Category: Medford

Medford, NJ, Man Admits Conspiring Bank Fraud and Money Laundering

November 17, 2023

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man admitted participating in schemes to negotiate fraudulent checks with forged signatures and to launder money from another fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Eugene Koranteng, 30, of Medford, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

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

Koranteng conspired with Misty Sarfo-Adu, Emmanuel Yirenkyi, and others to commit bank fraud by obtaining blank checks containing the names and account information of unsuspecting customers of a credit card company. They made the checks payable to members of the conspiracy, forged the customers’ signatures on the checks, and negotiated the checks at financial institutions. Koranteng admitted that the bank fraud conspiracy caused an actual loss of at least $95,000.

Koranteng also conspired to launder the proceeds of a separate fraud scheme. Koranteng used his personal bank account to negotiate checks that constituted the proceeds of unlawful activity. Koranteng then converted the fraud proceeds to cash to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds. Koranteng admitted that he laundered at least $47,000.

The count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The count of conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2024.

Sarfo-Adu and Yirenkyi previously pleaded guilty before Judge Kugler to their participation in the same bank fraud conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also thanked the Moorestown Police Department for its assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

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Defense counsel:
Koranteng: David Bahuriak Esq. Philadelphia
Yirenkyi: Robert Wolf Esq. Haddon Township, New Jersey
Sarfo-Adu: Paul Sarmousakis Esq., Avalon, New Jersey



Cheer Coach Charged With Allegedly Assaulting Minors Who He Coached

March 31, 2023

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


Medford Man Charged With Murdering Wife, Medical Examiner Concludes Homicide Due To Compression Of Victim’s Neck

March 30, 2023

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.


Carjacking Reported At Medford WaWa On Route 70

October 26, 2022

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.