Corrections Officer Involved in Jail Contraband Smuggling

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that 13 people were arrested during the predawn hours today, including two corrections officers, a probation officer and a special education teacher for orchestrating an elaborate criminal scheme to smuggle drugs, cell phones and other contraband to inmates in the Essex County Correctional Facility. Among those…

Arrest Made In Fatal Hit and Run

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Saleem Wright, 24, of Irvington. Wright has been charged with death by auto, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and endangering an injured victim in connection with the death of 5-year-old Julianne Vega. Wright surrendered at approximately 2:30 p.m. to Rev. Ron…

Georgia Man Shot by Sheriff’s Detective Identified

Anthony Ambrose, Chief of Detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, has identified Defarra Ivan Gaymon,48 of Suwanee, Georgia as the person shot by an Essex County Undercover Sheriff’s Detective in Branch Brook Park, Newark last evening. The undercover Sheriff’s Detective was in the area of the Park investigating complaints of sexual activity occurring in…

Investigation of Fatal Police-Related Shooting In Newark

Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino has announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards bureau and Homicide Squad, in conjunction with the Newark Police Department, are investigating the fatal police related shooting of Rashaan Gilbert, 33 of 1582 Leslie Street, Hillside, New Jersey by officers of the Newark Police Gang/Drug Unit. The shooting occurred…