WOMAN KILLED IN FATAL CRASH ON ROUTE 280

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Suamy Ortiz, 24, of Newark died in a fatal collision on Route I-280 and First Street in the City of Newark at approximately 1:09 AM today. Following an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Michael J. Hocutt, 44, of Maplewood was…

Newark Man Convicted of Sexually Assault

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Juan Gonzalez, 47, of Newark of second degree sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman. The victim was a house guest at Gonzalez’s home in Newark when she was sexually assaulted on Aug. 1, 2010. She was asleep on a downstairs…

Jury Convicts Two of Drug Dealing In East Orange

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted two defendants of drug possession and distribution. Quarwee Walker, 32, of Spotswood and Brian Witherspoon, 27, of Orange were found guilty of selling crack cocaine on multiple occasions at 231 North Clinton Street in East Orange. “Good police work by…

Newark Man Convicted of Attempted Murder

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury has convicted Kevin Lloyd, 42, of Newark of attempted murder, aggravated assault and two weapons offenses. “With an appalling disregard for the lives of others, Kevin Lloyd repeatedly fired a large-caliber handgun in a crowded parking lot full of women and young…

Man Arrested for Murder of Newark Woman

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, Newark Police Fugitive Apprehension Team and FBI Fugitive Task Force arrested Farad Green, 33, of Newark, for the murder of Latisha Brown. Brown, 26, of East Orange was shot late…

Man Who Faked Carjacking is Charged

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Melvin Powell, 51, of Roselle was charged one count of making a false report to law enforcement. On July 17, 2011 Powell reported that he was carjacked at the intersection of Chancellor and Aldine Street in Newark. He told authorities that two black males struck…

Man Indicted for Murder of Day Care Worker

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Estol Molina, 43, of Newark has been indicted for the murder of Erica Ortiz-Fuentes. Ms. Ortiz-Fuentes was fatally stabbed at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2010 on St. Francis Street, near the Newark preschool where she worked as a teacher’s aide. She was on…