Day: November 18, 2022

Carteret, Edison, Middlesex County, Monroe Twp, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, Plainsboro, Woodbridge

Operation Eagle Eye Busts Eight Men And One Juvenile In Multiple Child Porn Investigations In Middlesex County

November 18, 2022

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today, that thanks to multiple agencies diligent hard work and dedication to public safety, eight men and one juvenile were arrested and charged for their involvement in multiple child pornography investigations, Operation Eagle Eye.

As a result of Operation Eagle Eye led by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from, the New Jersey State Police, East Brunswick Police Department, Edison Police Department, Carteret Police Department, Monroe Police Department, New Brunswick Police Department, Old Bridge Police Department, Perth Amboy Police Department, Piscataway Police Department, Plainsboro Police Department, Sayreville Police Department, and the Spotswood Police Department, a juvenile male was charged on November 1, 2022, and eight men were arrested without incident and charged over the course of two days, November 17, 2022, and November 18, 2022.

Albert Leonardis, 37, of Edison was charged with one count of second- degree Distribution of Child Pornography, one count of third-degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files), and one count of second- degree Storing and Maintaining Items Depicting the Sexual Exploitation or Abuse of Children Using a File Sharing Program.

Christopher Hernandez, 18, of New Brunswick, was charged with one count of third-degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files).

Alexander Antoini De Oliveria, 39, of Old Bridge, was charged with one count of second-degree Distribution of Child Pornography, one count of second-degree Storing and Maintaining Items Depicting the Sexual Exploitation or Abuse of Children Using a File Sharing Program, one count of second-degree Possession of Child Pornography (over 1000 files).

Joseph Marino, 40, of Carteret was charged with one count of third- degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files), one count of second-degree Distribution of Child Pornography, and one count of second- degree Storing and Maintaining Items Depicting the Sexual Exploitation or Abuse of Children Using a File Sharing Program.

Paul Rubbe, 62, of Piscataway, was charged with one count of third- degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files).

Edward Gicherman, 81, of Monroe, was charged with one count of third-degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files) and one count of second-degree Storing and Maintaining Items Depicting the Sexual Exploitation or Abuse of Children Using a File Sharing Program.

Abhishek Pandya, 25, of Edison, was charged with one count of third- degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files) and one count of second-degree Distribution of Child Pornography.

Christopher Nicol, 20, of Plainsboro, was charged with one count of third-degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files).

A juvenile male, 17, of Woodbridge, was charged with an act of juvenile delinquency for offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute as third-degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 files).

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-5924.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Leonardis, Hernandez, Antoini De Oliveria, Marino, Rubbe, Gicherman, Pandya, Nicol, and the juvenile male are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Millstone, Millstone, Monmouth County, Upper Freehold, Upper Freehold

Troopers Bust High End Vehicle Crime Ring Operating In Millstone And Upper Freehold Townships; NJSP Investigation Takes Down Organization

The auto-theft ring targeted high-end vehicles in Monmouth County, Mercer County, Ocean County, Union County, Essex County, Somerset County, Hunterdon County, Burlington County, Bergen County, Middlesex County and New York State.

November 18, 2022

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)– The New Jersey State Police have charged six suspects and dismantled an auto theft ring in New Jersey and New York linked to the theft of more than 30 high-end vehicles worth more than $3 million during a seven-month investigation.

In May, detectives with the Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office began investigating multiple high-end motor vehicle thefts in Millstone Township and Upper Freehold Township. As a result, detectives identified Geovanni Hernandez, 24, of Newark, N.J. as a suspect and linked him to the theft of a BMW M8 and three Land Rover Range Rovers in Upper Freehold Township and Millstone Township. On July 22, detectives located Hernandez and arrested him.

As a result of the on-going investigation, detectives identified Carlos Sanchez, 23, of Newark, N.J. as the leader of an auto-theft ring targeting high-end vehicles in Monmouth County, Mercer County, Ocean County, Union County, Essex County, Somerset County, Hunterdon County, Burlington County, Bergen County, Middlesex County and New York State. Detectives also identified James Lanier, 24, Solomon Mickens, 23, and Sadiq Griggs, 23, all of Newark, N.J. as associates.

Through various investigative means, detectives determined that the suspects were also targeting residences while victims were home and committed burglaries in an attempt to steal the vehicles. After stealing the vehicles, the suspects would transport them to other locations where they were given fraudulent vehicle identification numbers to be re-titled and sold through an online marketplace.

On November 17, members of the Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office, State Police Auto Theft Task Force, T.E.A.M.S. Unit, K-9 Unit, and Strategic Investigations Unit Central with assistance from members of the United States Marshals NY/NJ Fugitive Task Force and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office executed search warrants at the residences of Mickens and Sanchez, and at a motel in Avenel, N.J. where Sanchez was staying. As a result of the searches, detectives arrested Sanchez and Mickens and seized a 9mm handgun, a high-capacity magazine, key fobs, and electronic devices linked to the operation. Detectives later arrested Griggs at a residence in Newark and Lanier in a vehicle in Newark. Destiny Montalvo, 21, of Newark, N.J. was located at her residence and was arrested for conspiring to dispose of evidence.

Below: NJ State Police staging in Upper Freehold Township, it was unclear if this operation had anything to do with the bust mentioned.

The suspects were charged with the following:

Carlos Sanchez

• Leader of an auto theft trafficking network

• Conspiracy to commit theft

• Theft by unlawful taking

James Lanier

• Conspiracy to commit theft

• Theft by unlawful taking

• Burglary

Geovanni Hernandez

• Conspiracy to commit theft

• Burglary

• Theft

• Receiving stolen property

Solomon Mickens

• Conspiracy to commit theft

• Theft by unlawful taking

Sadiq Griggs

• Conspiracy to commit theft

Destiny Montalvo

• Tampering with physical evidence

All suspects were lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a bail detention hearing. This case is being prosecuted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Freehold, Monmouth County

Sayreville Man Found Guilty Of Hate Crime Killing EMT And News Reporter/Photographer Jerry Wolkowitz In Freehold, NJ

November 18, 2022

FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County Jury has returned guilty verdicts on the most serious charges against the man who attacked and killed a stranger in Freehold Township four and a half years ago, solely because of the victim’s race, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Friday.  

Following an approximately seven-week trial before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Lourdes Lucas, 30-year-old Jamil Hubbard of Sayreville was convicted of first-degree Murder, first-degree Bias Intimidation, second-degree Eluding, third-degree Theft from the Person, third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and third-degree Motor Vehicle Theft, all in connection with the death of 56-year-old Jerry Wolkowitz.

At approximately 7:15 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, May 1, 2018, members of the Freehold Township Police Department and other first responders rushed to the Chesterfield Apartments on Harding Road on a report of a physical altercation involving a person struck by a vehicle. At that location they found Wolkowitz in the apartment complex’s parking lot, having sustained severe injuries to his head, abdomen, and back. Wolkowitz was subsequently rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for emergency treatment.

Missing from the parking lot was Wolkowitz’s vehicle, a Kia Forte, which Hubbard was later found to have stolen. Hubbard then led police on a pursuit, refusing to obey commands to pull over, until it was terminated due to high speeds and out of concern for public safety. Minutes later, the Kia was found abandoned on Bordentown Avenue in Sayreville, and Hubbard was arrested by members of the Sayreville Police Department without incident at his home in the nearby Winding Wood Apartments.

An investigation involving numerous members of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau, Freehold Township Police Department, and Sayreville Police Department later revealed that Hubbard was in the area that morning because he had slept in his vehicle overnight, having engaged in an argument with his ex-girlfriend, a resident of the apartment complex, the night before. When he woke up, he told investigators, he spotted Wolkowitz walking nearby and decided to try to kill him because he was white, initially attacking him from behind with punches and kicks before stealing his wallet and car keys. He also told investigators he dragged the victim into the parking lot and ran him over.

Wolkowitz, a longtime member of the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad and a freelance photographer, remained hospitalized in a coma until he died due to his injuries on Thursday, October 18, 2018. A Monmouth County Grand Jury returned a seven-count indictment against Hubbard in March 2019.

Hubbard’s prosecution was handled by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Hoda Soliman and Keri Schaefer, who presented evidence at trial refuting an attempted insanity defense, showing that Hubbard’s conduct was intentional, knowing, and deliberate.

“This was the textbook definition of a senseless crime, and as our prosecuting team astutely noted in their closing argument, ‘senseless’ does not mean ‘insane,’” Acting Prosecutor Santiago said. “Mr. Wolkowitz was an innocent victim, minding his own business and on his way home from work, when his life was snuffed out over something as trivial as the color of his skin. Such a monstrous act necessitates that justice be served, and we sincerely thank the jury in this case for carefully weighing the evidence and reaching the appropriate conclusion.”

Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for March 31, 2023, at which time Hubbard will face a term of up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Hubbard was represented at trial by Allison Friedman, Esq. and Katherine M. Caola, Esq.

Jamil Hubbard of Sayreville (Left) was convicted of first-degree Murder, first-degree Bias Intimidation, second-degree Eluding, third-degree Theft from the Person, third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and third-degree Motor Vehicle Theft, all in connection with the death of 56-year-old Jerry Wolkowitz (Right).

Retired Robbinsville fire captain Dennis Symons said he first met Wolkowitz sometime in the 1990s when he was working as a freelance photographer for the Allentown Messenger.

“A lot of stories or sports we were covering at the time overlapped so I would be shooting side by side at games and events. Jerry was a really nice guy and we were always talking about the latest equipment or assignments we were covering.”

Read More: NJ journalist dies 6 months after brutal ‘hate crime’ attack |

https://www.ems1.com/fatal-incidents/articles/nj-emt-dies-months-after-brutal-beating-vDzb1Y0X5BFGqIkD/

Obituary of Jerry A. Wolkowitz

Jerry A. Wolkowitz, 56, of Freehold Township died on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at AcuteCare Specialty Hospital at Kimball, Lakewood. He was born in Neptune Township and had resided in Manalapan Township and Freehold for most of his life. Jerry was a member of the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad for over 25 years and a member of the New Jersey Press Photographers Association. He was a well-known news photographer for local papers for over 30 years. Jerry is survived by his mother, Martha Wolkowitz, his sisters, Judy Marcus and husband Steven Fried, Goldie Markowitz and husband Frank, a brother, Perry Wolkowitz and wife Cindy; six nieces and nephews, Missy (Doug), Dorie (Saras), David (Tina), Rachel, Steven, and Alyssa; and six great nieces and nephews, Adam, Jordan, Kesley, Dylan, Maya, and Ezra; and his fiancé Peggie Zorovich. Funeral services will be held at the Perrineville Jewish Chapel, 755 Perrineville Road, Millstone Township on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. followed by interment at the Perrineville Jewish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Humane Society or the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad, 18 Spring Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 would be appreciated. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold is in charge of arrangements.

https://nj1015.com/freehold-hate-crime-case-accused-said-he-wanted-to-kill-old-white-man/

State of NJ

Burlington County Agriculture Development Board Votes To Support Bill A4729 Sponsored By Assemblyman Alex Sauickie To Increase Farmland Preservation

November 18, 2022

CREAM RIDGE, NJ –The Burlington County Agriculture Development Board (CADB) voted at its meeting on November 17, 2022, to support legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, which would provide for greater farmland preservation appraisal values.

The bill (A4729) would create a “Statewide Farmland Preservation Formula” to determine the amount offered to farmers to preserve their land. The formula approach considers not only the value of the land but that of the location and characteristics within the region being preserved. This approach is based on the Pinelands Valuation Formula currently employed in the Pinelands Area with remarkable success.

“I want to thank the Burlington CADB for their support,” said Sauickie (R-Ocean). “We must do all we can do to promote farmland preservation. Every acre saved is one less housing unit or warehouse people must contend with. We cannot continue to increase development and traffic at the sacrifice of our farms. l look forward to working with the Burlington CADB on this and other issues that they consider important in the fight to preserve the land and the farmer.”

The legislation was introduced on October 11, 2022 and was referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee, of which Sauickie is a member. The bill is the product of on-going conversations with the Burlington CADB on ways to promote their highly successful farmland preservation program with area farmers.

Burlington County has preserved over 255 farms totaling more than 33,000 acres and is planning to preserve another 11,000 acres over the next ten years.

4729_i1Download

File photos of farm land in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County, NJ

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

Hamilton Man Charged with Kidnapping 14-Year-Old, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, Luring/Enticing A Child, Endangering Welfare Of Child, Distributing CDS And Possession of CDS

November 18, 2022

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Police reported that on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at approximately 8:01 a.m., Hamilton Police were dispatched to the area of Lamont Avenue and Klockner Road on a report of an unknown problem.  A text message on the 9-1-1 emergency system was received by dispatch stating that someone was in need of help and they were sitting in a red Toyota.  Responding Officers located the vehicle parked on the 1800 block of Klockner Road.  Inside the vehicle was a fourteen-year-old juvenile who was reported missing from Trenton.  The juvenile told Officers the vehicle belonged to her friend Andy and that she phoned him on Sunday to pick her up.  She stated she was hanging out at the residence for the last three days and had been sleeping in the vehicle overnight when Andy’s wife is home.  Officers identified Andy as Andrew Hoehn, 34, of Hamilton.  

The juvenile was brought to Hamilton Police Headquarters to investigate further.  An interview was conducted along with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office with the juvenile and found that the juvenile had been having sexual intercourse with Hoehn over the past two months.  After further investigation complaints were signed against Hoehn who was taken into custody on Thursday, November 17, 2022 with the assistance of the Hamilton Police SWAT Team and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.  Hoehn was charged with Kidnapping, Luring/Enticing a Child, Aggravated Sexual Assault (four counts), Sexual Assault (four counts), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (two counts), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts), Distributing CDS (two counts), and Possession of CDS.  Hoehn was taken to the Mercer County Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Dan Inman of the Hamilton Police Division Major Crimes Unit at (609) 581-4035 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.

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.

Andrew Hoehn, 34, of Hamilton charged with charged with Kidnapping, Luring/Enticing a Child, Aggravated Sexual Assault (four counts), Sexual Assault (four counts), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (two counts), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts), Distributing CDS (two counts), and Possession of CDS.  Hoehn was taken to the Mercer County Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.

Mercer County, Trenton

Prosecutor’s Office Identifies 19-Year-Old Killed In Trenton Shooting Yesterday

November 18, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has identified Nay’sean Byrd, 19, of Trenton as the victim of yesterday’s shooting in the 800 block of Carteret Avenue. This is Trenton’s 21st homicide for 2022 with the possibility of another depending on the determination of a fire investigation. Last year on November 17, 2022 there were 35 reported homicides in Trenton and the year ended with 40.

Yesterday the Prosecutor’s Offices stated that the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting homicide in Trenton.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2022, Trenton police responded to a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the 800 block of Carteret Avenue.  Responding officers arrived on scene to discover a white Mercedes SUV that had been struck numerous times by gunfire.  An adult male was located in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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.

Yesterday’s MidJersey.News story here:

Mercer County Homicide Task Force Responds To Carteret Avenue In Trenton For A Shooting Investigation

Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:

  1. 2/15/2022 Antwone Barnes, 37, of Trenton, Stabbing
  2. 2/23/2022 Leonardo Fernandez, 32, of Trenton, Stabbing
  3. 3/01/2022 Shimon Nesmith Jr., 19, of Trenton, Shooting
  4. 3/03/2022 Helen Nelson, 73, of Trenton, Physical Assault
  5. 3/15/2022 Albert L. Barnes, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
  6. 3/25/2022 Sequoya Bacon-Jones, 9, of Trenton, Shooting
  7. 3/31/2022 Tahaad Goss, 16, of Trenton, Shooting
  8. 4/07/2022 Jaquir Queen, 26, of Willingboro, Shooting
  9. 4/09/2022 Leroy Davis, 31, of Trenton, Shooting
  10. 5/01/2022 Jamir McNeil, 25 of Trenton, Shooting
  11. 5/22/2022 Ali Abdullah, 25, of Trenton, Shooting
  12. 6/01/2022 Dreiby Osorio, 16, of Trenton, Stabbing
  13. 9/02/2022 Rasheed Barlow, 35, of Trenton, Shooting
  14. 9/11/2022 Chron Jenks, 34, of Ewing, Shooting
  15. 9/20/2022 Keenan Anthony Trower, 31, of Hamilton Shooting
  16. 10/09/2022 Daquan Brown, 33, of Trenton, Shooting
  17. 10/10/2022 Daveigh Brooks, 25, of Ewing
  18. 10/26/2022 Rayshawn Baines, 41, of Trenton
  19. 11/10/2022 from 9/21/2022 Corrine Daniels, 41, of Park Avenue multiple blunt force injuries
  20. 11/16/2022 Jomar Rodriguez, 29, of Trenton, Shooting
  21. 11/17/2022 Nay’sean Byrd, 19, of Trenton

** Under Investigation Pending determination:

22. ** Cause of fire under investigation by Mercer County Prosecutors Office Brian Wharton, 57, of Trenton

Editorial, MidJersey.news, Opinion

Elon Musk Claims, “New Twitter policy is freedom of speech” As Midjersey.News Twitter Account Features Limited By Twitter

November 18, 2022

Editorial

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Elon Musk Tweeted, “New Twitter policy is freedom of speech, but not freedom of reach.” after MidJersey.News received a notice from Twitter stating MidJersey.News account features have been limited for 3 days due to violations of Twitter Spam Policy. MidJersey.news has not Tweeted any spam messages and has reached out to Twitter technical support for clarification.

Musk has also Tweeted, “As Twitter pursues the goal of elevating citizen journalism, media elite will try everything to stop that from happening”

“Mainstream media will still thrive, but increased competition from citizens will cause them to be more accurate, as their oligopoly on information is disrupted” — Elon Musk

This is the opposite of what has occurred in regard to MidJersey.News feature ban notice that was received this morning.

Elon Musk has also Tweeted that “Kathie Griffin, Jorden Peterson & Babylon Bee have been reinstated.”

So it could be that Twitter’s automated content filters has picked up on certain key words that has squelched out free speech of MidJersey.News and other news sites.

MidJersey.News has reached out to Twitter and Elon Musk via Twitter but has not received a reply about the 3-day account features ban.

MidJersey.news covers local news across the center/mid point, of New Jersey from Trenton to the Jersey Shore.

Screen shot of the notice sent by Twitter on November 18, 2022