Camden, N.J. – Detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a man on Wednesday night in Camden City, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez.
On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at approximately 11:07 p.m., Camden County Police Department Officers responded to Ablett Village in reference to a report of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers located Bryan Roberts, 21, of Trenton, who was unresponsive and not breathing. EMS arrived at the scene and Roberts was found to be deceased.
The investigation is active and ongoing at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tanner Ogilvie of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit at (856) 650-6398 and Detective Vincent Russomanno of the Camden County Police Department at (609) 941-9517. Tips can also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.
NEWARK, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, man admitted his role in a durable medical equipment kickback scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Alexander Schleider, 57, of Lakewood, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of wire fraud.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Schleider owned and operated durable medical equipment (DME) companies in New Jersey that provided orthotic braces to beneficiaries of Medicare and other federal and private health care benefit programs without regard to medical necessity. Schleider and his conspirators obtained prescriptions for the DME braces through the payment of kickbacks and bribes to individuals operating marketing call centers, who in turn utilized the service of telemedicine companies to obtain prescriptions for the DME. Schleider caused losses to Medicare and other health care benefit programs of $21.7 million.
Schleider also committed wire fraud in connection with funds made available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After one of his DME companies received $322,237 from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration Provider Relief Fund, Schleider submitted a fraudulent attestation to HRSA in which he claimed that the DME company provided diagnoses, testing, and care for individuals with possible or actual cases of COVID-19 after Jan. 31, 2020. In reality, the DME company had ceased billing for any services in April 2019. The attestation also falsely claimed that the payment would only be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, and that the payment shall reimburse the recipient only for health care related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to coronavirus. Schleider did not use the funds for those purposes, but transferred them into other accounts and subsequently used them to purchase real estate and vehicles, among other things.
The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. The charge of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 8, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Naomi Gruchacz; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean M. Sherman and DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
UNION BEACH, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, hundreds of people gathered in Union Beach New Jersey, to welcome an American hero back into the community.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation held a home dedication ceremony for USMC Staff Sergeant Ben Webb, handing over the keys to a brand new, mortgage-free smart home.
“It’s been a long road, a long struggle, many dark days of worry, of wondering, and hoping, of praying, and waiting but not anymore. I never stopped believing this day would come, that I would be able to come home, here in my little corner of the world,” said Staff Sergeant Webb.
Staff Sergeant Webb served four overseas deployments, three to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. During his 15 years of service to his country, he suffered multiple concussions and shrapnel wounds from RPG and IED blasts. He was awarded 3 Purple Hearts and retired in 2017.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Smart Home Program builds specially-adapted smart homes, giving America’s catastrophically injured veterans some of their day-to-day independence back and delivering them mortgage-free to these American Heroes.
“Having a mortgage-free home has improved my life immensely not just mentally, but both physically and emotionally, I’m able to enjoy life again. This home will cater to my everyday physical needs, it is such a relieving feeling,” said Staff Sergeant Webb.
All of the essential features of SSgt Webb’s home, the lights, thermostat, and security system, can be controlled via an app or touchscreens installed around the home. The bathroom is completely ADA compliant and the kitchen features lower countertops and a stove that raises and lowers to wheelchair height.
“This year, as we celebrate July 4th, I am honored to hand over the keys to a home that will deliver financial and personal independence back to Staff Sergeant Ben Webb, who has given so much to this country we all love,” said Frank Siller, Chairman & CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
To join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on its mission to provide these life-changing homes to America’s heroes please go to T2T.org and consider donating $11 per month.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Today, after 26 plus years of serving as a police officer, Ptl. Shawn Emmons is retiring. Shawn began his career with the Rutgers Police Department before getting hired by then Washington Township in 1998. Shawn was assigned to the Bike Unit, Traffic Unit, and was a K-9 Officer with K-9 Zilke from 2004 to 2010. In 2020, Shawn was assigned as the School Resource Officer at Pond Road Middle School.
Shawn is a “Cops Cop” and throughout his career he has been involved and assisted with many high-profile cases with the Mercer County Prosecutors Office and Attorney General Office. Shawn served as an Officer in Charge, a Field Training Officer, Humane Law Enforcement Officer and mentor to many of our officers.
We wish Shawn the best of luck as he transitions into his well-earned retirement.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 29, 2023, Patrick Pennell, 55, of Toms River, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Bias Intimidation and Criminal Mischief, in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River on November 22, 2022.
On November 22, 2022, Officers from the Toms River Township Police responded to a residence on Parisian Drive for a report of a disturbance in progress. Responding Officers discovered a vehicle with a shattered driver’s side window parked in the driveway of the residence. A subsequent investigation revealed that the victim was visiting an acquaintance at the residence when Pennell – a neighbor of the acquaintance – approached him and became confrontational. Pennell proceeded to make racial and homophobic slurs to the victim. As the victim was trying to leave, Pennell punched the driver’s side window of the victim’s vehicle, causing it to shatter. Pennell was taken into custody and transported to Toms River Township Police Headquarters. He was processed and charged on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo and Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit and Toms River Township Police Department for their collaborative 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.
TOMS RIVER, NJ–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 29, 2023, John Vincentini, 62, of Lacey Township, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charges of Bias Intimidation and Terroristic Threats, in connection with an incident that occurred in Lacey Township on September 5, 2022.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit and Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that on September 5, 2022, Vincentini was operating a motor vehicle in Lacey Township and followed an Amazon delivery driver into a cul-de-sac as the driver was making deliveries; Vincentini parked his vehicle in such a way as to block the Amazon driver’s vehicle. Vincentini proceeded to confront the driver, questioned why the driver was in his neighborhood, and further inquired as to whether the driver understood that it was a racist neighborhood. Vincentini then asked the driver whether he wanted him to go back to his car, get his rifle, and shoot the driver in the head. The Amazon driver then drove away and contacted the Lacey Township Police Department.
On October 5, 2022, Vincentini surrendered himself to the Lacey Township Police Department. He was processed and released on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo and Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit and Lacey Township Detective Bureau for their collaborative 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.
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–About 6:35 p.m. yesterday June 29, 2023, a vehicle ran off the roadway, struck a utility pole head on and ended up on the opposite side of roadway and burned on CR 524 in front of Keris Tree Farm. Hope Fire Company of Allentown/Upper Freehold responded to the scene and found a fully involved vehicle and extinguished the flames. The occupants were lucky to escape the crash and flames on their own power and were treated by Captial Health EMS/Allentown. It was unclear if anyone was transported to the hospital from the scene. New Jersey State Police is investigating the crash. Jersey Central Power and Light will need to replace the damaged utility pole. No other information is available.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Yesterday, June 29, 2023 around 6:30 p.m. there was a muti-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 130 North at Spirit of 76 Boulevard. The Hamilton Township Fire Department, RWJ EMS and the New Jersey State Police responded to the scene. EMS treated injuries and transported the injured to a local hospital for treatment. No further information is available.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Air pollution caused by smoke from the Canadian wildfires has once again drifted down into the northeastern United States causing dangerous conditions in New Jersey, especially for those in sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, people suffering from asthma, or those with heart or lung conditions.
Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in much of the region is measuring over 100 according to AirNow.gov, and the conditions are expected to continue throughout the day. Kristin Fless, MD, Pulmonologist at RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group and Maya Ramagopal, MD, Pediatric Pulmonologist at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School caution everyone, especially those in high risk groups, to take precautions to keep themselves and their families safe, including:
Staying indoors with windows closed
Limiting outdoor activity to only when necessary
Wearing an N95 respirator mask outdoors to block fine particles
Using air conditioners and air purifiers in your homes
Who is affected most by poor air quality?
“Wildfire smoke emits various compounds, but of most concern is particulate matter (PM). PM 2.5, fine, inhalable particles, which are 2.5 micrometers in diameter, is particularly dangerous as it is easily inhaled into the lungs and causes symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and eye, nose and throat irritation,” said Dr. Ramagopal.
“It’s essential that sensitive populations stay indoors as much as possible to avoid exposure to wildfire smoke,” said Dr. Fless. “Anyone with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults, pregnant women, children and teens should limit outdoor activity and avoid any strenuous activity outside.”
What precautions should I take if I need to be outdoors?
“If possible, wait until the air quality improves before being active outdoors,” Dr. Fless stated. “But if you must be outside, try to shorten the amount of time you’re active or opt for a less strenuous activity such as walking over running.” She also suggests wearing an N95 respirator mask to help protect you from smoke and small air particles if you must spend a prolonged period outdoors.
How can I protect myself and my family at home?
“While at home, it’s important to keep the windows closed with your central air conditioner or window unit running,” stated Dr. Fless. You should also use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from the smoke such as a HEPA filter. If you do not have air conditioning and it’s too warm to stay in your home with the windows closed, Dr. Fless suggests seeking shelter elsewhere.
Also be careful not to add any indoor air pollution to your home such as burning candles or using gas, propane, wood burning stoves, fireplaces, or aerosol sprays. Do not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products, or vacuum during this time as all of these can increase air pollution indoors.
What extra precautions should I be taking to keep my kids safe?
“Children with underlying conditions like asthma and cystic fibrosis are particularly vulnerable to this current environmental problem. The recommendations are similar to those that are made for ‘at-risk ‘adults, and I would like to emphasize the need to adhere to your child’s medication regimen to offer the lungs the most protection,” stated Dr. Ramagopal. “Your lungs don’t fully develop until you are about 20-25 years old so it is vital that you protect children and young adults from wildfire smoke and air pollution as it may affect their lung development and put them more at risk for long-term health conditions. Don’t let kids play outdoors during times when air quality is unhealthy and have them wear an N95 mask if they must be outdoors.”
If you or a family member are experiencing any of the following symptoms that may be caused by wildfire smoke, it’s important to contact your doctor or seek medical attention:
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