Category: Hillsborough

Barnegat, Hillsborough, Ocean County, Somerset, Toms River

Former High School Art Teacher Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting A 14-Year-Old In Toms River, Barnegat And Hillsborough, NJ

June 29, 2023

TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 28, 2023, Raymond Waters, 71, of Pawlet, Vermont, was found guilty of five counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault and thirteen counts of Sexual Assault.  Following a three week-long jury trial before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., the jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that between September 2002 and September 2004, Waters sexually assaulted a minor in Toms River Township, Barnegat Township, and Hillsborough Township (Somerset County).  Waters was remanded to the Ocean County Jail pending sentencing, the date of which has yet to be determined.

In January 2014, the victim responded to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to report that he had been sexually assaulted by Waters and Waters’ husband, Allen Harbatuk, 76, of Hillsborough, New Jersey, between September 2002 and September 2004.  A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau revealed that the victim met Waters in 2002 when he was 14 years-old – while Waters was his art teacher at Toms River High School North.  Further investigation revealed that Waters sexually assaulted the victim at Toms River High School North, the Joseph A. Citta Boy Scout Reservation in Barnegat Township, and Water’s then-residence in Hillsborough.  Additionally, the investigation determined that Water’s husband, Harbatuk, sexually assaulted the victim at the Citta Boy Scout Reservation and the Hillsborough residence.  On October 22, 2014, both Waters and Harbatuk were arrested at their residence in Hillsborough by Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Hillsborough Township Police Department.  They were transferred to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released on bail.

On June 21, 2018, Harbatuk was found guilty of Sexual Assault after a jury trial before the Honorable Therese Cunningham, J.S.C.  On November 2, 2018, Judge Cunningham sentenced Harbatuk to seven years New Jersey State Prison. 

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the diligence and dedication of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman and Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who ably and skillfully tried the case on behalf of the State. The Prosecutor likewise extends his gratitude to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, and Hillsborough Township Police Department, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this matter, ultimately resulting in this guilty verdict.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
Hillsborough, Somerset

Wife Charged In Death Of Husband In Hillsborough Township

March 31, 2023

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.

Amanda O’Keefe, age 37, Hillsborough, New Jersey

Hillsborough, Somerset

Former Hillsborough School District Buildings And Grounds Director Admits To Paying Kickbacks For Fraudulent Overtime Payments

January 26, 2023

Trenton, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey man yesterday admitted to paying kickbacks in return for fraudulent overtime payments that he received in connection with his former role as the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Hillsborough Township School District, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Anthony DeLuca, 61, of Raritan, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to one count of embezzling, stealing, and obtaining by fraud more than $137,000 of funds belonging to and under the care, custody and control of the Hillsborough Township School District, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A).

According to the documents filed in this case:

DeLuca, a long-term employee of the Hillsborough Township School District, was promoted to the position of Director of Buildings and Grounds in approximately July 2019, a salaried position that did not entitle him to overtime pay. Nevertheless, shortly after assuming this position, the School District employee to whom DeLuca reported (referred to as “Individual 1” in the Information) began directing DeLuca to claim that DeLuca was entitled receive overtime payments, including for hours which substantially exceeded those that DeLuca actually worked. DeLuca submitted these claims to Individual 1 who then authorized overtime payments for DeLuca in return for cash kickbacks.

DeLuca admitted in court yesterday that upon receiving the overtime payments approved by Individual 1, DeLuca would typically withdraw cash from his bank account to provide kickbacks to Individual 1. DeLuca stated that Individual 1 would designate the location to which DeLuca should deliver envelopes containing the cash kickbacks, including the console of Individual 1’s vehicle and a drawer in Individual 1’s office desk. DeLuca admitted that through this scheme he received in excess of $137,000 in overtime payments to which he was not entitled and that he provided Individual 1 with at least $39,800 in kickbacks between July 2019 and January 2022.

DeLuca faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and maximum fine of 250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark; and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John P. McDonald, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the Office’s Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the Information pertain to Anthony DeLuca and any other individuals referenced are presumed innocent unless and until those individuals are proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: S. Emile Lisboa IV, Esq., Hackensack, NJ

deluca.informationDownload
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Hillsborough, Somerset

AG’s Office Investigating Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Hillsborough

January 10, 2022

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Attorney General’s Office is conducting an investigation of a police-involved shooting that occurred last evening, Jan. 9, in Hillsborough, N.J. One male civilian sustained fatal injuries. His identity is not being released at this time. No one else was injured.

According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred at approximately 6:26 p.m. inside an apartment on Corporal Langon Way in Hillsborough. Officers of the Hillsborough Police Department were dispatched to the residence in response to a 911 call. After officers arrived, they encountered a male resident inside the apartment. During the encounter, one officer discharged his service weapon, fatally wounding the man. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to the man, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene at 6:51 p.m.

This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

Hillsborough, Somerset

AG’s Office Investigating Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Hillsborough

September 29, 2021

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ (SOMERSET)–The Attorney General’s Office is conducting an investigation of a police-involved shooting that occurred yesterday, Sept. 28, in Hillsborough, N.J. One male civilian sustained fatal injuries. His identity is not being released at this time. No one else was injured.

According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred at approximately 4:16 p.m. yesterday inside a residence on Piedmont Path in Hillsborough. Officers of the Hillsborough Police Department responded shortly after 4 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an emergency at the residence. After officers arrived, they encountered a male resident inside the house. During the encounter, one officer discharged his service weapon, fatally wounding the resident. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to the resident and he was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was pronounced deceased at 5:28 p.m.

This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

Hillsborough, Somerset

LODD: Hillsborough Township Volunteer Firefighter Dies In Line Of Duty

July 14, 2021

HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Hillsborough Township Fire District announced a line of duty death of Assistant Chief William Shaffer a 35 year veteran and volunteer at Hillsborough Fire Company #2, Station 37.

The press release reads:

On July 14, 2021, at 1:18 p.m., Hillsborough Fire Company # 1 and # 2 and district career staff responded to Copart Salvage Auctions located at 2124 Camplain Road for a motor vehicle fire, upon arrival units found a well-involved car fire and began extinguishment. Shortly after extinguishment was under way Hillsborough Fire Company # 2 Assistant Chief William Shaffer suffered a medical emergency on scene. He was evaluated and treated by members on scene and transported to RWJ Somerset Hospital by RWJ BLS ambulance. Upon arrival at the hospital, RWJ hospital staff were unable to revive Assistant Chief Shaffer and he passed away.

Assistant Chief Shaffer was a very active member of the Hillsborough Fire Company #2 (Station 37) faithfully serving the citizens of Hillsborough Township for over 35 years, he is survived by his wife Marian and three children. The Hillsborough Board of Fire Commissioners wish to convey their sincere condolences to his family and Hillsborough Fire Company # 2 and thank him for many years of service, may he rest in peace.

Hillsborough Mayor Sean Lipani said, “Hillsborough experienced great sadness today with the untimely passing of one of our dedicated volunteer Fireman Billy Shaffer. Weather you knew him from 37 or from seeing him work at ShopRite, Billy always had a smile and a good word. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Marian and his entire family. He will be sorely missed. Rest easy Billy.”

Funeral arrangements will be announced in the near future.

Hillsborough Fire Company # 2 Facebook
Hillsborough, Somerset

Plane Crashes Near Central Jersey Airport

July 15, 2020

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ (SOMMERSET)–Late yesterday afternoon around 5 pm small planed crashed near Central Jersey Airport into a nearby cemetery. The pilot was able to escape the aircraft on their own, no reports of an injury. Firefighters were on scene until around 10 pm so fuel could be unloaded from the plane’s fuel tanks.

Late yesterday afternoon around 5 pm small planed crashed near Central Jersey Airport into a nearby cemetery. The pilot was able to escape the aircraft on their own, no reports of an injury. Photo by: Hillsborough Fire Company #2 Facebook Page

At 5:00pm Stations 37 and 38 were dispatched to the Central Jersey Airport for the airplane crash. Station 37 responded with Deputy Chief 37, Asst. Chief 37, Rescue 37, Engine 37 and Tanker 37. Also responding were: Chief 38, Deputy Chief 38, Ladder 38, Rescue 38, the Fire Marshals units and County HAZMAT. Once on location Deputy 37 established command and confirmed a private passenger aircraft that had crashed in the neighboring cemetery property. Upon arrival the pilot had self extricated the aircraft. District firefighters mitigated fuel loss from the aircraft’s fully loaded tanks and prepared for fire suppression. Members cleared at approximately 10:00pm.