NEWARK, N.J. – A German man made an intial court appearance on Friday, March 24, 2023 on charges that he traveled to New Jersey for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Christian Stefan Walther, 38, of Erfurt, Germany, is charged by complaint with one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Walther is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Law enforcement authorities have been investigating Walther since January 2023 for child exploitation offenses. Two undercover officers communicated with Walther via email, phone, and an encrypted messaging app concerning Walther’s desire for sexual encounters with young children. During the investigation Walther sent an undercover officer two videos, each of which depicted an adult male sexually assaulting a prepubescent female child. Walther also expressed his desire to engage in sexual conduct with children aged 8 to 12, and explained that he had lied to his friends in Germany about the purpose of his trip to the United States. On March 23, 2023, Walther traveled from Germany to New Jersey to meet the undercover officers in advance of what he believed would be a sexual encounter with one or more children at a hotel.
The charge of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct carries a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked officers of the New Jersey State Police, under the leadership of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Specht of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
MEDFORD, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The New Jersey State Police have charged Jonathan P. Ryker, 25, of Hammonton, N.J., with sexual assault for allegedly assaulting minors who he coached at Rockstar Cheer in Southampton, N.J.
In August 2022, detectives from Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Medford Township Police Department began investigating explicit content that was sent from Jonathan P. Ryker to a minor via social media. During the 8-month investigation, detectives were able to identify another victim of Ryker who was also a student at Rockstar Cheer.
Ryker was additionally charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated criminal sexual contact. Ryker was lodged in Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing.
If you or anyone you know may have been a victim please contact the New Jersey State Police Red Lion Station at 609-859-2282. Anonymous tips are welcomed.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty
Robbinsville Police reported that a 22-year-old motorcyclist has died after the crash. The driver of a Toyota Camery from Yardly, PA was uninjured. Full Robbinsville Police Department Press Release listed in the image below earlier story.
March 31, 2023
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Around 5:47 p.m. multiple 9-1-1 calls to both Robbinsville and Monmouth County reporting vehicle hit a motorcycle at the intersection of Old York Road and Montgomery Way. Robbinsville Fire Department, EMS and Police responded as well as NJ State Police, Hope Fire Company, Capital Health EMS from Allentown responded to the scene. There were reports of serious life-threating injuries to the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was transported by EMS with Captial Health Paramedics to RWJ at Hamilton Hospital. Robbinsville Township Police along with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash. Old York Road will be closed from County Road 524 to Gordon Road until the accident investigation is completed. No further details are available at this time.
Fire Police from Mercer County and Monmouth County Fire Police are assisting with traffic control in the area.
UPDATE:
Robbinsville Police, NJ State Police, Robbinsville Fire Department, Hope Fire Company of Allentown, Captial Health Allentown EMS, Robbinsville EMS, Captial Health Paramedics at the scene of a serious crash on Old York Road at Montgomery Way in Robbinsville Township.
Police also noted in their report that during the investigation of the CO leak, Engine 40 discovered numerous hazards, safety concerns in the dwelling. Specifically, it was observed that there were no CO carbon monoxide detectors, not enough smoke detectors, and many points of egress were blocked. Police noted in the report that a door was screwed shut to the frame, and another with two planks of wood mounted across it, preventing it from being opened. As a result, there was only one working point of exit for the occupants.
March 31, 2023
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—According to documents obtained from an OPRA (Open Public Records Act) request by MidJersey.news it was revealed that an EMT’s carbon monoxide alarm sounded in a North Main Street home while treating a patient for a possible stroke. High levels of carbon monoxide were found in the dwelling. It was later revealed that the home was turned into a boarding house and housing thirty-three BAPS Temple volunteers. The building was evacuated, the Police, Fire Department, Construction Department and Fire Marshal responded.
According to reports, Robbinsville Ambulance 40, EMS workers responded to 93 North Main Street in Windsor on March 15, 2023 for a person believed to be having a stroke. When the ambulance crew entered the structure “A40 single gas CO monitor began to alarm.” Warning the ambulance crew of carbon monoxide present. The Fire/EMS report states “The patient was removed from the building and into the ambulance for further assessment. A40 transported with ALS to RWJ Hamilton. Squad 40 remained on scene and investigated the CO alarm.”
The Robbinsville Police Department report states police responded with Ambulance 40 and Engine 40 for a patient with possible stroke symptoms. As the EMT’s were evaluating the patient the EMT’s carbon monoxide detector emitted a warning about carbon monoxide levels in the dwelling.
The Robbinsville Police Department report also stated that the “building was currently housing thirty-three female work volunteers for the BAPS Temple (112 North Main Street).”
According the police record, Engine 40 investigated and confirmed that there was very high CO levels within the home. All occupants were evacuated immediately.
Police also noted in their report that during the investigation of the CO leak, Engine 40 discovered numerous hazards, safety concerns in the dwelling. Specifically, it was observed that there were no CO carbon monoxide detectors, not enough smoke detectors, and many points of egress were blocked. Police noted in the report that a door was screwed shut to the frame, and another with two planks of wood mounted across it, preventing it from being opened. As a result, there was only one working point of exit for the occupants.
Police notified the Robbinsville Township Engineer Construction Official and the Robbinsville Fire Marshal. The building was not allowed to be occupied until a inspection the following day.
The record states that, after Engine 40 had been able to properly vent the building and the carbon monoxide was at a safe level, the residents were allowed to retrieve their necessary belongings, and were then relocated by BAPS representatives. Once the residents all left, the building was secured and police tape was put across the doorways.
The report stated that the Township Engineer Construction Official did respond to the location to investigate and posted the building as an Unsafe Structure/Immediate Hazard due to the unapproved boarding and various code violations.
The Property Record Card indicates that the property is owned by PRAMUKH SWAMIJI LLC, 8005 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore, Maryland. It was purchased for $1,001,000 on December 20, 2017. The Property Class is 3A “Farm Property (Regular)”
The Construction Department issued a “Notice of Unsafe Structure” on March 16, 2023 states “Unapproved Boarding/Rooming House, Unsafe Equipment, No Smoke or CO Alarms”
The Construction Department “Notice of Violation and Order To Terminate” on March 16, 2023 states “Unapproved Boarding/Rooming House”
There are three “Notice of Violation and Order to Terminate” indicating that “Work Done Without A Permit”
There are also three “Notice and Order of Penalty” notices issued on March 16, 2023 with “failed to obtain construction permit” with an order to pay of $2,000 with a combined total of the three orders of $6,000. In penalties were issued.
UPDATE: Statement from Robbinsville Township Council Regarding BAPS Investigation
April 10, 2023
Members of Township Council are profoundly disturbed by the recent findings at dwellings on North Main Street and Voelbel Road. The conditions found within those buildings, the number of occupants residing there, along with the myriad of Fire Code and Uniform Construction Code violations are obviously unacceptable. The safety and well-being of all residents and visitors to Robbinsville Township is paramount, and we will continue to do everything within our power to hold the person(s) responsible for these violations accountable. As Mayor Dave Fried stated previously in media interviews, all the houses known to be boarding dozens of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha volunteers have been shut down with some deemed uninhabitable until all required repairs are completed, and inspections conducted. All Code violations found will be pursued in Municipal Court. Robbinsville Township Administration and the Police Department have referred the case to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. While outside agencies are investigating, including the FBI, we ask for your patience as they carefully and methodically review the case. While we understand people want to know all the details as soon as issues occur, that is not always possible because those pieces of information could very well disrupt and even derail an investigation. There is a team of people working hard every day to keep everyone safe. Please keep in mind Robbinsville officials, with the help of residents, initiated these raids. Please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Township Administration and our Police Department. Also feel free to reach out to us at council@robbinsville.net.
Sincerely,
Debbie Blakely – President Mike Todd – Vice President Chris Ciaccio Ron Witt Mike Cipriano
**********
All documents obtained by OPRA, Open Public Records Act request by MidJersey.News are listed below:
Police noted in the report that a door was screwed shut to the frame, and another with two planks of wood mounted across it, preventing it from being opened. As a result, there was only one working point of exit for the occupants.
The Robbinsville Police Department report also stated that the “building was currently housing thirty-three female work volunteers for the BAPS Temple (112 North Main Street).
Photo obtained by OPRA request states CO pipe heater
HILLSBOROUGH, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Hillsborough Township Chief of Police Michael McMahon announced the arrest of Amanda O’Keefe, age 37, Hillsborough, New Jersey in relation to the death of her husband, Robert O’Keefe, age 41, Hillsborough, New Jersey who died after being struck with a vehicle at his residence on Saturday, February 25, 2023, in Hillsborough.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at approximately 2:28 a.m., Hillsborough Township Police Officers and Hillsborough Emergency Services were dispatched to a residence in Hillsborough Township in response to a 9-1-1 call. The victim, identified as Robert O’Keefe, was struck by a vehicle driven by his spouse, Amanda O’Keefe and was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene. Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigation Unit and members of the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (C.A.R.T.) responded to the scene to investigate along with detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department. Investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene to investigate.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that the investigation revealed that Amanda O’Keefe was over the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (B.A.C.) limit at the time of incident. On March 29, 2023, as a result of this investigation, Amanda O’Keefe voluntarily responded to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, where she was arrested and charged with 2nd degree, Death by Auto. Defendant O’Keefe was lodged in the Somerset County Jail and subsequently released on Thursday, March 30, 2023 with conditions of release pending future court appearance.
The investigation remains on-going.
Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Fodor, and Chief McMahon request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at (908) 369-4323 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–According to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, a former Robbinsville Police Department employee, Eric Coran pleaded guilty yesterday, March 30, 2023, to one count of second-degree theft by unlawful taking before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Bartels. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the state will recommend Coran be sentenced to four years in state prison; forfeit all future public employment; and make restitution in the amount of $252,465.48. Sentencing is scheduled for July 13.
On Friday, August 12, 2022, a criminal complaint was signed charging Eric Coran, 41, of Medford, NJ, with second-degree official misconduct, multiple counts of theft, criminal computer activity and impersonation, and second-degree money laundering. Coran has been employed by the Robbinsville Township Police Department as a communications officer since 2002. His responsibilities included purchasing, ordering, programming, and maintaining police equipment including police radios, emergency lights, sirens and controllers. Coran was terminated from his job on Friday after being suspended without pay since July 2022.
TRENTON (March 31, 2023) – One lucky ticket matched all five numbers drawn winning the $140,764 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot from the Thursday, March 30, drawing. The winning numbers were: 03, 20, 35, 39 and 41 and the XTRA number was: 02. The retailer will receive a bonus check for $2,000 for the winning ticket sold. The winning ticket was sold at Rite Aid #1326, 1801 Kuser Rd., Hamilton in Mercer County.
HAMILTON / ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Twin sisters from Hamilton who have collected more than 18,000 pairs of pajamas for children in need are the recipients of the 2023 Vern Applegate Community Service Award sponsored by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.
The Rotary Club presented the award to Lauren and Mackenzie Multari who formed Lala & Mimi’s Pajama Project to provide basic bedtime comfort to less fortunate children in New Jersey and beyond.
“We are honored to recognize Lauren and Mackenzie with this special award,” said Rotary Club President Kalpana Patel. “They have put smiles on the faces of kids for more than 12 years through their selfless acts of community service. They are wonderful role models.”
The sisters, now college-bound seniors at The Peddie School, began collecting and donating pajamas as kindergartners, asking for PJs for others instead of birthday party presents. They later established the non-profit Lala and Mimi’s Pajama Project, an initiative regularly supported by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.
The award comes with a $500 donation. It is named for the late Vern Applegate, a former member of the Rotary Club who personified the Rotary ideal of “service above self.”
Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton President Kalpana Patel (center) flanked by Lauren (l) and Mackenzie (r) Multari, winners of the Vern Applegate Community Service Award.
FREEHOLD — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkintoday announced that a former member of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) has been sentenced to prison time without the possibility of parole, after a jury found him guilty of misusing an NJSP identification card, which he should not have had in his possession, in order to get out of a series of police traffic stops in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Ex-NJSP Sgt. Marc Dennis, 51, of Waretown, was sentenced on charges of official misconduct and a pattern of official misconduct. State Superior Court Judge Lourdes Lucas, presiding in Monmouth County, ordered Dennis to serve five years in state prison, during which he will be ineligible for parole.
When Dennis was suspended by the State Police in September 2016, he was ordered to surrender his NJSP identifications and was relieved of his law enforcement powers. But an investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and the NJSP Office of Professional Standards revealed that he improperly retained a State Police identification he had been issued, and was presenting it to officers who pulled him over on at least nine occasions, all while he was suspended from duty.
“This defendant used a State Police ID he improperly retained after a suspension to benefit himself by violating the public’s trust,”saidAttorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “I am deeply grateful for the commitment, sacrifice and upstanding character that the vast majority of our state’s law enforcement officers exhibit on and off the job. We will not tolerate abusive behavior by one bad actor reflecting poorly on the numerous officers abiding by the law, upholding it and making New Jersey safer.”
“This ousted sergeant improperly and deceitfully posed as an active-duty member of the State Police to law enforcement during traffic stops to get favorable treatment,” said OPIA Executive Director Thomas Eicher. “The court’s decision in this case was a just outcome and illustrates that no one is above the law.”
Dennis’ initial suspension and charges dated to September 2016, stemming from his job performance. He was accused of failing to follow State Police procedures while claiming otherwise in official records and certifications.
When he was suspended, Dennis was told to hand over his NJSP identifications. OPIA investigators found he surrendered most of them, but not all: he held onto a NJSP ID that he had obtained after reporting in January 2016 that he had lost his wallet. The investigation found that the defendant was making use of that ID, in spite of his suspension and pending criminal case, by presenting it to police officers who pulled him over in Marlboro, Toms River, Berkeley Township, Lakehurst and elsewhere. The defendant was stopped nine times from the date of his suspension, September 19, 2016, through April 2018, and during those stops he had shown that ID and presented himself as an active member of the NJSP.
Following his trial, on May 10, 2022, a jury convicted Dennis of one count each of second-degree official misconduct, second-degree pattern of official misconduct, and third-degree theft by unlawful taking in connection with his misuse of his ID to avoid motor vehicle citations.
After hearing extensive arguments from both sides at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold on March 15, 2023, Judge Lucas sentenced the defendant on both the official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct counts, with the sentences to run concurrently, and merged the theft count. The court also ordered that the defendant forfeit his pension and job, and banned him from public employment for life.
The sentencing was handled by Deputy Attorney General Sherrod Smith and OPIA Deputy Director Anthony Picione, under the supervision of OPIA Executive Director Thomas Eicher.
Defense attorneys
Eric Todd Kanefsky, Gregory Mullens and Gianna Bove, of Calcagni & Kanefsky, Newark.
PERTH AMBOY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that three campaign workers for a Perth Amboy City Council candidate have been indicted for Bribery, Witness Tampering and Election Law Violations.
On March 30, 2023, following the presentation of evidence by Assistant Prosecutor Russell Curley, the Middlesex County grand jury returned a seven- count indictment charging campaign workers Ana Camilo, 62, Annet Sanchez, 52, and Maria Peralta, 60, all of Perth Amboy, with various offenses stemming from their involvement in efforts to offer gift cards to voters in return for completed mail-in ballots that contained votes for their chosen candidate.
Camillo was indicted on two counts of third-degree Bribery, third- degree Unlawful Possession of a Ballot, third-degree Attempt to Cast an Illegal Ballot and third-degree Election Law Violation, for her role in meeting and attempting to bribe an undercover detective, who was posing as a Perth Amboy voter.
Sanchez and Peralta were indicted on one count of third-degree Retaliation Against a Witness for their roles in engaging in harassing conduct toward a witness who provided information concerning Camilo’s involvement in the voter fraud.
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.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Camilo are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
SAYERVILLE, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Daniel Plumacker of the Sayreville Police Department announced today that Thomas
V. Pollando, the former Sayreville Borough Democratic Chairman, has been indicted along with his son and daughter-in-law.
Over the course of an investigation spanning weeks in July and August of 2022, Detectives from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office were conducting electronic surveillance of a business in Sayreville. While conducting surveillance, detectives observed Pollando accept several thousands of dollars in cash and heard him claiming that he would attempt to use his political clout to influence an ongoing criminal case. Further investigation into Pollando revealed that he directed another candidate’s campaign funds for Sayreville Borough Council to be used to pay for personal expenditures and he also directed that election records be falsified to cover up that payment.
On March 30, 2023, Following the presentation of evidence by Assistant Prosecutor Russell Curley, the Middlesex County Grand Jury returned a fourteen-count indictment charging Thomas V. Pollando, 73, David Pollando, 42 and Lizmarie Pollando, 29, all of Sayreville, with various offenses. Thomas Pollando was charged with three counts of second-degree Bribery, second-degree Acceptance of an Unlawful Benefit by a Public Official, third-degree Hindering His Own Apprehension, fourth-degree Theft by Deception, fourth-degree Falsifying Public Records, second-degree Official Misconduct and second-degree Pattern of Official Misconduct. David Pollando was charged with second-degree Conspiracy, second-degree Witness Tampering, second-degree Retaliation Against a Witness and third- degree Terroristic Threats. Lizmarie Pollando was charged with second- degree Conspiracy and third-degree Hindering the Apprehension of Another.
The counts against David and Lizmarie Pollando stem from an encounter in November 2022 that occurred in Old Bridge, wherein it is alleged that David Pollando threatened a witness. The investigation further revealed
that Lizmarie Pollando alerted her husband to the witnesses’ location and thereafter lied to police when questioned about the incident.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Thomas, David, and Lizmarie Pollando are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
MEDFORD, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Medford Township Police Chief Arthur E. Waterman announced that a Medford Township man has been charged with killing his wife in their Regent Court home last week.
Babu Natarajan, 40, was charged with Murder (First Degree). He was taken into custody yesterday at his residence and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
The case will be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.
The investigation began on the afternoon of March 21, when officers from the Medford Township Police Department were called to the residence for a report of an unconscious and unresponsive female adult.
Upon arrival, they found the body of Angammal Babu, 41, on the bed in the upstairs master bedroom. The 911 call was placed by the defendant, who indicated to responding officers that his wife had taken a nap because she was tired.
An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood concluded that the manner of death was homicide, and the cause of death was due to compression of the victim’s neck.
The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Medford Township Police Department. The lead investigators are BCPO Detective Al-Jerome Burnett-Crawford, BCPO Detective Melyssa Alonso, MTPD Detective Sergeant Jeff Samalonis and MTPD Detective Mark Hunsinger.
Natarajan will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BCPO the Major Crimes Unit.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Babu Natarajan, 40, was charged with Murder (First Degree). He was taken into custody yesterday at his residence and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Around 8:47 a.m. Trenton Police Department and Trenton Fire Department responded to Route 29 between Lee Avenue and Sanhican Drive for a accident with reported entrapment. Upon arrival of the fire department it was reported that a car crashed through a fence, and everyone was out of the vehicle walking around with no reported life-threating injuries. Trenton fire units remained on scene for a short time. Trenton Police is investigating the crash. No further information is available.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 8:54 a.m. Ewing Township Fire Departments responded to the first block of Farrell Avenue for a reported rubbish fire with exposure to the home. Firefighters arrived and quickly extinguished the fire. Fire Investigators were called to the scene. No additional details are available at this time.
PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)–The Wall Street Journal reported that one of their reporters, Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen, was detained by Russia on Russian claims of espionage.
Evan Gershkovich was a 2010 graduate of Princeton High School and was captain of the boy’s soccer team his senior year.
According to Gershkovich LinkedIn profile he is a reporter with the Wall Street Journal since January 2022. He has also worked for AFP Agence France-Presse, The Moscow Times, The New York Times and Fellow Princeton in Asia. He graduated Bowdoin College in 2014.
Evan Gershkovich, a reporter with the Wall Street Journal detained in Russia on claims of espionage. Photo from LinkedIn profile.
Gottheimer Statement on American Journalist and New Jersey Native Evan Gershkovich Detained in Russia
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, March 30, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, released the following statement regarding the Russian detainment of American citizen, Wall Street Journal reporter, and New Jersey native Evan Gershkovich:
“Not since the Cold War has a foreign journalist been charged with espionage in Russia, but ruthless dictator Vladimir Putin has continued his egregious acts of aggression — this time targeting American journalist and New Jersey native Evan Gershkovich. Putin must be held accountable for his horrific war of aggression against Ukraine and for the unjust detainment of an American citizen.
Putin and his cronies will do everything in their power to suppress free speech and the press in an attempt to cover up their atrocious and inhumane war crimes. There cannot be proper accountability without freedom of the press.
I will do everything I can to help secure Mr. Gershkovich’s freedom. I have requested an immediate briefing from the House Intelligence Committee and will continue to be in communication with the State Department.
We must stand united against Russia’s vicious attack on democracy and freedom of the press.”
MidJersey.news photos:
Photos of Evan Gershkovich a Princeton High School Graduate played on the soccer team for the high school.
Breaking: Russia’s main security agency said it had detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen, for what it described as espionage https://t.co/5mr3h7uroZ
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