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.
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monroe County, Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 200 months in prison for his role in distributing large quantities of heroin and cocaine in the Bayshore area of Monmouth and Middlesex counties, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
Guy Jackson, 49, of Effort, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Jackson also admitted to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today via videoconference.
Today’s sentence follows a coordinated takedown in November 2018 of 15 defendants charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. To date, 13 defendants have pleaded guilty. Supplier Gregory Gillens was sentenced on Sept. 8, 2020, to 10 years in prison. Co-defendant Daniel McHugh was sentenced to 90 months in prison; co-defendant David Nagy was sentenced to one year and one day in prison; co-defendant Shavar Williams was sentenced to time served, which amounted to approximately 14 months in prison; co-defendant Daryl Jackson was sentenced to five years’ probation with 10 months of home detention; and co-defendant Brian Hall was sentenced to three years’ probation with eight months of home detention. Co-defendants Krystal Cordoba, Daniel Alfano, Tyler Scarangello, Christy Dube, Richard Gethers, and Lashawn Mealing are awaiting sentencing. Defendant Deberal Rogers has been indicted, and charges were dismissed against one defendant.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From May 2017 to November 2018, Jackson and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the Raritan Bayshore region of Middlesex and northern Monmouth counties. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that Jackson regularly supplied large quantities of heroin and cocaine for further distribution. Some of the heroin distributed by the conspiracy contained fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Martinotti sentenced Jackson to five years of supervised release. Four vehicles that Jackson used in the course of the drug conspiracy, as well as in excess of $10,000 in cash that Jackson admitted was proceeds of drug trafficking, were previously seized and administratively forfeited.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including representatives from the Bradley Beach Police Department, Brick Police Department, Howell Police Department, Marlboro Police Department, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Toms River Police Department, and Union Beach Police Department) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch, Jr.; special agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, Scranton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Matawan Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas J. Falco, Jr.; the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Mioduszewski; the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Burton; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey; the Old Bridge Police Department, under the direction of Chief William A. Volkert; the Keansburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Wayne Davis; the Hazlet Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ted A. Wittke; and the Aberdeen Police Department, under the direction of Chief Alan Geyer, with the investigation leading to this week’s sentencings.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations against the remaining defendant are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Lorraine Gauli-Rufo Esq., Verona, New Jersey
FBI began investigating Christopher Jensen, 68, for assuming the identity of a 17-year-old boy in order to entice and solicit an underage girl to send nude and sexually explicit images over the internet.
November 29, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Monmouth County, New Jersey man, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for knowingly receiving child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Herman Christopher Jensen, 68, of Union Beach, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to a one-count information charging him with knowingly receiving child pornography. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
FBI began investigating Jensen for assuming the identity of a 17-year-old boy in order to entice and solicit an underage girl to send nude and sexually explicit images over the internet. Jensen did this by creating a fake Facebook account, purporting to be a teenaged boy named “Kevin Bennett.” From January 2018 through about August 2018, Jensen used the “Kevin Bennett” Facebook account to communicate with the minor victim frequently, causing her to believe that she was involved in a romantic relationship with “Kevin Bennett.”
Jensen requested nude and semi-nude photographs from the victim minor through Facebook’s messenger service. As time went on, Jensen received increasingly explicit videos depicting the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit activity. In August of 2018, Jensen revealed to the minor victim that he was not, in fact, the 17 year-old teenager he purported to be, but instead an adult named Chris Jenson. The victim continued to communicate with Jensen via the “Chris Jensen” Facebook account. In December 2018, the minor victim traveled to New Jersey to live with Jensen.
On Dec. 19, 2018, local authorities became involved in the matter causing the removal of the victim from Jensen’s residence.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Jensen to lifetime supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the FBI and the Red Bank Resident Agency’s Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. She also thanked the Union Beach Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Michael J. Woodrow, for its assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry Farhat of the Government Frauds Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
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Defense counsel: John C. Feggeler Esq., Matawan, New Jersey
Luray, VA – Based on a preliminary identification of remains found Monday, April 26, 2021, the search for Ty Sauer conducted by Shenandoah National Park with support from Virginia Department of Emergency Management has been suspended. All trails in the Hazel Mountain area have been reopened. The body of a male believed to be Ty Sauer was discovered by searchers today at 2:55 p.m. The body is being transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for positive ID and determination of cause of death. The remains were found in the park about 2.5 miles from the boundary in Rappahannock County and about 2 miles from where he was last seen Thursday, April 22.
Shenandoah National Park joins Virginia Department of Emergency Management in thanking the many organizations that were involved including DOGS-East, Christian Aid Ministries Search & Rescue, Va. Search & Rescue Dog Association, Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group, Rockingham-Augusta Search & Rescue, Old Rag Mountain Stewards, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Trot Search & Rescue, Blue & Gray Search & Rescue Dogs, Search & Rescue Tracking Institute, Piedmont Search & Rescue, K-9 Alert, Va. State Police, Louisa County Sheriff’s Department, Shenandoah Nordic/Backcountry Search and Rescue, Mid-Atlantic D.O.G.S., Greene County, Rockingham Fire, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Luray Police Department.
Ty Sauer, 18, from Union Beach, NJ was a Keyport High School Student.
April 26, 2021 Dear Keyport Families, It is with deep sorrow that I must convey some sad news. Late this afternoon we received information regarding the loss of a Keyport High School student. Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to the family. We are all in shock and to help us grieve, we will have counselors available to our students and staff . In fact, this evening’s Google Meet is in progress and will remain open until 9:30 p.m. The Traumatic Loss Coalition is a community partner and will work collaboratively with us as the school community copes with grief. The Keyport Public School Crisis team has established both in-person and virtual counseling centers throughout Keyport High School. These locations and virtual links will be communicated to all staff and students tomorrow at the start of the school day. Counseling services will also be available to students at Keyport Central School. Students that are struggling are encouraged to utilize these support services at any time throughout the school day. If you feel that your children are having difficulty we are here to support them. Please feel free to contact our counseling office at 732-212-6100 ext 3257 or guidance@kpsdschools.org. This is a difficult time for all and it is important to keep the lines of communication open. Again, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Lisa Savoia, Ed.D Superintendent of Schools
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–As you may be aware, this year’s November General Election in New Jersey is being conducted primarily by mail-in ballots, per State mandate. On November 3, 2020, Election Day, limited polling locations will be open for voting on paper provisional ballots only, except for disabled voters.
Voters across Monmouth County are receiving their mail-in ballots this week and are encouraged to contact the County Clerk’s Election Office at 732-431-7790, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with any questions about the delivery of their ballots.
Due to this unprecedented change in our election process, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon has provided a comprehensive webpage on MonmouthCountyVotes.com, explaining this year’s election process.
In addition, our office has provided video tutorials, including an animated step-by-step video informing Monmouth County voters of how to properly complete and return their mail-in ballots. The tutorial also explains how the paper ballots are reviewed and verified by the Monmouth County Board of Elections.
The video can be viewed on our Facebook and YouTube pages. We encourage you to share this important information with your friends and neighbors.
Election Hotline Established to Secure Election Integrity
To help ensure free and fair elections in Monmouth County, the County Election Offices and Prosecutor’s Office have established an election hotline. To report any issues of voter fraud or misconduct in Monmouth County, residents can call the County Prosecutor’s Office hotline at 855-786-5878.
“Our democratic system of government depends on free and fair elections and, as such, election integrity and security is important to all of us,” said County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni and County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon. “For these reasons, our offices are working together to further safeguard the electoral process.”
Upcoming Dates and Voter Deadlines
Monday, October 12th: All County Offices closed in observance of Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 13th:Voter Registration Deadline for the November General Election
Friday, October 30th: Application Deadline for General Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters
Tuesday, November 3rd at 8 p.m.: Close of the polls; Deadline to deliver mail-in ballot by U.S. Postal Service mail, Drop Box, or in-person to the County Board of Elections at 300 Halls Mill Road in Freehold or at assigned Polling Place.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–An Allentown resident told MidJersey.News that around 11 pm last night a delivery crew installed a Vote-By-Mail Drop Box in front of Allentown at Borough Hall on Main Street. There are currently 17 Vote-By-Mail Drop Box locations for Monmouth County, this is the furthest west serving Western Monmouth County.
Pursuant to State law, the November 3, 2020 General Election will be conducted primarily by Mail-In Ballot in New Jersey.
If you wish to place your Mail-In Ballot in a secure drop box, below are the locations throughout the County which will be available starting the week of September 15. Addresses in the list below are clickable and will bring up Google Maps.
Voters can drop their voted Mail-In Ballot into these Board of Elections Drop Boxes anywhere in the County up until 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020. You do not have to be a resident of the town where the drop box is located. Be advised that these drop boxes are under video surveillance and are monitored by the Monmouth County Board of Elections, which can be reached at 732-431-7802.
For more information about the General Election process, click here.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he conspired to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin as part of a conspiracy responsible for distributing significant quantities of heroin and cocaine in the Bayshore area of Monmouth and Middlesex counties, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Daniel McHugh, 50, of Sayreville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti via videoconference to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. McHugh also admitted to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine.
Today’s guilty plea follows a coordinated takedown in November 2018 of 15 defendants charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. To date, 13 defendants have pleaded guilty, including supplier Gregory Gillens and lead defendant Guy Jackson. Gillens was sentenced on Sept. 8, 2020, to 10 years in prison. Jackson is awaiting sentencing.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From May 2017 to November 2018, McHugh and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the Raritan Bayshore region of Middlesex and northern Monmouth counties. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that McHugh regularly obtained heroin and cocaine for further distribution from Jackson. Some of the heroin distributed by the conspiracy contained fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.
On the date of his arrest, McHugh gave consent to search his residence. During that search, law enforcement recovered quantities of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine intended for further distribution.
The heroin conspiracy count to which McHugh pleaded guilty carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited Special Agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including representatives from the Bradley Beach Police Department, Brick Police Department, Howell Police Department, Marlboro Police Department, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Toms River Police Department, and Union Beach Police Department) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr.; Special Agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, Scranton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Driscoll; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent; the Matawan Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas J. Falco, Jr.; the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Mioduszewski; the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Burton; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni; the Old Bridge Police Department, under the direction of Chief William A. Volkert; the Keansburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief James K. Pigott; the Hazlet Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Meehan; and the Aberdeen Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard A. Derechailo, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations against the two remaining defendants are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: James R. Murphy Esq., Princeton, New Jersey
As noted in the original post the SBA Sergeants Benevolent Association will be organizing the “Tribute In Light” this year: (bumped to the top so you can find it easier)
MIDDLETOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Mayor of Middletown sent a letter to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to express deep disappointment and outrage against the decision not to have the “Tribute in Light” in New York City this year. Middletown Township lost 37 members of the community on 9/11. The mayor called not having the lights a disgrace and is disgusted that the National September 11 Memorial & Museum Board has cancelled the largest visible tribute to those who made the greatest sacrifice for our country.
Middletown Mayor Tony Perry states that Middletown, NJ would host the lights if New York City does not want to.
Union Beach, NJ has also stated they will host beams of light from their waterfront.
Personal Facebook statement from Al Lewandowski Borough of Union Beach Councilman: Ok so NYC can’t do the lights because it’s not safe… So starting on Friday September 11 at 7pm till 10 pm and Saturday the 12th same time Union Beach will keep their PROMISE. We’ll have the beams in the air from our waterfront. More to follow on this event. We would like to thank our Union Beach Recreation with this tribute. Never Forget!
NYC Sergeants Benevolent Association
NYC Belongs to the People, The Lights Will Go On…
Ed Mullins, the President of the 13,000 member NYC Sergeants Benevolent Association, announced today that the SBA will host a Tribute in Light on the evening of September 11, 2020. This is in response to the city canceling the annual commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks because of COVID-19 concerns.
“Mayor de Blasio has once again failed to represent the people of this city with his inability to provide a viable alternative to this sacred annual event,” said Mullins.
“He allowed mass protests and riots in the city with no concerns whatsoever about the pandemic. He has shown time and again that he has no allegiance to crime victims in this city, whether they are killed in street encounters or by terrorists.
“The 9/11 attacks was an act of war on our nation, and the Tribute in Light remembrance paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 innocent victims who were murdered that day, as well as all of the people that continue to die from 9/11 related ailments and illnesses. These victims include members of the NYPD, PAPD, FDNY and other First Responders, as well as all of the people who went to work that day and died for our country.
“The mayor won’t find a way to honor these heroes, but the SBA will pay tribute to all of the fallen victims by arranging for a Tribute in Light. A twin beam of light will shine on the evening of 9/11. The men and women of the Sergeants Benevolent Association will make sure of that.
“The mayor might have a short and selective memory, but the members of the NYPD will NEVER FORGET the sacrifice of every person who lost their life that fateful day.”
NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTERS SLAM CANCELLATION OF 9/11 LIGHT OBSERVANCE
9/11 Survivors Call for Reversal of Decision to Cancel Towers of Light
NEW YORK, NY: FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro released the following statement slamming the decision by the 9/11 Museum to cancel the 9/11 Tribute Lights that have brightened the sky above downtown Manhattan for 18 consecutive years in memorial of the lives lost on September 11, 2001:
“New York City Firefighters stand united in opposition to the cancellation of the annual Towers of Light. The first responders and New Yorkers who have lived through September 11, 2001, and now persevered through the coronavirus pandemic, are feeling betrayed. I haven’t spoken to a single tradesman that isn’t ready and willing to work — especially, to complete the honor of lighting the sky on the anniversary of the darkest day in American history. These are more than light beams displayed once a year — they are beams of solace for a still-grieving nation and the literal embodiment of ‘never forget.’
“The Towers of Light have been, and will always be, a symbol showing that New York City and this country can not be kept down, and will stand strong and proud in the face of any tragedy or disaster. It shines to the heavens as a reminder of those we have lost. There has been no time where this message is more relevant and poignant.
“To remove this display this year, of all years, is an indication that the museum does not understand the value, or the importance, of the sacred duties in which they have been entrusted. These lights are a symbol that brings about raw emotion from all New Yorkers, especially those who lost loved ones and responded that day. I call upon the museum to reverse their decision, or risk becoming a new source of loss as New Yorkers look above to an empty sky as we hope to emerge from these dark times. The Uniformed Firefighters Association is an organization of action and we will not stand by. We are prepared to take action if the decision is not reversed,” said Andrew Ansbro, President, Uniformed Firefighters Association.
The ceremonial “Towers of Light” that shine from NYC in tribute to those lost on 9/11 are an iconic symbol of hope. Because Tunnel to Towers is fully committed to the idea that we must NEVER FORGET, the Foundation is doing everything in its power to make sure that the Towers of Light will once again be illuminated. Read more: https://tunnel2towers.org/911-reading-names/
MidJersey.News was in Middletown and Atlantic Highlands on 9/11/2001 below are scenes from the Monmouth County shoreline. 37 Middletown residents and thousands of others never returned.
Never Forget:
MidJersey.News file photos from Atlantic Highlands and Middletown Township ambulances waited for survivors to be brought to the docks and a view of the smoke plume from the WTC site as seen from Monmouth County, NJ. MidJersey.News was there that day and will never forget.
NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man has been charged with knowingly receiving images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Herman Christopher Jensen, 67, of Union Beach, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of knowingly receiving child pornography. He was arrested on May 6, 2020, and appeared by teleconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson. Jensen was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The FBI began investigating Jensen for assuming the identity of a 17-year-old boy in order to entice and solicit a minor to send nude and sexually explicit images over the internet. Jensen did this by creating a fake Facebook account, purporting to be a teenaged boy named “Kevin Bennett.” From January 2018 through August 2018, Jensen used the “Kevin Bennett” Facebook account to communicate with the minor victim, causing the victim to believe the victim was in a involved in a romantic relationship with “Kevin Bennett.”
Jensen requested nude and semi-nude photographs from the victim through Facebook’s messenger service. The victim obliged to his requests. As time went on, Jensen received increasingly explicit videos.
In August of 2018, Jensen revealed to the victim that he was not, in fact, the teenager he purported to be, but instead, an adult named Chris Jensen. The victim continued to communicate with Jensen via the “Chris Jensen” Facebook account. In December 2018, the victim traveled to New Jersey to live with Jensen, where Jensen began having sex with the minor victim.
On Dec. 19, 2018, local authorities became involved in the matter causing the removal of the minor victim from Jensen’s residence.
The charge of knowingly receiving child pornography carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a statutory maximum fine equal to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and task force officers of the FBI and its Red Bank Resident Agency Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Union Beach, New Jersey, Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Michael J. Woodrow, for assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry Farhat of the Government Frauds Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Candace Hom Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender
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