Woman Sentenced to 7 Years for $3 Million Theft

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., sentenced Colleth Merle Rhodes, 54, of Staten Island, N.Y. and Elizabeth, N.J., to 7 years in state prison for one count of second degree theft. While working as an account manager at XCEL Federal Credit Union in Bloomfield, Rhodes…

Two Charged with Murder of Orange Football Standout

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Acting Orange Police Director Hakim Sims announced that two individuals have been charged with the murder of Malcolm Bagley, a 19-year-old Orange resident who was attending Dean College in Massachusetts. “Malcolm Bagley was a young man with a bright future until he was violently and senselessly killed…

Montclair Man Arrested in Murder of Villanova Student

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Montclair Police Chief David Sabagh announced today that Ernest Williams, Jr., 21, of Montclair has been arrested and charged with the murder of Brian Schiavetti, a 21-year-old of Villanova University student from Ridgefield, Ct. “Our detectives and those the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force…

NEWARK MAN FOUND GUILTY OF 1st DEGREE MURDER

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Joel Hester, 25, of Newark for the murder of Oscar Ayo, Jr., 31, of Newark. The jury reached its verdict after approximately four hours of deliberation. In addition to first degree murder, Hester, a reputed Bloods gang member whose street…

Essex County Corrections Officer Shoots Carjacker

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and Newark Police are investigating a fatal shooting involving an off-duty Essex County Corrections Officer. The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 10:55 p.m. yesterday an off-duty corrections officer was approached…

Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing a 6-year-old Girl

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jean Joseph, 39, of Irvington of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl. In April of 2010 when the crime occurred, the child was in the defendant’s home because the defendant’s mother was babysitting. Joseph brought the child to a secluded bedroom…