence Township firefighters were called out to try to contain the diesel fuel as it spilled and prevent it from running into a nearby storm drain. The tank reportedly contained as much as 70 gallons of fuel. A large portion of that amount reportedly spilled onto the roadway. Firefighters used absorbent pads, booms and other materials to build a berm around the storm drain to keep the spilled fuel from flowing into the drain and any local waterways that might be connected to the drain.
A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection response team and the hazardous materials task force from the Trenton Fire Department were later called out to help contain and cleanup the diesel and minimize any potential impact from the spill. A heavy-duty tow truck was used to remove the wrecked dump truck. The cause of the accident is under investigation by Lawrence Township police.
NJDOT was also on scene assisting with traffic control, lane closures and debris cleanup.
Lawrence Township NIXLE Alert: Major Crash Route 1 in the area of Quakerbridge Mall.
Avoid Route 1 in the area of Quakerbridge Mall due to a motor vehicle crash with much debris on the roadway. Major delays in both directions.
Trenton Fire Department responded to the scene for the hazardous material incident. Firefighters used booms, oil absorbent and pads to help keep additional fuel from spilling into the waterway.
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A Monmouth County Jury has returned guilty verdicts on nearly all charges against the local man who murdered a longtime family friend a little more than three years ago and set her home on fire in an attempt to cover his tracks, Acting Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael J. Wojciechowski announced Wednesday.
Following a month-long trial before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley, 52-year-old Ronald J. Teschner was convicted of first-degree Murder, first-degree Felony Murder, first-degree Robbery, three first-degree weapons offenses, second-degree Aggravated Arson, second-degree Desecration of Human Remains, third-degree Aggravated Assault, third-degree Burglary, third-degree Robbery, three counts of third-degree Theft, a third-degree drug offense, and fourth-degree Resisting Arrest, all in connection with the death of 65-year-old Jacqueline C. Terrulli.
Shortly after 7:30 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, September 12, 2019, firefighters and other first responders rushed to a home on Wickapecko Drive in Ocean Township that was fully engulfed in flames. Once the fire was put out, a joint investigation by members of the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau, the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Ocean Township Police Department determined that two residents of the home were unaccounted for: Teschner and Terrulli, the homeowner. Terrulli’s vehicle, a white Jeep Cherokee, was also missing from the property.
The next morning, on Friday, September 13, 2019, members of the Ocean Township Police Department located the Cherokee parked on a residential street in Paterson, a little more than an hour’s drive north. Teschner was located in the driver’s seat, and recovered from the vehicle were two shotguns, a quantity of fentanyl, and jewelry and other items belonging to Terrulli.
Teschner remained lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) following his arrest, and Murder charges were filed against him in December 2019. A Monmouth County Grand Jury then returned a 16-count indictment in the case in February 2020.
Later that year, on Thursday, June 18, 2020, as demolition and site remediation work was being performed on the Wickapecko Drive property, human remains that would later be identified as belonging to Terrulli were found wrapped in plastic and buried several feet underground. As a result of the fire, charred rubble had collapsed upon and covered the remains, initially concealing them from detection.
Teschner’s prosecution was handled by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Joseph Cummings and Katherine Butler, who presented evidence at trial including witness testimony, cell-phone records, and physical evidence showing that the murder took place while Terrulli’s mother and two siblings were away in Atlantic City.
“This was a genuinely monstrous crime, hallmarked by callous brutality – Jacqueline Terrulli welcomed the defendant into her home to live, and as a result of that charity, lost her life,” Wojciechowski said. “While this verdict can’t bring her back, we hope it offers some sense of solace to her family and friends, knowing that justice has been served.”
Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at which time Teschner will face a term of up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Prosecutor’s Office would again like to sincerely thank the numerous agencies that participated in this investigation and/or the extensive search for Terrulli’s remains, including the Ocean Township Police Department, Paterson Police Department, Wayne Police Department, Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office, Monmouth County Public Works, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K9 Bomb Squad, Bloodhound, Regional Dive and Search Team, and Drone; Bergen County Sheriff’s Office K9, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, a New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Justice Recruit Class, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office and K9 Accelerant Dog, New Jersey State Police K9 Cadaver Dog, Missing Persons Unit, Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC), and Police Laboratory; New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, New Jersey Transit Police Dive Team and Police Boats, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Quantico Laboratory and Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) K9 accelerant Dog, Critical Research Group, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and the University of North Texas.
Teschner was represented at trial by Anthony Aldorasi, Esq. and Lisa Maglone, Esq.
Ronald J. Teschner was convicted of first-degree Murder, first-degree Felony Murder, first-degree Robbery, three first-degree weapons offenses, second-degree Aggravated Arson, second-degree Desecration of Human Remains, third-degree Aggravated Assault, third-degree Burglary, third-degree Robbery, three counts of third-degree Theft, a third-degree drug offense, and fourth-degree Resisting Arrest, all in connection with the death of 65-year-old Jacqueline C. Terrulli.
MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that the Monroe Fire Chief of District No. 2 was charged with theft.
In February 2022, Fire Commissioners of Monroe Fire District No. 2 noticed discrepancies with their financial invoices, where taxes were being paid on items, when they were a tax-exempt entity. This led to an internal investigation where Chief James Carbin III, 55, of Clarksburg, was found to have been purchasing personal items with the fire department’s funds.
Carbin was placed on administrative leave in April of 2022, and is currently suspended without pay
An investigation led by Detective Marcus Goode of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that from 2019 to 2022, Carbin had purchased at least $2173.20 worth of personal items using the fire department’s money. During the investigation, it was discovered that Carbin also directed on-duty firefighters under his supervision to complete work outside of their job duties for his personal benefit.
Carbin was charged with third-degree theft by deception and third- degree theft of services.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Goode of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4274.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Carbin are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
File Photo: Governor Murphy, State, County, and Local Officials tour Tropical Storm Henri damaged area in Monroe Township on Monday August 23rd, 2021(Edwin J. Torres/ NJ Governor’s Office).
A campaign worker for a City Council candidate, filled out the mail-in ballot for the undercover detective and, in exchange, gave the detective a $20 Shop Rite gift card.
October 26, 2022
PERTH AMBOY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that a campaign worker for a Perth Amboy City Council candidate has been arrested and charged with bribery.
On the week of October 17th, detectives from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Perth Amboy Police Department received a tip that a campaign worker Ana Camilo, 62, of Perth Amboy, was canvassing a neighborhood in Perth Amboy and offering to complete mail-in ballots in exchange for gift cards.
In response, an undercover detective, posing as a Perth Amboy voter, met with Camilo. It was determined that Camilo, a campaign worker for a City Council candidate, filled out the mail-in ballot for the undercover detective and, in exchange, gave the detective a $20 Shop Rite gift card. Camilo was arrested immediately after the meeting and was found in possession of the mail-in ballot.
Camilo was charged with third-degree bribery in official or political matters. Camilo was charged on a summons and released the day of the arrest.
New Jersey election law prohibits the offering of any inducements for voting for a particular candidate. Please visit the Middlesex County Clerk’s website for any questions regarding mail-in ballots at www.middlesexcountynj.gov.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Shadi Zaiton of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4263.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Camilo are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
MEDFORD, NJ (BURLINGTON)–On October 22, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Medford Township Police Department responded to a report of a stolen motor vehicle at the Wawa (257 Rt 70, Medford NJ). The three suspects, dressed in dark clothing, approached the victim while she was waiting at the air pump in the rear of the building. One of the three male suspects, described to be approximately 140 pounds in his late teens to early twenties, physically removed the victim from her vehicle, leaving the victim uninjured and was later observed operating her 2015 Black Nissan Rogue towards Eayrestown Road. Security video obtained of the incident showed the three suspects exit the parking lot with no additional victims reported. This incident is currently being investigated by multiple Law Enforcement agencies. Please contact the Medford Township Police Department if you have any additional information.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Township Police Chief Mitch Little announced that on October 25, 2022, Milciades Oviedo, 74, of Elizabeth, has been charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2022, in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Route 70 in Toms River, resulting in the death of Sierra Fisher, 28, of Manchester Township.
On October 23, 2022, Toms River Township Police Officers were dispatched to the aforementioned area where, upon arrival, they found Ms. Fisher lying in the roadway. First responders immediately rendered aid to Ms. Fisher, and a pulse was initially regained. Ms. Fisher was transported to Southern Monmouth Medical Center, where she was later pronounced deceased.
According to a witness on the scene, the driver exited his vehicle, looked at Ms. Fisher, and then fled in the vehicle east on Route 70 toward Lakewood. The witness described the vehicle as a dark colored 2003-2009 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was said to have significant damage to the front passenger side, including an inoperable passenger side headlight and hood damage.
Utilizing information supplied by a concerned citizen, an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Toms River Township Police Department resulted in law enforcement locating the subject Ford Explorer in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The investigation further determined that Oviedo was operating the vehicle on October 23, 2022, when he struck and killed Ms. Fisher. On October 25, 2022, Oviedo was charged in the death of Ms. Fisher.
Oviedo has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice. As such, a warrant for his arrest has been issued and his name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database. “Great teamwork has been exhibited by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation. Our focus now is to find Milciades Oviedo and bring him into custody. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Milciades Oviedo should contact Detective Anthony Carrington of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3257, or Corporal Robert Westfall at rwestfall@trpolice.org, or the Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau at 732-349-0150,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Little commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Field Services Unit, and City of Elizabeth Police Department, for their continuing and combined efforts in connection with this investigation.
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).
Oviedo has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice
Milciades Oviedo, 74, of Elizabeth, has been charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2022, in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Route 70 in Toms River, resulting in the death of Sierra Fisher, 28, of Manchester Township.
NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced criminal charges today against 42 defendants related to racketeering, violence, narcotics distribution, and federal firearms offenses. The charges stem from five separate investigations conducted by federal, state and local enforcement partners.
“Keeping New Jersey safe and reducing violent crime are core to this Office’s mission, and I have no higher priority as U.S. Attorney. The scourge of senseless gun violence plagues too many of our communities, particularly in our urban centers. We are committed to protecting the public from violent criminal organizations, and we will relentlessly hold those who harm and threaten the public accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger. “The arrests and charges announced today were achieved through my Office’s collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners through our Violent Crime Initiative. Our VCI model targets the dangerous offenders and criminal organizations throughout New Jersey who threaten the public and perpetrate violence within our most vulnerable communities.”
The Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) is a collaborative, multi-agency program designed to combine the resources of New Jersey’s federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify, target, and prosecute violent offenders and criminal organizations throughout New Jersey. “Selflessly working and coordinating with our law enforcement partners has strengthened our ability to better protect the public from violent actors and organized criminal conduct. The charges announced today resulted from that team effort,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger also noted that shooting incidents statewide and in cities where the VCIs operate are appreciably lower than the year-to-date total from last year, including a 23% reduction statewide, a 30% reduction in Newark, 27% reduction in Jersey City, and 12% reduction in Paterson. The attached graphic reflects those reductions:
“These decreases are not a reason for anyone to rest easy or let up, but it is a positive note for our communities that have seen all too much violence,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said.
“My primary responsibility and focus as Attorney General is keeping the residents of our state safe – whether by tackling a rise in auto thefts or taking actions to prevent gun violence, including by holding violent offenders accountable,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. “Today, as a result of the efforts of various law enforcement agencies, we are once again demonstrating that effectively investigating and prosecuting violent crimes requires collaboration across local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. We are, quite simply, stronger and more effective when we collaborate, communicate, and share resources — which is precisely the type of partnerships we are fortunate to have here in New Jersey.”
“The Violent Crime Initiative plays an integral role in identifying and removing the most violent offenders in our communities,” Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson said. “Three of DEA’s investigations have resulted in the removal of 73 guns, more than 100 arrests, and the seizure of multiple kilograms of narcotics. It is the teamwork of law enforcement at every level working together toward the same goal that makes these investigations successful.”
“ATF remains vigilant in its pursuit of the most violent offenders in our communities by utilizing crime gun intelligence to disrupt the shooting cycle, and to prosecute shooters and their sources of crime guns,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews said. “We will continue to exploit investigative and data-driven leads derived from ATF’s National Tracing Center and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which is vital for both fair and impartial policing. These arrests send a clear and direct message of ATF’s continued commitment to combat violent crime and we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to safeguard the public from violence.”
“Violent crime in every form negatively impacts quality of life for every person left in its wake,” FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “The citizens of New Jersey – and across this country – have the absolute right to feel safe in their homes, their communities, and their country, which is why the FBI places great emphasis on eradicating violence. It is a lofty goal and one that may seem unreachable in these divisive times. But we will continue to fight this fight alongside our federal, state, and local partners for as long as it takes. We ask the community to take an active role – if you see something, report it. We cannot let violence rule our way of life.”
The charges and arrests announced today are summarized below, followed by tables setting forth the names, ages, and residences of those charged, as well as the charges against them.
Oscar Miles Housing Complex Drug Trafficking Organization
Today, 14 individuals were charged by criminal complaints with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics, including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. According to the allegations in the complaints, the charged defendants participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) made up members and associates of the Grape Street Crips street gang. The organization controlled the drug trade in and around the Oscar Miles Village housing complex in Newark.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, investigators of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, investigators from the U.S. Marshal Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., investigators of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Fritz Fragé, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Oscar Miles investigation.
The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Fassanello of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Olta Bejleri of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit.
Ten members and associates of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang were recently charged by superseding indictment with participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, carjackings, robberies, non-fatal shootings, and murder. According to the allegations in the superseding indictment, from in or around 2015 through 2022, the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips criminal organization operated in Essex and Union Counties, the New Jersey prison system, and elsewhere in New Jersey and nationally. During this alleged conspiracy, several of the charged defendants committed multiple non-fatal shootings and a murder, in furtherance of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips criminal organization.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DEA, under Special Agent in Charge Gibson’s direction, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews, as well as investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under Marshal Juan Mattos’ direction; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fragé, the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura’s direction, the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi, the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves, the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan, the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel, the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori, Chief of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit.
Bounty Hunter Bloods Criminal Organization
Seven members and associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods street gang were indicted for participating in a racketeering conspiracy that involved the commission of multiple murders, multiple non-fatal shootings, fraud, and narcotics distribution. According to the allegations in the indictment, from in or around 2019 to 2022, the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization operated in Somerset, Middlesex, Passaic, and Mercer Counties, as well as within the New Jersey prison system. During that period, several of the charged defendants are alleged to have committed violent acts, including murder, a mass shooting, and assaults with deadly weapons, all in furtherance of the affairs of Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization. In one instance, members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods are alleged to have shot nine people in New Brunswick, killing two. Over the course of this conspiracy, members and associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization are alleged to have shot 16 people in New Jersey, killing three.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James Dennehy in Newark, as well as investigators of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John McDonald, the New Brunswick Police Department, under the direction of Director Anthony Caputo, and the Franklin Township Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Quovella Mayweather, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Bounty Hunter Bloods investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kendall Randolph of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Tracey Agnew of the Criminal Division in Trenton.
Lincoln Park Drug Trafficking Organization
Six defendants were charged by criminal complaints with conspiring to participate in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and crack-cocaine in and around Lincoln Park in Newark. This investigation also resulted in the seizure of 13 firearms and quantities of cocaine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the ATF, under Special Agent in Charge Matthews’s direction, special agents of the DEA, under Special Agent in Charge Gibson’s direction, investigators of the Newark Police Department, under Public Safety Director Fragé’s direction, and investigators of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under Sheriff Fontoura’s direction, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Lincoln Park investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the National Security Unit.
Trinitarios
Five members and associates of several branches of the Trinitarios street gang were arrested and charged by criminal complaints with conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin, as well as firearms offenses. According to the allegations in the complaints, the defendants conducted their narcotics and firearms activities in and around the Fifth Ward of Paterson.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under Special Agent in Charge Dennehy’s direction, investigators of the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Jerry Speziale, and investigators of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Trinitarios investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Sulkowski of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Edeli Rivera of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit.
The investigations leading to the charges in the Oscar Miles, Rollin 60s, and Trinitarios investigations were part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints and indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oscar Miles Housing Complex Drug Trafficking Organization
Defendant
Age
Residence
Charge
Thomas Barney
47
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Najuwan Blake-Williams
23
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Altray Brown
29
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Ali Carney
44
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Najee Carney
21
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Mookadean Cheeseboro
35
Essex County
Possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon
Tyrone Cradle
26
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Michael Griffin
32
Essex County
Possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon
Jaquan McAllister
21
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Ikaim McSwain
32
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Latif Terry
39
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Shaquan Ward
37
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Taji Williams
37
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
Zaid Williams
35
Essex County
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
RICO Conspiracy, Carjacking, possession of firearm in furtherance of crime of violence
Amir Warden, aka “Stampz,” aka “Killa”
30
Essex County
RICO Conspiracy
Rahjon Cox, aka “Tsu Surf”
32
Essex County
RICO Conspiracy, felon in possession of firearms and ammunition
Amir Edmonds, aka “G Baby”
21
Essex County
RICO Conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon
Jamar Farrell
44
Newark
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon
Khalid Holland
43
Newark
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Tyree Norris
33
Newark
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon,Possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Ted Sanon
22
Hillside, New Jersey
Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base
*Dashawn Hines* not charged in drug trafficking conspiracy
23
Newark
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances
Trinitarios
Defendant
Age
Residence
Charge
Andy Dilone
23
Paterson, New Jersey
Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine
Malvin Pena, aka “Rabia”
28
Paterson
Unlawful possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, distribution of heroin
Andy Santiago Sanchez-Polanco, aka “Tigre”
25
Paterson
Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Jefry Tupete, aka “Jeff”
33
Paterson
Distribution of heroin
Cesar Valerio, aka “Chico Trini”
30
Paterson
Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–At 10:22 a.m. Lawrenceville Fire Departments, EMS and Lawrence Police were dispatched to Franklin Corner Road near Lewisville Road for a motor vehicle crash with reported entrapment. Upon arrival of emergency services, it was determined that there was no entrapment and fire departments were recalled. EMS remained on scene tending to non-life-threatening injuries. Lawrence Police Department is investigating the crash. No additional details are available at this time.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Street Crimes Detectives have been working diligently around the clock to solve crimes that occurred within the City. Detectives have made several arrests for several different incidents that occurred throughout the City of Trenton.
Street Crimes Unit Detectives received information from NJ State Police, regarding a female in the area of the 200 block of Spring Street, driving a white Ford Escape, in possession of a handgun.They proceeded to the area and observed said vehicle improperly parked. Upon further investigation, they observed the driver, Ashley Marie Jones, in possession of a Taurus .9mm handgun, which was observed in plain view. She was subsequently arrested and charged accordingly.
Ashley Marie Jones. 30
Arrestee #1: Ashley Marie Jones, 30 years old.
Charges: 1. Unlawful Possession of a Handgun
2. Unlawful Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine
Street Crimes Unit Detectives responded to a call for shots fired in the area of Stuyvesant & Hayes Avenues. Once detectives arrived in the area they observed a male, Paris T. Mann, matching the description of the person firing the shots. Mann became startled when he observed the detectives and reached into his inside coat pocket. Detectives stopped to investigate and they found Mann in possession of a Glock 48 .9mm handgun, which was secured. Mann was charged accordingly and lodged on warrant complaints.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–On Monday, September 26, 2022, at approximately 12:17 a.m., Trenton Police Officers were flagged down and advised of a sick or injured person laying on the street in the area of 434 North Clinton Avenue. Upon making contact, the victim was found on the street next to his bicycle and in need of medical assistance. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was later found to have suffered severe life-threatening injuries and was placed in the ICU and currently listed in critical condition.
The Detective assigned to the case was able to ascertain the clothing description and additional details from the limited video footage and began working on the case. With assistance from Det. Sergeant L. Nazario and additional members from the Major Crimes Robbery Unit – The Detective was able to piece together the incident through extensive detective work and determination.
Along with the assistance from members of the Trenton Police Department – Street Crimes Unit (SCU) and the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), were able to identify the suspects. Both suspects were positively identified, arrested, and charged.
Tyquasia M. Peterson (25)
Tyquasia M. Peterson (25) was charged with Criminal Attempt – Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of an injured person.
Dashawn B. Smith-Murphy (28)
Dashawn B. Smith-Murphy (28) was charged with Complicity, Aggravated Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of an injured person.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
MidJersey.News 
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