Day: January 10, 2023

Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton, NJ Man Sentenced To 27-Months In Prison For Events During Civil Disorder On May 31, 2020

January 10, 2023

NEWARK, N.J. – A Mercer County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for attempting to interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder when he attempted to set fire to a police vehicle during a riot in Trenton, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Kadeem A. Dockery, 31, of Trenton, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On May 31, 2020, large-scale protests were held throughout the United States, including in Trenton, in response to the death of George Floyd. Although the May 31st protest in Trenton was peaceful earlier in the day, violence erupted later. A group of individuals proceeded down East State Street in downtown Trenton and began to riot, smashing store fronts, looting stores, and attacking multiple marked Trenton Police Department vehicles parked on the 100 Block of East State Street.

A city of Trenton street camera and other video footage taken by an individual present on the street recorded Dockery lighting an explosive device and throwing it through the open front driver’s side window of a Trenton Police Department vehicle, attempting to set the police vehicle on fire. The footage captured the sound of an explosion, and smoke emanating from the police vehicle. Law enforcement later identified Dockery through analysis of street camera and other video footage. Dockery was arrested on Aug. 5, 2020.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Dockery to three years of supervised release.

Dockery is the last of four individuals sentenced in connection with the protest in Trenton. Earlja J. Dudley was sentenced in March of 2022 to 30 months in prison; Killian F Melecio was sentenced in June of 2021 to 28 months in prison; and Justin D. Spry was sentenced in September 2021 to 24 months in prison.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, with the investigation leading to the sentence. He also thanked officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Steve E. Wilson; troopers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; and officers of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, under the direction of Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Michelle S. Gasparian of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division.

23-008 

Defense counsel: Lawrence George Welle Esq., Wall, New Jersey

File photos and video by: Brian McCarthy

Trenton Burns As Rioters Torch Cars, Loot Stores And Clash With Police After “Peaceful Protest” Goes Violent At Dusk
Mercer County, West Windsor, West Windsor

East Windsor Man Charged Aggravated Assault And Other Charges In West Windsor

January 10, 2023

WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police report that on January 4, 2023 at 5:36 p.m. Patrol & Traffic Units responded to the Valero (Princeton Hightstown Road/Southfield Road) on a report of an active physical altercation.  K9 Officer Pollini arrived at the scene where all parties were separated and the following was determined: a male, identified as Kishan Patel, of East Windsor, NJ, had stopped with a friend to buy gasoline for his vehicle.  A dispute started with the attendant when Patel felt he had been incorrectly provided $1 less of gasoline than he paid for and that the attendant owed him $1.  The dispute began as verbal and escalated when Patel exited his vehicle and punched the victim twice in the face causing minor injuries.  Patel was determined to have brandished a folding knife during the encounter.  The knife was located at the scene by Traffic Officer McQuade in nearby empty garbage can.  

West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services arrived at the scene to attend to the victim who sustained cuts to his forehead and nose area.  The victim declined to be  transported to a hospital by WWDFES.  

Patel was placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.  Patel was transported to WWPD Headquarters for processing and released pending a future Mercer County Superior Court Date.                       

Jackson, Lakewood, Ocean County

Jackson Man Charged With Three Counts Of Aggravated Assault And Eluding Law Enforcement

January 10, 2023

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Kevin Valverde-Cruz, 20, of Jackson, has been charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault and three counts of Eluding Law Enforcement in connection with incidents that occurred on October 18, 2022 and October 22, 2022, in Lakewood Township.

On October 18, 2022, Detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department observed a white Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling at a high rate of speed.  The Detectives attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle.  The operator of the vehicle failed to stop and the pursuit was ultimately terminated on the Garden State Parkway due to public safety concerns.  Later the same evening, the same vehicle, confirmed by the vehicles New Jersey registration number from the first encounter, was located on the shoulder of the westbound lane of Central Avenue in Lakewood Township.  Detectives approached the vehicle and made contact with the operator of the vehicle.  The operator of the vehicle did not comply with the Detective’s commands and put the vehicle in reverse, striking the Detective’s vehicle. The operator of the vehicle abruptly turned back into the roadway almost striking the Detectives and fled the area. At that time, one of the Detectives fired one round at the side of the vehicle.

On October 22, 2023, a Lakewood Police Officer attempted effectuate a motor vehicle stop on the same vehicle in the area of Third Street and Clifton Avenue.  The operator of the vehicle failed to stop and accelerated at a high rate of speed towards Madison Avenue.  The Officer did not pursue the vehicle.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that Valverde-Cruz was the operator of the white Jeep Grand Cherokee on October 18, 2022 and again on October 22, 2022. 

On January 10, 2023, the Ocean County Regional SWAT executed a court authorized search warrant on Valverde-Cruz’s residence in Jackson Township. Valverde-Cruz was taken into custody, without incident, and processed at Lakewood Township Police Department. The white Jeep Grand Cherokee was also located at the residence in Jackson Township.  Valverde-Cruz was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Jackson Township Police Department, Howell Township Police Department, Ocean County Regional SWAT and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation and Valverde-Cruz’s apprehension.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

R.P.C.  3.6(b)(6).

Mercer County, Ocean County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville

Robbinsville Police Dog Bite Case Settles For $110,000

January 10, 2023

By: –John Paff of Transparency NJ

https://transparencynj.com/

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)- On January 6, 2023, Ocean County Superior Court Judge Craig L. Wellerson approved a $110,000 settlement to resolve a child’s lawsuit against the Robbinsville Police Department (Mercer County) and Edward Vincent who, according to app.com’s DataUnverse, is a Robbinsville police officer. According to the lawsuit, the girl was visiting Vincent’s home on January 13, 2018 when a dog at the home “attacked and bit” her.

According to court filings, the dog was owned by the police department and was in Vincent’s custody at the time of the alleged incident. The girl, whose age was not disclosed, relied upon a certification by her plastic surgeon to help justify the settlement amount.

One half of the $110,000 judgment was assessed against the police department and the other half against Vincent. The girl’s attorney received $29,641.44 for his fees and expenses and the remaining $80,538.56 was placed in trust for the girl with the Ocean County Surrogate.

The case is captioned Jennifer Clifton, et al, v. Robbinsville Police Department, et al, New Jersey Superior Court Docket No. OCN-L-1240-21. and Clifton’s attorney was Robert Y. Cook of Forked River. The civil lawsuit and settlement agreement are on-line here.

None of lawsuit’s allegations have been proven or disproven in court. Settlement agreements typically state that payment does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing by any of the employees or officials named in the lawsuit. The lawsuit’s allegations are just that–allegations.

robbinsville.pd_.dogbiteDownload