Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced that the owner of an electronics store in the City of Orange has been charged with selling counterfeit Apple products.
63-year-old Mahmoud Salim of Woodland Park was arrested on June 5. He is charged with third-degree counterfeiting for selling over 100 phony Apple products including AirPods, phones, and accessories out of his store, Super Star on Main Street.
The arrest was conducted under Essex County’s Intellectual Property Enforcement Program. The ECPO received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund the continuation of the program. The program builds on ECPO’s ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute the production and distribution of goods, products, and services that violate copyright, trademark, or other protected intellectual property laws within Essex County. The program also coordinates with other ECPO units to investigate and prosecute online piracy. These criminal activities often involve gangs and organized crime syndicates.
These allegations are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The public is encouraged to report any information related to criminal activity by contacting the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will be kept confidential.
]]>We were honored to welcome Australian law enforcement officer Warren Lysaght to our office as part of his U.S. tour to learn more about our criminal justice system.
Detective Inspector Lysaght is a recipient of a fellowship from The Churchill Fellows Association of NSW (New South Wales) which enables him to travel internationally to study how different countries address the opioid crisis.
Detective Inspector Lysaght observed and studied the operations of the Essex County Recovery Court. During his visit we also discussed community outreach initiatives and provided an overview of the role and functions of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II alongside Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones announced today a Crime Stoppers Program reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for a fatal shooting in Newark in 2024.
On March 2, 2024, at approximately 10:47 pm the Newark Police Department received a 911 call of a man down at 384 South 8th Street. Upon arrival officers found the victim, 22-year-old Jaheem Futrell of Newark, in the rear of the location with a gunshot wound to the chest. Futrell was pronounced at the scene a short time later.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will be kept confidential.
This National Crime Victims’ Rights Week we honor the strength and resilience of victims and their families.
At the ECPO, we are committed to ensuring justice, healing and support for those impacted by crime.
Our Victim-Witness Advocacy Unit works tirelessly to provide emotional support, crisis intervention and referrals throughout the legal process. You are not alone…we are here to stand with you every step of the way.
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, alongside Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones and the Essex County Police Chiefs Association are pleased to announce the official launch of the Essex County “Blue Envelope Program”. This initiative aims to encourage safer, more effective interactions between law enforcement and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and similar conditions.
The “Blue Envelope” is a resealable and convenient place for drivers to keep their license, vehicle registration, insurance card, and emergency contact information. It also includes clear instructions for drivers on how to navigate a traffic stop and interact with law enforcement in a manner that promotes clarity and safety.
For law enforcement officers, the “Blue Envelope” provides guidance and reminders of the training they have received in engaging with those with ASD and similar conditions.
“Essex County is proud to join other law enforcement agencies across the state in implementing this critical program. Law enforcement recognizes that all citizens are not the same; however, we all want to remain safe. The ‘Blue Envelope’ offers an important tool for police and the public to avoid misunderstandings when those interactions occur,” said Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II.
“The ‘Blue Envelope Program’ will allow law enforcement and the community to communicate even before words are spoken, which will directly lead to safer and more productive interactions between our police and our neighborhoods. Initiatives such as this are integral to enhancing relationships between our police and those we serve,” said Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones.
Essex County residents can obtain a “Blue Envelope” at their local police department free of charge.
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II alongside Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda is asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Imam Hassan Sharif in Newark in January 2024.
Imam Hassan Sharif was killed outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque at South Orange Ave and Camden Street early on the morning of January 3, 2024.
Surveillance video shows a man in the area at the time of the shooting. The individual has a distinctive walk which investigators hope will aid with identification.
“This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a beloved community leader. We have been working tirelessly to find those responsible, but we need the community’s help. We hope that releasing this video will encourage someone with any information to come forward.”, said Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II.
A Crime Stoppers Program reward of up to $35,000 is also being offered for any information that leads to arrests in this case.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office reminds the public that all homicide cases remain open unless and until they are solved. There is no statute of limitations for murder, meaning these cases are never time-barred. In an effort to bring offenders to justice and offer some measure of relief to homicide survivors, the ECPO maintains a Cold Case Unit within the Homicide Task Force. Dedicated detectives continuously review open files, re-examine evidence, and pursue new leads to solve these cases.
Anyone with information regarding the fatal shooting of Imam Sharif is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877 TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will be kept confidential.
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones today announced a Crime Stoppers Program reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the persons responsible for the fatal shooting of a teenager in Newark in 2022.
On June 8, 2022, at approximately 11:14 pm, police officers responded to reports of gunfire near 146 Goodwin Avenue in Newark. Upon arrival they found the victim, 18-year-old Nyasia Peppers, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Peppers succumbed to her injuries at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Investigators confirm that Peppers was not the intended target of the shooting and was struck by gunfire meant for another individual.
The suspects fled the scene in a stolen blue Toyota C-HR which was later found abandoned near Millington Avenue. Surveillance footage shows two individuals exiting the Toyota and jumping into what appears to be a black Honda Accord before fleeing the area.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877 TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will be kept confidential.
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II is pleased to announce that a new session of the free domestic violence response initiative, “Sanctuary”, will begin in February (UPDATED, SEE BELOW).
“Sanctuary” is a comprehensive 100-hour training program designed to empower community members to provide crisis intervention and outreach services to victims of domestic violence. The program offers both a basic and an advanced course. Sessions will begin on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and classes will be held weekly from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. UPDATE: CHANGED TO TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025, from 6:00PM to 9.00PM.
Since its launch in 2012, more than 700 members of the Essex County community have completed the program and are actively supporting survivors of intimate partner violence.
“Domestic violence is a community issue. It is our hope that through education and collaboration, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for survivors in our county”, said Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II.
Registration starts on February 1st and ends on February 21st. UPDATE: Registration Extended to MARCH 10, 2025.
Applications are available to view and download here:
The Sanctuary Program flyer is available to view and download here:
For more information, please visit our website or call 973-621-4689 during regular business hours.
Congratulations to all those who completed our Crisis Intervention Team training program the week of January 13 at the Newark Police Department Training Facility.
CIT provides law enforcement, 911 dispatchers, EMS, paramedics and mental health professionals with vital training and crisis resolution skills to improve responses to those experiencing a mental health crisis. 45 dedicated individuals took part in this important program.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO) is offering a four-week summer internship for high school students that will complete their junior year in June 2025. The session will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. Interns will receive a copy of the schedule on the first day of the program., which will run from Monday, July 7, 2025, and conclude on Friday, August 8, 2025. Interns must attend all sessions. During this interactive four-week internship program, interns will be exposed to a comprehensive curriculum that includes learning about the role and functions of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office; participating in workshops that focus on making positive choices, Internet safety, gang awareness, and substance abuse prevention. Interns will be introduced to various careers in law, law enforcement, and government. Interns will also attend educational and cultural trips.
For more information please visit – https://njecpo.org/community-programs/
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