TUCKERTON, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 5, 2023, Ronald Yaniak, 56, of Little Egg Harbor Township, was charged with Criminal Sexual Contact in connection with an incident that occurred in Tuckerton on March 4, 2023.
On March 4, 2023, the Borough of Tuckerton Police Department received a 911 call from a female stating that she was touched inappropriately by an Uber driver while she was utilizing the ride-sharing service. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit and the Borough of Tuckerton Police Department determined that the victim and three fellow passengers called for an Uber ride from Barnegat to Tuckerton. During the ride, the Uber driver inappropriately touched the victim – who was seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that Yaniak was the driver of the subject vehicle and that he did, in fact, touch the victim inappropriately. On March 5, 2023, Yaniak was charged with Criminal Sexual Contact at the Tuckerton Police Department, processed, and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit and Borough of Tuckerton 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.
TUCKERTON, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 4, 2022, Jeremy Bradley-Forman, 34, of Tuckerton, was charged with Possession of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b)(iii).
This investigation was the result of referrals from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Task Force detected that a Google Account user was downloading images of child pornography from the internet. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit identified a Google Account user with a Tuckerton address as the individual downloading the images of child pornography; that individual was further identified as Bradley-Forman.
On August 4, 2022, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit and Tuckerton Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on Bradley-Forman’s residence in Tuckerton. As a result, Detectives seized a desktop computer with a hard-drive containing images of child pornography. Multiple additional electronic items were seized from Bradley-Forman’s residence and are pending forensic examination. Bradley-Forman was subsequently taken into custody at his residence, processed at Tuckerton Police Department Headquarters, and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Tuckerton Police Department, United States Department of Homeland Security-Investigations Unit, and New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Bradley-Forman’s arrest.
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).
Jeremy Bradley-Forman, 34, of Tuckerton
Jeremy Bradley-Forman, 34, of Tuckerton, was charged with Possession of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b)(iii).
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 25, 2022, Donald Rutter, 53, of Tuckerton, was sentenced by the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, J.S.C. (retired and temporarily assigned on recall), to five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), in connection with an incident that occurred during the evening hours of January 5, 2021 in Little Egg Harbor Township. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, meaning that Rutter will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Judge Daniels also sentenced Rutter to 18 months NJSP as a result of his guilty plea to Stalking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10b, in connection with the same incident. The sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, Judge Daniels executed a Permanent Stalking Restraining Order barring Rutter from having any contact with the victim, Thomas Jarvis, 55, of Little Egg Harbor. Rutter pled guilty to both charges before Judge Daniels on June 13, 2022.
On January 5, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Little Egg Harbor Township Police were dispatched to Jarvis Marine on Radio Road in response to a 911 call which related that an individual had been shot. Responding Officers found Mr. Jarvis with an apparent gunshot wound to his midsection. Mr. Jarvis was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. He was treated for his injuries and eventually released from the hospital.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit revealed that Rutter was, in fact, the individual who shot Mr. Jarvis. An exhaustive search of the surrounding area by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Tuckerton Police Department, was unsuccessful in locating Rutter in the aftermath of the shooting. As such, a warrant was issued for Rutter’s arrest.
On January 28, 2021, Rutter was ultimately located in Atlantic City and taken into custody, without incident, by the United States Marshals Service. He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill and Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Tuckerton Police Department, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Rutter’s apprehension, guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentence.
TUCKERTON, NJ (OCEAN)–The Tuckerton Fire Department has been out of service to the community Since June 6, 2022, 44 days when equipment was removed and the Tuckerton Borough Council voted to pass a resolution “Suspending Emergency Service From The Tuckerton Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 For The Borough Of Tuckerton And Providing For Alternative Emergency Service Coverage.”
On July 18, 2022 the Fire Company sent a letter to the NJ Attorney General’s Office to investigate several allegations of misconduct. That letter in its entirety is posted below with a link to the Fire Department’s Facebook page.
“DAY 44 – OUT OF SERVICE We are asking the New Jersey Attorney General to look into a few things that we feel are improper or illegal.” — Tuckerton Fire Department Facebook page.
TUCKERTON, NJ (OCEAN)–At a special council meeting late yesterday afternoon the Borough of Tuckerton Council passed a Resolution “Suspending Emergency Service From The Tuckerton Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 For The Borough Of Tuckerton And Providing For Alternative Emergency Service Coverage.” (See full resolution obtained by OPRA requests along with exhibits posted below).
According from documents obtained by MidJersey.news by OPRA requests, it appears that on May 16, 2022 there was an inspection done and a Notice of Unsafe or Unhealthful Working Conditions and order to comply was issued within 15 days by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Office of Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health. The notice was for violations of the Respiratory Protection Standard for not providing fit testing for employees using MSA Ultra Elite self-contained breathing apparatus within the previous 12 months. The order states that the Borough of Tuckerton was previously cited on July 19, 2018. PEOSH concluded that the Borough of Tuckerton was aware that the items stated were not in compliance and therefore had repeatedly violated the PEOSH standard.
The Notice stated that the Borough Administrator and Fire Chief were advised via closing conference on December 3, 2021 that the fit testing records were outdated. The Fire Chief stated they had difficulty getting the fit testing scheduled due to COVID-19 hardships of the private company used to conduct the fit testing, however the Chief was unable to provide documentation of those requests. The Department remained out of compliance from May 2021 though the opening conference on December 3, 2021. Once the PEOSH inspection was initiated, the Chief was able to immediately schedule fit testing with two separate private companies. On December 10, 2021 CSHO conducted a follow-up phone call with the Borough Administrator and again confirmed that this would be a repeat violation. On December 14 and December 28, 2021, the members of the Tuckerton Fire Department were fit tested to abate the citation.
The Borough and Fire Company were issued $24,500. penalty from Office of Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health for violations that were abated on December 28, 2021.
On Monday June, 6, 2022, the Borough Administrator Jenny Gleghorn received a letter from Office Fire Department Preparedness Senior Planner – Emergency Management Fire, Donald Nelsen from the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety advising of issues at the Tuckerton Fire Company. The letter states that there was a meeting on June 1, 2022 and “not one of the items of direction needed were provided in any sort of bolstering manner to give the Division of Fire Safety confidence in the successful operation of your municipal fire department under the current circumstances. Seven points were spelled out my Friday April 22, 2022 memorandum to Chief Eggert for our scheduled meeting. Only one of the seven points were adequately addressed – number three regarding Incident Safety Officer certification of Firefighter Lewis Eggert Jr.” (See full document below obtained by OPRA request for additional details).
A Facebook Post from the Tuckerton Fire Company said, “The Borough Council took action this evening, we remain completely out of service, including the EMS portion. Here are the Council’s vote, Borough Attorney Christopher Connors reading the letter from Division of Fire Safety, and the public comments. We are overwhelmed by the amount of support this evening by both residents and business owners. You are the greatest !!! The first public speaker is someone who we can’t thank enough for coming out today. He was a CPR save last summer here in Tuckerton. He and his wife gave many years of service to the old Tuckerton First Aid Squad. Thanks to them also for their service.”
A member of the Tuckerton Fire Company stated, “All requested paperwork that was requested was fully submitted, the last of it yesterday.”
TUCKERTON BOROUGH, NJ (OCEAN)–According to the Tuckerton Fire Company the department received a letter from Tuckerton Borough about ceasing fire operations around 1:15 p.m. today. The Borough states in the letter that they are ordering the fire company to cease operations and remove Borough owned equipment because they are in receipt of a letter from the Division of Fire Safety stating that the Borough is not adequately protected by its volunteer fire company because of non-compliance with certain rules and standards. (See copy of letter below for more details).
A statement received tonight from Tuckerton Fire Company President Julio Cerrato said “At this point we have no more information available. The borough attorney advised the borough administrator not to release the letter from the NJ Division of Fire Safety until Tuckerton Borough Council has a chance to read and discuss it.”
Tuckerton Fire Department Facebook Page states: (this is an update to their Facebook post, since their original post)
As of about 1:15 this afternoon, The Tuckerton Fire Company is REMOVED FROM SERVICE.
See attached letter.
More details to follow as we determine what exactly is going on.
The Borough of Tuckerton has removed the fire apparatus from the firehouse without notifying us.
Talk about putting Tuckerton residents in danger, we get out for calls and are here for the residents of Tuckerton.
Any residents who would like to come out and express their support for the fire department can come to the special council meeting this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the municipal building.
This is a developing story please check back for updates as they become available.
MidJersey.news has reached out to the Borough of Tuckerton for a statement and at time of publication has not received a reply.
MidJersey.news has reached out to a representative of the Tuckerton Fire Company and was told that they will be able to provide an update after the company meeting tonight.
Please check back for more details as they become available.
TUCKERTON, NJ (OCEAN)–The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office (OCPO) has completed its investigation into the November 21, 2019 use of force by one patrolman of the Tuckerton Police Department and has concluded that the use of force was legally justified. The OCPO determined that it is not necessary to present this matter to the grand jury because there were not material facts in dispute regarding the lawfulness of the use of force. The investigation was conducted in accordance with the then applicable Attorney General’s Independent Prosecutor Directives (Attorney General Supplemental law Enforcement Directive Regarding Uniform Statewide Procedures and Best Practices for Conducting Police Use of Force Investigations Directive 2006-5 and the Independent Prosecutor Directive 2019-4) (“Directives”). Pursuant to those Directives, the Attorney General’s Office conducted an independent review of the use of force and agreed with OCPO’s determination that there were no material facts in dispute and that the use of force by the officer was justified. The Attorney General’s Office concurred with OCPO’s conclusion to forego presentation of this matter to the Grand Jury.0
The incident occurred on November 21, 2019, at 10:22am in the Borough of Tuckerton. Officer 1 of the Tuckerton Borough Police Department attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop of a Black Nissan Altima at Delta Gas Station located at 109 East Main Street. Officer 1 was in uniform and approached the Nissan and advised the driver and front seat passenger, Miguel Angel Villegas, that they were being stopped for obstruction of view and a seatbelt violation. Officer 1 could not identify a valid motor vehicle license under the name the driver provided and had asked her to exit the vehicle.
The driver exited the vehicle briefly before reentering the Nissan and accelerated out of the gas station heading north on North Green Street. The Nissan then collided with the left side of an unrelated northbound vehicle. The Nissan came to an uncontrolled rest in the front yard of a residence on the southbound side of the road. Officer 1 pursued the Nissan and stopped at the scene of the accident. As he approached the unrelated vehicle on the northbound side of the road to check on the occupant, he observed Villegas and the driver outside their vehicle next to the passenger side of the Nissan on the opposite side of the road. Officer 1 further observed that Villegas had his hands in his waist area and ordered him to show his hands multiple times. At that point in time, Villegas removed a dark colored handgun from under his clothing, pointed it at Officer 1 and began firing at him. Officer 1 discharged his weapon in response as he had no other option to protect his life. Neither Villegas, Officer 1, nor any bystanders were hit in the gunfire. Villegas fled south on foot towards East Main Street, where he broke into a garage, stole a bicycle and ultimately secured a Lyft ride to North Jersey. Officer 1 did not have a body worn camera and his vehicle was not equipped with a mobile video recorder (MVR). Surveillance video was recovered from the Delta Gas Station showing the suspect vehicle departing from the initial motor vehicle stop conducted by Officer 1. Additionally, detectives were able to recover video from the Wawa convenience store showing Villegas entering a Lyft car which enabled him to travel to North Jersey.
The driver/victim was interviewed and indicated that Villegas was her boyfriend and that he had ordered her to drive him to New Jersey from Connecticut because he was wanted by police there. The parties traveled to Tuckerton to get fuel on their trip back home from the Atlantic City area. Villegas had told her to provide a fake name to Officer 1 during the traffic stop, pointed a handgun at her and told her to drive while pushing her foot on the accelerator pedal. She recalled being in the accident and being between Villegas and Officer 1 when the gunfire started and that Villegas had the gun shortly before the gunfire started.
There were multiple witnesses who observed the incident. One witness observed the entire exchange between Officer 1 and Villegas. He confirmed that Officer 1 gave multiple verbal commands to Villegas to show him his hands to which Villegas did not comply. The citizen also observed Villegas pull out a gun and fire upon Officer 1 at which time Officer 1 returned fire. An additional witness stated she did not see the events leading up to the shooting, however, she did see a male matching the description of Villegas shooting in the direction of a police officer at the scene of the accident. A third witness observed the collision between the suspect vehicle and a third party vehicle. She observed Officer 1 order a male matching the description of Villegas to the ground with negative results. She also observed Villegas brandish a firearm and fire it toward the third party vehicle, which was in the direction of Officer 1. It was at that time she was pulled behind a vehicle by Officer 1 for protection and Officer 1 returned fire. A fourth witness observed a male matching the description of Villegas standing next to his vehicle shooting across the street in the direction of a police officer. All four of these witness accounts corroborate the timeline of events as described by Officer 1.
After a joint effort by local, county, state and federal partners, Villegas was located in New York City hours later.
Ballistic reports indicate that a total of twenty-three shots in total were fired off and accounted for during the shooting. Two of those shots were reportedly from a 9mm handgun, matching the description of the weapon in Villegas’ possession. Twenty-one shots were fired from a 40 caliber weapon, matching that of Officer 1.
Villegas was charged with Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, and Possession of Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose and Possession of Handgun without a Permit. He waived extradition to New Jersey. On February 4, 2020, Villegas was indicted on the Attempted Murder of Officer 1, Kidnapping, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Hindering Apprehension, and Aggravated Assault by Auto, Eluding, and Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Burglary, and Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm.
On August 13, 2021, Villegas pled guilty to first degree Attempted Murder and third degree Hindering Apprehension. At the time of sentencing, the State is seeking 15 years New Jersey State’s Prison on the Attempted Murder charge, subject to the No Early Release Act, concurrent to a 5 year flat term on the Hindering Apprehension charge. He is to be sentenced before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C. on September 27, 2021.
The Office of the Attorney General and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer are satisfied that the undisputed facts establish that Tuckerton Patrolman used the appropriate force necessary to protect his life and that of innocent bystanders and that he was legally justified in doing so.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 13, 2021, Miguel Angel-Villegas, 31, of New Haven, Connecticut, pled guilty to Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), as well as Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(4), before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., relative to a shooting incident that occurred in Tuckerton on November 21, 2019. At the time of his sentencing on September 27, 2021, the State will recommend a term of fifteen years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Attempted Murder charge, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, and five years NJSP as to the Hindering charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
On November 21, 2019, a Tuckerton Borough Police Officer performed a lawful stop on a motor vehicle in which Angel-Villegas was a passenger. During the course of the stop, the vehicle pulled away at a very high rate of speed and collided with another vehicle. Angel-Villegas exited the vehicle, pulled out a firearm and began firing at the Officer. Angel-Villegas subsequently fled on foot and was apprehended later the same evening by the United States Marshals Service and members of the New York City Police Department – just outside of Penn Station, New York City. A subsequent investigation by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit revealed that Angel-Villegas ordered his then-girlfriend – the driver of the vehicle – to provide the Tuckerton Police Officer with a fictitious name due to his belief that he was wanted on a parole violation out of the State of Connecticut, and then forced her to speed away from the Officer during the motor vehicle stop.
Villegas has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his return to New Jersey.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Chief Trial Attorney Michael Weatherstone and Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, United States Marshals Service, New York City Police Department, Tuckerton Borough Police Department, Little Egg Harbor Police Department, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center, New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, New Jersey Transit Police, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, New Haven (Connecticut) Police, Port Authority Police, Tuckerton Fire Department, and Tuckerton Public Works Department, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Villegas’ apprehension, guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.
The coordinates land under Tuckerton Cove, between “Thorofare Point” off Great Bay Boulevard in Little Egg Harbor Township and “Gaunt Point” near South Green Street in Tuckerton Borough.
The Ocean County Sherriff’s Office reports, “We received a report of a house shaking earlier in Little Egg Harbor. We are not confirming this to be an earthquake, only sharing information.”
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has announced that Donald Rutter, 61, of Tuckerton, a fugitive from justice who was charged on January 6, 2021 with the Attempted Murder of Thomas Jarvis, 55, of Little Egg Harbor, was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Atlantic City on January 28, 2021.
On January 5, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Little Egg Harbor Township Police were dispatched to Jarvis Marine on Radio Road in response to a 911 call which related that an individual had been shot. Responding Officers found Thomas Jarvis with an apparent gunshot wound to his midsection. Mr. Jarvis was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. He has since been released from the hospital and is reportedly recovering from his injuries.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit revealed that Rutter was, in fact, the individual who shot Mr. Jarvis. An exhaustive search of the surrounding area by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Tuckerton Police Department, was unsuccessful in locating Rutter in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. As such, a warrant was issued for Rutter’s arrest charging him with Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), as well as Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1).
On January 28, 2021, Rutter was ultimately located in Atlantic City and taken into custody, without incident, by the United States Marshals Service. He is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
“I am extremely thankful for the outstanding teamwork exhibited by all the law enforcement agencies involved in locating Rutter. This is a prime example of law enforcement at its best, with our partners at the local, county, state, and federal levels coming together – working tirelessly for more than three weeks – to capture a fugitive from justice. Their collaboration and perseverance certainly paid off today, as Rutter is now lodged in the Ocean County Jail,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer would like to acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Tuckerton Police Department for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Rutter’s apprehension.
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.
Donald Rutter, 61, of Tuckerton
Donald Rutter, 61, of Tuckerton, a fugitive from justice who was charged on January 6, 2021 with the Attempted Murder of Thomas Jarvis, 55, of Little Egg Harbor, was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Atlantic City on January 28, 2021.
MidJersey.News 
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