Verona High School Teacher Charged With Sexual Assaulting Student

By Robert Florida Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that Matthew Swajkowski, 36, of Verona, was taken into custody on September 22 and charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, among other charges.  Swajkowski was employed as a teacher at Verona High School, where he oversaw the school’s…

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ECPO Receives Three Awards for Excellence

By Robert Florida Two ECPO prosecutors and the Narcotics Task Force have been honored for excellence by three organizations that advocate for effective law enforcement. Child Advocacy Partner of the Year Nicole Buermann, an Assistant Prosecutor in the Special Victim’s Unit, was recognized by VidaNyx for outstanding work prosecuting child sexual abusers. VidaNyx, which designs…

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Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Microwave Beating of Fellow Inmate

By Robert Florida Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler sentenced Essex County Jail inmate Byad Lockett to 20 years in state prison for attempting to murder inmate Jayshawn Boyd by brutally beating him with a microwave oven and other items. Under the No Early Release…

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ECPO Internship Gives Students Inside View of Prosecution

By Robert Florida This summer, more than 30 interns worked in various units of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, such as the appellate division, the adult trial team, and the homicide unit. The interns, a combination of undergraduates and law students, helped prosecutors write legal briefs and motions and had a chance to watch major…

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Homicide in Newark

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé announced that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of Eddie Boykins, 52, of Newark. On July 27, at 6:11 p.m., police were notified of a shooting on the 300 block of Wainwright…

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Newark Homicide Under Investigation

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé announced that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating a fatal shooting on the 300 block of Clinton Avenue, Newark. On July 24, at approximately 10:05 p.m., Newark Police officers responded to the above location on…

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