On Tuesday, November 19, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office had the honor of participating in the “2024 Practice Area Fair” at Rutgers School of Law in Newark. Our team showcased the essential role of community service and prosecution in advancing justice and enhancing public safety. They highlighted how a career in prosecution extends beyond the courtroom, focusing on the importance of community collaboration to prevent crime, support victims, and foster trust. Through real-world examples, they inspired students to view prosecution as a rewarding career path that merges legal expertise with a deep commitment to creating a positive impact on both the community and society at large.

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II celebrated the graduates of “Sanctuary,” a key initiative of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy. “Sanctuary” is a 100-hour, free program designed to train community residents to provide essential crisis intervention and outreach services to survivors of domestic violence. Upon completing the program, volunteers will be equipped to offer immediate support to victims and their families through participating programs.

Thank you to all who took part in this important initiative.

On February 22, 2024, Nicole Graves-Watson, ECPO Community Relations Specialist, was one of the honorees during this year’s public safety awards presented by the Peace Islands Institute.  Nicole was the only woman honoree and only recipient from Essex County.  Additional honorees included representatives from Union County EMS, Paterson Police Department, Paterson Fire Department, NJ State Police and the FBI Newark Field Office.

Newark – An Essex County jury convicted former East Orange Police Officer Devin L. Higgs of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child for physically abusing his then nine-year-old son.

On February 15, 2018, Higgs, 53, of West Orange, brought his son to the hospital for injuries that stemmed from a fall, said Higgs, who was employed at the time as an East Orange Police Officer.

Doctors found that the child had 22 fractures on his ribs and a fractured scapula bone, among other injuries, according to Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Saraiva. The child also had bruises, scars, and marks on his body, indicative of child abuse. Neither Higgs nor his son had explanations for his injuries, other than vague responses that he had fallen. The child remained hospitalized for six weeks as he battled a severe infection and recovered from his broken bones. During that time, the boy eventually disclosed to medical staff that his injuries were caused by his father, who would hit him at home. He didn’t tell anyone sooner, the boy said, because his dad told him not to discuss “family business.”

On March 1, 2024, following a four-day trial before Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre, the jury found Higgs guilty of two counts of second degree aggravated assault for causing serious bodily, one disorderly persons offense of simple assault for causing a head injury, four counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of second degree hindering apprehension, and one count of second degree official misconduct.

When he is sentenced on April 12, 2024, Higgs faces up to 80 years in New Jersey State Prison.

“We would like to thank the victim for his tremendous bravery in coming forward and testifying in this case,” said Mona. “We are also grateful to the medical providers at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital who discovered the abuse, as well as the team at Robert Wood Johnson Children’s Hospital who provided the boy with life-saving care and treatment.”

Saraiva said the jury returned a just verdict that will provide closure for the victim, “and which we hope sends a message that encourages victims of abuse to come forward and alerts perpetrators to that fact that they will be held responsible for their criminal conduct.”

Newark – Prosecutor Stephens invites high school juniors to apply to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Summer Youth Internship Program.

The four-week internship is a mix of workshops, guest speakers, and class trips. The program exposes Essex County students to careers in law, law enforcement, and government. The interns will learn about the functions of the Prosecutor’s Office and tour its various units, meeting prosecutors, detectives, and staff. They will take workshops on college preparation, career readiness, and business etiquette, and discuss topics such as internet safety, gang awareness, substance-abuse intervention. Guest speakers will include representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives, the Secret Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as the FBI and the IRS.

Nicole Graves Watson, the Community Justice Coordinator, said, “the Summer Youth Internship has been fundamental to the growth of so many high school students from Essex County who now work professionally in criminal justice and law enforcement. So, if you are a high school junior with an interest in these fields, this is the internship for you.” 

The program runs from July 5 to August 2, 2024. Classes start at 9 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m., and students who complete the program will receive stipends. The internship is only for Essex County students who will complete their junior year in June 2024.

Applications for the internship program are at www.njecpo.org under Community Programs. The application deadline is March 18, 2024. For more information, contact Nicole Graves-Watson: nicole.graves@njecpo.org.       

Newark – Theodore N. Stephens, II was sworn in February 16 to serve a five-year term as Essex County Prosecutor.  Stephens had served as acting prosecutor since September 4, 2018, when appointed by Governor Murphy.

On February 8, Stephens’s nomination was advanced by the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee; on February 12 the full Senate voted unanimously to approve his nomination as Essex County Prosecutor.

“For the last five and a half years, County Prosecutor Stephens has faithfully and honorably served the residents of Essex County,” said Governor Murphy. “I was proud to appoint him as Acting Prosecutor in 2018 due to his knowledge of the law, passion for his community, and commitment to justice. I am very pleased that Prosecutor Stephens has finally received Senate confirmation and I know that he will continue to lead the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office with distinction over the next five years.”

Also on Friday, all assistant prosecutors and investigators at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office who had been serving in acting capacities were re-sworn in. Mitchell McGuire, formerly Acting Chief of Detectives, was sworn as Chief, and Romesh Sukhdeo, formerly Acting First Assistant Prosecutor, was sworn as First Assistant Prosecutor.

As prosecutor, Stephens is the county’s highest-ranking law enforcement official. He oversees some 400 employees, which include assistant prosecutors, detectives and support staff. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO) is the busiest prosecutor’s office in the state, and Stephens will continue to manage a demanding caseload: In 2023, the office handled more than 12,000 cases, as well as processing more than 1,600 juvenile prosecutions.

“Ted Stephens has served the people of Essex County with honor and distinction during his impressive career in public service, from his time as a municipal court judge, to County Surrogate, and most recently as Acting Essex County Prosecutor,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “As a resident of Essex County myself,” continued Platkin, “I am thrilled that we will continue to benefit from his passion, commitment, and expertise. He has been an incredible partner as we have worked together to combat the epidemic of gun violence, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to make our communities safer. Essex County is home to our state’s largest county prosecutor’s office, and Prosecutor Stephens is the right person to lead it through the complex and challenging work that law enforcement agencies encounter every day.”

Stephens, an East Orange resident, believes that to be effective, law enforcement agencies must partner with local communities. He expanded Operation Helping Hand, a diversion program in which ECPO staff helps people with opioid addictions find treatment. The goal of the program is to interrupt the cycle of addiction that often leads addicts down the path of incarceration. From food-insecurity drives to community health events, to jazz festivals and speaking at schools, the office is also committed to interacting with citizens in civic environments – not just in the courtroom. In Stephens’s view, it’s also essential to mentor young people. Stephens often talks to local students about careers in law enforcement, and ECPO mentors the young through its internship programs for high school and college students.   

In terms of criminal justice, Stephens relies on a multidisciplinary approach, which calls upon the prudent use of diversionary programs and special courts for non-violent offenders. “For us, that means going wherever the facts and the evidence leads,” said Stephens. “Sometimes that means pressing for a lengthy prison sentence for a defendant, while other times it means getting him or her into diversionary programs such as Recovery Court, Mental Health Court, or Veterans programs.”  

In essence, ECPO’s mission is to fight for justice for crime victims, and Stephens feels immense pride when victims and their families express gratitude to his office. A Newark man whose sister was murdered, for instance, had this high praise for ECPO:

“I don’t have my sister back, but me and my family know that the team at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office did everything they could to prosecute her killer and give us some sense of justice; for that we are forever grateful to them. The detectives, prosecutors, and staff treated us like family. I’ll never forget what they did for me and my family.”

When he hears testimonials like this from crime victims and family members, Stephens knows ECPO is doing outstanding work: “Which is why I’m so deeply honored and humbled to serve as Essex County Prosecutor,” he said.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of Tyquane Steed, 29, of Howell Township, N.J.

On February 13, shortly before 9 p.m., Newark police responded to a report of a shooting on the 900 block of South 16^th Street in Newark. Arriving officers located Steed inside a resident at that location suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:13 p.m.

The investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Crime Scene Investigations Bureau is investigating a hit and run collision that left a pedestrian seriously injured.

The collision occurred Sunday, February 4, at about 10:15 p.m. on the 500 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Newark. The pedestrian, an 18-year-old female, was taken to University Hospital, where she is listed in critical condition.  

The investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.

Newark – An Essex County jury has convicted Ryan Mwangi, 31, of Newark, of murder for fatally shooting Kenneth Thomas.

On May 13, 2019, Thomas, 31, of Newark, was gunned down while sitting in his car on Renner Avenue, Newark.  Thomas suffered eight gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene.  

Mwangi fled the scene in a stolen BMW. Extensive investigation led to the charging and apprehension of Mwangi. 

On January 26, 2024, a jury found Mwangi guilty of first degree Murder, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.  Mwangi is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Patrick Arre on March 22, 2024.  Mwangi faces 30 years to life in prison. 

“The jury’s verdict has brought justice to Kenneth Thomas and his family,” said Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline Bilinkas, who tried the case with Jenna Ventola, also an Assistant Prosecutor. “Finding him guilty and holding him responsible for his actions will hopefully deter others from committing senseless acts of violence.”

Mwangi has two additional open cases in Essex County, one for Attempted Murder and Weapons Offenses and another for Simple Assault.  He has prior felony convictions for Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.