Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Eric Hampton Manning, 30, of Newark, of first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The Honorable Patrick J. Arre, J.S.C. presided over the case.

Manning was convicted in the fatal shooting of Sharique Ray Young 28, of Newark on March 8, 2022.

Surveillance video showed Manning approaching Young’s parked vehicle on Huntington Avenue at approximately 8 p.m., holding a firearm behind his back. Young was seated in the driver’s seat speaking with a friend who was standing outside the open driver’s-side window. Another friend was seated in the passenger seat. Manning pushed the friend away from the window and opened fire, striking Young four times. No one else was injured in the shooting. Manning then ran to the end of the block which becomes Schuyler Avenue, where he was seen entering a getaway vehicle eight minutes after the shooting.

Manning was arrested November 4, 2022, as he awaited sentencing on an unrelated matter.

Assistant Prosecutor Dorian Belfiore, who was part of the trial team, said “This outcome reflects the hard work, diligence, and commitment to justice demonstrated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. We hope this result brings some measure of comfort and closure to the victim’s family.”

The prosecutors also thank investigators from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Division for their assistance in this investigation.

Manning is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24, 2026. He faces a minimum of 30 years to life in prison.

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 remain confidential.

Newark, N.J. – Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Moa Mengesha, 43, of South Orange, of two counts of second-degree eluding police.

Assistant Prosecutor Gianna Sanguinetti and Assistant Prosecutor Kathryn Zangari tried the case before the Honorable Judge Lori Grifa, J.S.C.  The defendant represented himself at trial.

The charges stem from two separate incidents in South Orange during which the defendant was observed operating a motor vehicle with a fictious license plate displaying the word “Traveler.”

On August 22, 2024, South Orange police officers attempted to stop the defendant while he was driving on Irvington Avenue. The defendant initially stopped his vehicle. When officers discovered that the vehicle was not registered and asked him to turn the vehicle off, the defendant instead placed the vehicle in drive and sped away. At the time, two officers had their hands on the vehicle and could have been dragged as a result of his actions.

On September 2, 2024, police officers again attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop on South Orange Avenue and Sloan Street. Surveillance video shows the defendant making a K-turn to avoid striking an officer. In doing so, the defendant drove onto a curb and then onto a sidewalk. The defendant then ran a red light into a busy intersection with oncoming traffic, causing another vehicle to swerve to avoid a collision. He then ran through a second red light, driving around a vehicle that was stopped.

“Eluding poses a serious threat not only to law enforcement, but to other motorists, pedestrians, and the community at large. We are pleased with the verdict, and thank the officers involved for their assistance in this investigation,” said Assistant Prosecutor Gianna Sanguinetti.

Assistant Prosecutor Kathryn Zangari added, “This verdict sends a clear message that individuals who flee from police will be held accountable for their actions and that protecting the public remains a top priority”

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office thanks the South Orange Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.

Mengesha is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2026.

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 remain confidential.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is now accepting applications for our 2026 Summer Youth Internship Program.

The program offers high school students the opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system, develop professional skills, and explore future careers in public service.

Participants will take part in workshops on leadership and positive decision-making, college and career readiness, internet safety, gang awareness, and substance abuse prevention. The interns will also go on college tours, and cultural trips.

The application deadline is March 11, 2026.

See flyer for full details.

Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Caldwell Police Director Nichele L. Patrick announced today that an investigation is underway into a fatal hit-and run accident that killed a woman in Caldwell on Friday, January 16, 2026.

On January 16, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the Caldwell Police Department responded to the area of the 400 block of Bloomfield Ave following a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

Upon arrival, police officers found Sharon Thomas, 56, of Caldwell unconscious in the roadway. The victim was transported to Mountainside Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at 7:22 p.m.

Witnesses reported that Ms. Thomas had exited an NJ Transit bus and was crossing Bloomfield Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle. According to witnesses, the driver stopped and exited the vehicle, looked at the victim lying in the roadway, then returned to the vehicle and fled the scene. A second vehicle also struck Ms. Thomas while she was in the roadway. That vehicle pulled over, and the driver remained on the scene.

This investigation is active and ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.  All calls will remain confidential.

Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Livingston woman has been charged with third-degree theft in connection with the alleged theft of $17,360 from an East Orange high school.

Khaliah Johnson, 44, of Livingston, is charged with stealing the funds from a Cicely Tyson High School of Performing Arts fundraising account. Johnson was serving as the school’s treasurer and head secretary at the time of the alleged thefts, which are reported to have occurred between July 5, 2024, and June 16, 2025. She is accused of writing checks from the account and using the funds for personal expenses. Johnson has since resigned from her position.

 “The defendant was entrusted with managing funds intended to support students and school programs.  Our investigation revealed that this trust was repeatedly violated. This charge reflects our office’s commitment to protecting students and school communities”, said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Portia N. Downing.

Johnson’s first court appearance is scheduled for January 26, 2026.

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 remain confidential.

Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to life in prison, plus 60 years, for a 2023 shooting that killed one person and wounded four others on a Newark street.

The Honorable Judge Harold W. Fullilove, Jr. J.S.C., presided over both the trial and the sentencing.

On October 10, 2025, a jury found Antuane Gregory, 46, of Newark, guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of second-degree aggravated assault,and weapons offenses.

The prosecution proved that on April 15, 2023, Gregory started a verbal argument in the area of the 400 block of Leslie Street. During the dispute, Gregory pulled out a handgun and opened fire on a group of five people.

Corey Beasley, 43, of Newark, was struck four times–once in the back, once in his right leg, and twice in the left leg.  Three additional victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds but survived their injuries. A fifth victim was fired upon but not struck by gunfire.

Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Monica Calderon, said, “This lengthy sentence delivers justice for the victim’s family and the four additional victims. It also makes it clear that this kind of reckless, callous violence will not be tolerated in our communities.”

Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, Gregory must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Anyone with information regarding any criminal activity is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.

ANTUANE GREGORY

Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones announced today that a reward of up to $10,000 is being offered through the Essex County Crime Stoppers program for information leading to an arrest in connection with the 2020 fatal shooting of a Newark man.

The victim, Laquan Nowlin, 32, of East Orange, was shot and killed on July 3, 2020, in front of his home at South Orange Avenue and Sanford Avenue. 

“Six years later this investigation remains open and active, but there may be someone in the community who has information that can assist us. We hope this reward motivates them to come forward,” said Prosecutor Stephens.

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 remain confidential.

Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II today announced that Andre Higgs, 53, of Watchung, has been convicted by a jury in a second trial for the 2015 murder of his former girlfriend Latrena May, of East Orange.

Higgs was found guilty of first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun. Following those verdicts, Higgs was also convicted of first-degree unlawful possession of a handgun by a person who has previously been convicted of a crime under the No Early Release Act as well as second-degree certain persons not to have weapons.

Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab and Assistant Prosecutor Tehilla Cohen tried the case before The Honorable Ronald Wigler, J.S.C.

The prosecution proved that on May 1, 2015, Higgs shot the 27-year-old teacher outside her home in East Orange. The shooting occurred after May ran from her home to escape an attack by Higgs and flagged down a police vehicle. As East Orange Detective Kemon Lee exited his vehicle and approached, Higgs fired multiple shots at May.  Detective Lee returned fire, striking Higgs in the legs.  After the shooting, Higgs barricaded himself in the residence where the couple’s then four-year-old daughter was sleeping.

 Higgs was originally sentenced to life in prison in 2017 following his first conviction for murder. In 2023, the New Jersey Supreme Court overturned that conviction and ordered a new trial. The Supreme Court ruled Higgs’ attorneys should have been granted access to Detective Lee’s internal affairs records and permitted to cross-examine Lee about prior on-duty shootings.

Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab said, “This second conviction for murder for Andre Higgs was possible only because of the brave witnesses who once again came forward to testify about the defendant’s callous actions.  As we said in 2017 and repeat today, Detective Kemon Lee was a hero that day for responding to Latrena May and attempting to save her from the grip of her abuser.” Assistant Prosecutor Cohen added, “We thank Ms. May’s family for their unwavering faith in this office and the judicial system throughout this lengthy process.”

Higgs is scheduled for sentencing on February 26, 2026. He faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison. Prosecutors will again recommend a sentence of life imprisonment, as it is consistent with the original recommendation.

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 remain confidential.

ANDRE HIGGS

Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Lando Marc, 34, of Newark, on charges stemming from the 2021 death of Jenny Philistin, of Elizabeth in Irvington.

Marc was found guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and related offenses.

 The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutors Adam Wells and Ibn Alston before the Honorable Verna G. Leath, J.S.C.

The prosecution proved that on December 9, 2021, Irvington police officers responded to a report of a domestic violence incident involving the two parties during a social gathering at a residence on Stuyvesant Avenue.  Marc attempted to evade police by getting into his vehicle. Philistin followed him, and as officers approached, she jumped on the hood of Marc’s parked car in an apparent effort to keep him from driving away.

Marc sped away with the victim on the hood of his vehicle. He then ran a stop sign and proceeded the wrong way down a one-way street. He subsequently lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a parked car, killing Philistin. Marc fled the scene and remained at large for more than a month before surrendering to authorities on January 14, 2022.

Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells said, “This was a senseless and avoidable tragedy. The defendant’s complete disregard for Ms. Philistin’s life directly led to her death. We are glad that we could get justice for the victim in this case.”  Assistant Prosecutor Ibn Alston added, “While there is nothing we can do to bring Jenny back, we hope this verdict can bring closure to the Philistin family as they continue to grieve.”

The assistant prosecutors also commended investigators from the ECPO and the Irvington Police Department for their dedication and tireless effort throughout this investigation.

The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on February 5, 2025. The defendant faces 10-30 years for the aggravated manslaughter conviction and a mandatory consecutive sentence of five to 10 years for leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.

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 remain confidential.

LANDO MARC

Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. announced today that a suspect has been charged in connection with the death of one of the two men killed during a shooting in a Newark recording studio on December 10, 2025.

Naim Andrews, 20, of Newark, has been charged with first-degree murder and related weapons offenses in the death of Namir Bynum, 20, of Newark.

 Surveillance video shows Andrews and a second individual, Osayuwamen Iyamu, 20, of Newark, attacking Bynum. Bynum was shot by Andrews. In an apparent act of self-defense, Bynum fired a weapon, fatally striking Iyamu and injuring Andrews. A fourth individual was also injured in the shooting. He was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital that same evening.

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.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.

NAIM ANDREWS