Newark, N.J.-Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Newark man has been convicted in connection with a 2022 fatal shooting in West Orange. On June 4, 2026, after six days of deliberations, a jury convicted Kocou Anani, 26, of second-degree aggravated assault and second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. He was…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Darneil Thomas, 26, of West Orange, for his role in two separate murders that occurred in East Orange and Orange in 2022. Thomas was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, two…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, The ECSO Office of Emergency Management, and the West Orange Police Department joined forces for a mock Child Abduction Response Training certification exercise at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The exercise was designed to test and strengthen coordinated law…
Newark, N.J – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to 21 years in New Jersey State Prison for the 2021 death of a woman in Irvington. On December 18, 2025, a jury found Lando Marc, 34, guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree leaving the scene…
Newark, N.J. – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to 60 years in state prison for sexually assaulting three women. Assistant Prosecutors Meredith Mona and Brianna Sandroni tried the case before Judge Harold W. Fullilove, Jr., J.S.C., who also presided over the sentencing. On June…
Newark, N.J – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II is reminding county residents and visitors that all FIFA World Cup 2026 match venues and fan-related events will be designated as strict “No Drone Zones”. Unauthorized drone use near stadiums is illegal and poses serious safety risks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will enforce Temporary…
Newark, N.J. – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II is pleased to announce that a new session of ECPO’s free domestic violence response initiative, “Sanctuary”, will start on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. “Sanctuary”, is a comprehensive 100-hour program that trains community members to provide crisis intervention and outreach services to victims of domestic violence.…
Newark, N.J – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today an arrest in connection with a fatal two-car crash that claimed the life of an elderly woman in Newark on Monday, April 27, 2026. Aides Benites Rivera, 45, of Newark, is charged with second-degree leaving the…
Newark, N.J. – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted a Newark man in connection with the death of an elderly pedestrian who was struck while crossing a Newark street in 2023. Andre Snowden-Stegall, 23, was convicted of third-degree of endangering an injured victim, and fourth-degree…
Newark, N.J- The current digital environment has created increasing challenges in safeguarding personal and financial information. As scams grow more sophisticated and widespread, Essex County residents are urged to remain vigilant, exercise caution, and take proactive steps to protect their personal data. In response to this growing threat, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the…
Newark, N.J – Essex County will join communities across the nation in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19 through April 25, 2026, marking the 45th anniversary of this important annual observance. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Board of County Commissioners join Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II in…
Newark, N.J.- Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. Assistant Prosecutor Logan Teisch and Assistant Prosecutor Zhen Liu tried the case before the Honorable Christopher S. Romanyshyn, J.S.C., who presided over both the trial and the sentencing. On…
Newark, N.J – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today the arrest of a juvenile in connection with a fatal carjacking in Newark. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Due to the individual’s age no identifying information is being released…
Newark, N.J – Essex CountyProsecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today that a suspect is sought in connection with a suspected fatal carjacking attempt in Newark on Saturday, April 4, 2026. The Newark Police Division received calls reporting a crash involving two vehicles and a pedestrian on the…
Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Irvington man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a man in 2021, in a case of mistaken identity. Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock and Assistant Prosecutor Christian Marin tried the case before the Honorable Christopher Romanyshyn,…
Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today that an investigation is underway into a fatal car crash on Sunday, March 29, 2026. At approximately 7:29 a.m., the Newark Police Department received reports of a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles at McCarter Highway and…
Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Millburn Police Chief Brian Gilfedder announced today that an investigation is underway into a car crash that resulted in the death of a pedestrian in Millburn. On Friday, March 27, 2026, at approximately 8:42 p.m., the Millburn Police Department received reports of a motor vehicle…
Newark, N.J – Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and West Orange Fire Chief Anthony Vecchioannounced today that an investigation is underway into a fatal fire that killed a man on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The fire at 108 Clarken Avenue was called into the West Orange Fire Department at approximately 1 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters…
Newark, N.J. – Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted a Newark man in connection with the 2024 assault of his girlfriend. Kevin Simms, 43, was convicted of second-degree aggravated assault – strangulation of a victim of domestic violence and disorderly persons harassment. Assistant Prosecutor Mattison Monteleone and Assistant Prosecutor…
Newark, N.J – Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted an Orange man of first-degree murder in the 2018 fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend in Montclair. Ahigjah Broomes, 29, was convicted of first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.…
Newark, N.J. – Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Jersey City man has been charged with running a counterfeit sports merchandise operation out his mother’s garage in Lodi. Christopher Patire, 39, is charged with second-degree counterfeiting offenses. On March 11, 2026, at approximately 7:00 a.m., members of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes…
Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that Andre Higgs, 53, of Watchung, has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2015 murder of his former girlfriend Latrena May, of East Orange. The Honorable Ronald Wigler, J.S.C., presided over both the trial and the sentencing. On December 23, 2025, Higgs…
Newark, N.J.- Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an investigation is underway into a fatal accident involving an NJ Transit Bus that killed a woman in East Orange. On Monday, March 16, 2026, at approximately 6:00 a.m., the East Orange Police Department received a call reporting a crash involving a New Jersey Transit…
Newark, N.J.- Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted a Newark man of physically assaulting an adult woman and sexually assaulting a minor in Irvington in 2024. Caream Davis, 46, of Newark, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of first-degree kidnapping, one count…
Newark, N.J.-Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted a Newark man in connection with a 2023 fatal shooting that killed a woman and wounded another individual on a Newark street. Altaariq Palmer, 28, was convicted of second-degree passion provocation manslaughter, third-degree aggravated assault, and related weapons offenses. Assistant Prosecutor Daniel…
Newark, N.J.- Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a West Caldwell man has been charged in connection with the fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a woman in Caldwell in January. Angelo Lotrecchiano, 82, of West Caldwell, is charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death…
Newark, N.J.- .- Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Justin Brown, 36, of Newark, of second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, third-degree endangering an injured victim, and third-degree tampering with physical evidence. Assistant Prosecutor Mira Ohm tried the case before the Honorable Patrick Arre, J.S.C.…
Newark, N.J.- Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Irvington Director of Public Safety Tracy Bowers today announced that an investigation is underway into a fatal fire that claimed the life of a man in Irvington on Monday, March 2, 2026. The fire, at an industrial building located at 286-298 Coit Street, was reported to the…
Newark, N.J.- Prosector Theodore N. Stephens announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to 154 years in prison for the sexual assault of three minors. On November 14, 2025, Terrence Mells, 42, of Newark, was convicted by an Essex County jury of three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree…
Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Jarell Riles, 35, of Newark, of first-degree felony murder, first-degree murder, as well as robbery and weapons offenses. Assistant Prosecutor Julianne Bollettieri and Assistant Prosecutor Nidhi Goel tried the case before the Honorable Ronald Wigler, J.S.C. The jury returned…
Newark, N.J.- Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that two defendants have been sentenced in connection with the 2023 vigilante murder of a teenager in Newark. The Honorable Judge Arthur Batista, J.S.C., presided over both the trial and the sentencing. On June 25, 2025, 51-year-old Felicia Bynum and 33-year-old James Headen both of Newark,…
Newark, N.J. – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today that an investigation is underway into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a man in Newark in the early hours of Saturday, February 21, 2026. At approximately 3:38 a.m., the Newark Police Division received…
Newark, N.J. – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today that an investigation is underway into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a man in Newark on Thursday, February 19, 2026. At approximately 2:26 p.m., Newark police officers responded to reports of a gunfire…
Newark, N.J. – Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Newark housing inspector has been charged with second-degree theft by extortion. On September 23, 2025, Jaquan T. McGiver, 50, of Belleville, allegedly attempted to obtain $1,500 from a Newark homeowner in exchange for dismissing fines related to documented violations at a multi-family dwelling…
Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today that an investigation is underway into a car crash that resulted in the death of a pedestrian in Newark. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Newark Police Division received calls reporting a motor…
Newark, N.J.– Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today that an investigation is underway into a fatal motor vehicle crash that killed a woman on Route 21 in Newark. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Newark Police Division received 911 calls reporting…
Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted David Parker, 23, of Irvington, of first-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock and Assistant Prosecutor Christian Marin tried the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that Torean Nixon, 41, of Newark, has been convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Nixon was found guilty of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, and two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The case was…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Matthew Colon, 24, and Tashauna Hairston, both of Newark on charges stemming from a fatal shooting that occurred in Newark in 2022. Colon and Hairston were each found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Community Justice Unit held its annual “What’s It All About? Youth Conference” on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark. The conference was open to middle school students in grades 7 through 9 from across Essex County. This year, approximately 400 students…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to 61 ½ years in state prison for two separate shootings, including one that resulted in the death of a man in 2023. The Honorable Judge Patrick J. Arre, J.S.C., presided over both the trial and the sentencing. On April 17,…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today an investigation into a fatal shooting that resulted in the deaths of two men and injured two others on Wednesday December 10, 2025. The shooting happened in a studio used to record music videos at 790 Clinton Avenue. Newark Police arrived…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Livingston Police Chief Gary Marshuetz today announced that two men have been charged in connection with the fatal overdose death of a Livingston man. Erick Peguero, 36, Paterson, and his twin brother, Esteven Peguero, 36, of Clifton, are each charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced deaths,…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Irvington man was sentenced on November 21, 2025, to 34½ years in prison for first-degree kidnapping, first-degree aggravated sexual assault while armed with a knife, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree aggravated assault. Kervin Joseph-Michel, 43, was convicted on February 8,…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones announced today that the Essex County Crime Stoppers Program has increased the reward to up to $20,000 for information leading to an arrest in the fatal shooting that claimed the lives of three people and injured two others in Newark on November 15, 2025.…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II today announced that Terrence Mells, 42, of Newark was convicted by an Essex County jury of three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual assault, three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced on November 12, 2025, that Javier Freire-Ramos, 42, of Newark was convicted by an Essex County jury of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault by contact, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Assistant Prosecutors Logan Teisch and…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and East Orange Public Safety Director Maurice Boyd announced today the arrest of a suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of a woman in East Orange. Sabria Carter, 28, of East Orange, is charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree possession…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, and East Orange Public Safety Director Maurice Boyd announced today an investigation into the fatal shooting of a man in East Orange. On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at about 12:40pm East Orange Police officers were dispatched to the area of 252-256 N. Clinton Street on a report of…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, and Livingston Police Chief Gary Marshuetz today announced an arrest in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found near the roadway of the Cedar Hill Golf Course in Livingston on October 7, 2025. Andres Calvachi-Paz, 35, admitted to investigators that he strangled his girlfriend…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that Tyrone Cradle, 29, of Newark, has been sentenced to 60 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of his stepfather, Rasool Crews. The Honorable Naazneen B. Khan, J.S.C. presided over both the trial and the sentencing. On August 26, 2025, Cradle was convicted…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Essex County Jury has convicted Antuane Gregory, 46, of Newark, of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of second-degree aggravated assault, and weapons offenses in connection with a shooting that killed one person and wounded four others. Assistant Prosecutor Meredith…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced on October 14, 2025, that an Essex County Jury has convicted Osbourne Gooden, 63, of Irvington, of First- Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, Third-Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Third- Degree Criminal Restraint for the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl. Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller and…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced on October 14, 2025 that four individuals have been charged in connection with the human trafficking of a 17-year-old female. The investigation began after the teenage victim, who had been reported as a runaway, contacted law enforcement on September 17, 2025, seeking help. Detectives determined that…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Livingston Police Chief Gary Marshuetz have announced an investigation following the discovery of a dead woman in Livingston. The body was discovered Tuesday October 7 by a worker at the Cedar Hill Golf Course The cause and manner of death are pending the results of an…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and City of Orange Township Police Director Todd Warren announced on Friday October 3, 2025 that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted an Orange police sergeant on multiple counts of official misconduct and falsifying public records. Sergeant Yolanda Holmes, 44, of Somerset, is charged with forging the…
We’re excited to announce that three additional Assistant Prosecutors have joined the ECPO!They join the six new Assistant Prosecutors sworn in earlier this month further strengthening our team and commitment to serving the people of Essex County.Congratulations to all our new APs!
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that three defendants were each sentenced to 60 years in prison for a 2021 fatal shooting in Newark. The Honorable Judge Ronald D. Wigler, J.S.C. presided over both the trial and the sentencing. On July 2, 2025, a jury convicted 23-year-old Tyshon Armour of Newark, 23-year-old Reynold Henderson…
ECPO congratulates Paralegal Specialist Lisa Labenski on being selected as an honoree at the Essex County Teamwork ceremony.Lisa is one of six outstanding county employees recognized for their work in Putting Essex County First!Congratulations Lisa!
ECPO congratulates six of our supervisors on their well deserved promotions to the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. Prosecutor Stephens and Chief of Investigators Mitchell G. McGuire III commend these outstanding individuals for their leadership, professionalism, and commitment to protecting the citizens of Essex County.Congratulations!
This fall, we’re proud to welcome the newest class of college and law student interns to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office! These bright, motivated students will gain hands-on experience in criminal justice, legal research, and public service while they work alongside our dedicated prosecutors and staff. Welcome to ECPO!
On Tuesday September 2, 2025, six new Assistant Prosecutors were officially sworn in to serve the people of Essex County. Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II addressed the new Assistant Prosecutors, and the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler later administered the oath.We are proud to welcome them to the ECPO where they will work tirelessly to uphold…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones announced today that three Essex County Sheriff’s officers were charged with theft on August 28, 2025 following an investigation into the unauthorized removal of items during the execution of a narcotics search warrant. The incident occurred on January 10, 2023, at the apartment of…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that Tyrone Cradle, 29, of Newark was convicted by an Essex County jury of first-degree murder and related weapons charges in the shooting death of his stepfather in 2023. Assistant Prosecutors Daniel Nicholas and Brianna Sandroni tried the case before the Honorable Naazneen Khan, J.S.C. The jury returned…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda today announced the arrest of a Newark man for the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend. Kasem McDonald, 42, shot Shaneequah Williams, 45, in her apartment at 89 Astor Street in Newark at around 10:45am on Saturday August 9. McDonald initially fled the scene…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that Kendall Howard, 33, of East Orange, has been sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison for shooting two Newark police officers in 2022. Howard pleaded guilty in March to first-degree attempted murder and weapons charges. On November 1, 2022, at approximately 2:00 pm Newark…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda today announced an arrest in a fatal hit and run accident that killed a woman in Newark earlier this year. On Saturday April 26, at approximately 4:30pm, Newark police officers discovered the victim identified as Margie Reyes, 53, lying in the street near…
Prosecutor Stephens was one of the many speakers at today’s Essex County Public Safety Youth Academy graduation. The recruits, ages 8-13, spent three weeks this summer learning the functions of the ECPO, the Newark and East Orange police and fire departments, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Congratulations to the graduates!
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda today announced the arrest in a fatal hit and run accident that killed one pedestrian and seriously injured another in Newark. The accident happened around 9pm on Monday July 28 in front of the George Washington Carver Elementary School at 333 Clinton Place.…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a former Hudson County corrections officer has been sentenced to 50 years for the fatal shootings of his girlfriend and her friend in 2021. The Honorable Ronald D. Wigler presided over both the trial and the sentencing. The prosecution proved that on February 16, 2021, 27-year-old…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that a jury has convicted Aziz Combs, 34 of Irvington, of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, fourth-degree resisting arrest, and fourth-degree obstruction of the investigation of a crime. The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutor Marco Collemi before the Honorable Judge Naazneen Khan. On January 5,…
The Essex County Public Safety Youth Academy recruits took their official pledge today! This free three-week program gives youth ages 8-13 a behind the scenes look at the functions of the ECPO, the Newark and East Orange police and fire departments, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. The recruits will also go on field trips…
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 fatal shooting of a Newark man in November 2020. The victim, 23-year-old Quaze Vines was…
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones are urging the public to be vigilant following reports of a disturbing bail scam that targets the families of individuals who have been recently arrested. Scammers are contacting loved ones of defendants and demanding bail money be sent through mobile payment apps such as…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 MAY, 2026. “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…
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…
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…
Nearly 400 middle school students from across Essex County gathered at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark on December 18th for the annual Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Youth Conference. The event aimed to empower young adults with valuable information about community safety, internet safety and positive decision-making. A big thank you to the…
$15,000 Crime Stoppers Reward for Information in 2018 Fatal Weequahic Park Shooting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Essex County Sherriff Armando B. Fontoura today announced a $15,000 Crime Stoppers Program reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for a fatal shooting in Weequahic Park in Newark…
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Essex County Sherriff Armando B. Fontoura announced today a $5,000 Crime Stoppers Program reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in Newark in 2021. On September 12, 2021, 42-year-old Rajon Collins was…
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Participates in “2024 Practice Area Fair” at Rutgers School of Law 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…
“Sanctuary” Program Graduates New Trainees in Domestic Violence Outreach 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…
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…
By Robert Florida 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…
By Robert Florida 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…
By Robert Florida 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…
By Robert Florida 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…
By Robert Florida 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…
By Robert Florida 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. …
By Robert Florida Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that an Essex County jury has convicted Edwin Andujar of murder for fatally stabbing Thomas Parent, 59, of Belleville. On August 7, 2014, Belleville Police responded to 26 Wallace Street, 2nd Floor Apartment, and found victim Thomas Parent sitting in a…
By Robert Florida 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 Nasir Dudley, 20, of Newark. On January 24, at 6:53 p.m., Newark police responded to a report…
For more details please visit – https://njecpo.org/community-programs/
By Robert Florida The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a man who fled from police during an arrest while leaving his suitcase behind cannot legally object to officers searching his suitcase without a warrant. The man, Curtis Gartrell, is charged with guns and drug offenses. Frank J. Ducoat, Director of the Essex County…
By Robert Florida Essex County Crime Stoppers is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person (s) who fatally shot Imam Hassan Sharif (Call 973 621-4111). The reward came in the wake of a press conference at ECPO, where law enforcement officials said they will work together to make an…
“Sanctuary” A Domestic Violence Response Initiative An Outreach Program of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy What is “Sanctuary”? Sanctuary is an intensive, interactive 100-hour training program designed to equip community residents to provide crisis intervention and outreach services to domestic violence related assault, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, property crime victims, as…
By Robert Florida 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 Antoine Alston, 39, of Newark. On December 19, at 3:58 a.m., Newark police responded to a report…
By Robert Florida Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Belleville Chief of Police Mark Minichiniannounced that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of Francis Medina, 37, of Belleville. A 4-year-old boy was injured in the shooting. On December 16, at about 2 p.m.,…
By Robert Florida On Friday, Dec. 8, ABC’s 20/20 will air an episode featuring Assistant Prosecutor Michele Miller, who tried the James Ray case. The show will air from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., and feature other assistant prosecutors and detectives from ECPO. In May 2023, Ray was found guilty of murdering Angela Bledsoe, his…
By Robert Florida Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that an Essex County jury convicted Esau Grant, 29, of Newark, of robbing the Capital One Bank in Newark. On July 3, 2021, Grant was captured on video inside the Springfield Avenue bank robbing a teller by handing him a threatening…
By Robert Florida Newark – Thirty-seven years after discovering a dead baby, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office seeks the public’s help in identifying the newborn, who was found abandoned in South Orange a day after Thanksgiving. On the morning of November 28, 1986, sanitation workers found the baby atop a trash can behind an apartment…
By Robert Florida Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that Assistant Prosecutor Michele Miller received the Outstanding Victim Advocacy in a Single Case award from the New Jersey County Prosecutors Association (CPANJ). During CPANJ’s recent conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin presented the award to Miller,…
By Robert Florida Superior Court Presiding Judge Mark S. Ali sentenced James Height to life in prison for fatally shooting Renown Wilson, 55, of Orange, N.J. Back on August 9, 2023, a jury found Height, 54, guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree unlawful possession of a gun, and second-degree possession of a gun for an…
By Robert Florida Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Belleville Chief of Police Mark Minichini announced today that Scott Hurring, 43, of Belleville, has been charged with murder for the fatal shooting of Erica Voloshin, 37, of Nutley. On October 1, at 10:24 a.m., Belleville police were notified of a shooting on…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Acting Prosecutor Stephens offers the following comments on the life and legacy of the late Lieutenant Governor: “I met the Lieutenant Governor in the 1990s. She was born in Newark but moved to East Orange, where I’ve lived most of my life. We first met when Mayor Cardell Cooper appointed Sheila to the East Orange…
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…
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…
By Robert Florida Twelve-year-old Tyler Roman says his dream is to one day become a surveillance expert for a law enforcement agency. “I like IT and detective work, so I’d love to work in police surveillance,” says Tyler, who attends Newark’s Robert Treat Academy Charter School. On Monday morning, Tyler’s dream took a step closer…
By Robert Florida Jovanny Crespo, a suspended officer of the Newark Police Department, was convicted by an Essex County jury of First Degree Aggravated Manslaughter, Second Degree Aggravated Assault and Second Degree Official Misconduct for shooting two men, one fatally, during a car chase through Newark in January 2019. Following a ten-week-long trial before Superior…
MELISSA ROSE COOPER, CORRESPONDENT | JUNE 22, 2023 | HEALTH CARE, LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY People diagnosed with mental illness who commit nonviolent, petty offenses are the focus The move to create a statewide mental health diversion program is advancing. On Thursday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would allow people diagnosed with mental illness who committed nonviolent,…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that two Essex County jail inmates were convicted of attempted murder for brutally beating Jayshawn Boyd with a microwave oven and other items. A third inmate was found guilty of attacking Boyd with additional weapons. Boyd, 22, suffered a traumatic brain injury from…
By Robert Florida Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II held a press conference Friday to discuss a multi-agency warrant sweep that apprehended fugitives on felonies ranging from homicide and aggravated assault to weapons possession. The warrant sweep was conducted across Essex County during the month of April, and resulted in the arrest of…
James R. Ray III, the Montclair lawyer who shot the mother of his 6-year-old daughter and then fled to Cuba, was convicted of first-degree murder. Following a six-week trial before Superior Court Judge Verna G. Leath, the jury deliberated for just three hours before convicting Ray of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that an Essex County jury convicted Yinka Olasoji, 42, of Newark, of aggravated assault for beating an East Orange cab driver. On June 26, 2018, Olasoji became enraged when the cab driver refused to give him a ride in East Orange, said Assistant Prosecutor Brianne Cunningham,…
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 Jayden Jarvis, 20, of East Orange, who was found dead last night in his car in Newark. On May 3, at 9:43…
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 a shooting in Newark last night that left two dead and one injured. On May 3, at 8:33 p.m., Newark police responded to a report of…
Acting Prosecutor Stephens spoke to seniors at West Side High School in Newark yesterday on the importance of education as well as his own journey to becoming Essex County’s chief law enforcement officer. “You have more opportunity than all generations before you,” Acting Prosecutor Stephens told the seniors. “You have all the information in the…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II will speak to the senior class at West Side High School on Tuesday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to noon. He will talk about the importance of having a vision and following your dreams and discuss his personal journey becoming Essex County’s chief law enforcement…
Donna Cameron, a supervising assistant prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, recently attended the “Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Fighting for Change” in Chicago, where she participated in workshops on best practices for contending with sexual assault “I prosecute juveniles charged with sexual assault, which must be handled with great care,” said…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that twin brothers Dequan and Uquan Meadows, both 24 of Newark, have been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Boubacar Doukoure, 29, of Jersey City. On January 24, 2023, police responded at 5:28 p.m. to a report of…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that Ibn Hill, 22, and Tyquan Zigler, 27, both of Newark, have been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting ofJerry Works Jr. in 2020. At the time of his death, Works was 50 and lived in Newark. On September 14,…
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 death of Amin Abdul-Aziz, 43, of Newark. On March 17, at 7 p.m., police were notified of an assault on the 100 block of North…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced that Chantal Mitchell, 31, of Newark, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for killing Deitrick Mitchell, 21, of Newark, back in February 2020. Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler sentenced Mitchell on Friday, March 17. Late last year, she plead guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter,…
By Robert Florida The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), held its 12th annual Black History Month Celebration, honoring six people who’ve demonstrated extraordinary commitments to the cause of justice. In his opening remarks, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said this year’s…
By Robert Florida Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced that Jashon Allen, 34, of East Orange, was sentenced to 28 years in prison following a guilty plea to aggravated manslaughter for killing Daimeir Nelson in October 2020. On Friday, February 17, 2023, Allen was sentenced by the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Judge…
Man Convicted of Slaying Mother of Three and Trying to Disintegrate Her Remains; His Brother Convicted of Aiding in Coverup Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced that an Essex County jury convicted Gualberto Lebron, 37, of Newark, for stalking and murdering Julia Vega, his ex-girlfriend, and mother of his children, then trying…
Death of Tyre Nichols and the charging of Memphis Police officers Anger. Hurt. Frustration. These are just some of the many emotions experienced after seeing the brutal treatment suffered by Tyre Nichols during a Tennessee traffic stop. The videos released today are far beyond disturbing; we echo the sentiments of Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.”…
Donna Cameron, a Supervising Assistant Prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, was one of only 10 prosecutors from across the nation to be awarded a Rondini Scholarship. The scholarship will fund her attendance at the conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Fighting for Change, where prosecutors, judges, crime victims, and others will discuss…
By Robert Florida Acting Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II invites high school juniors from Essex County who will enter the 12th grade in September 2023 to apply to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office high school summer internship program. This four-week program will expose students to careers in law, law enforcement, and government. The program runs from…
Essex County Sheriff’s Office Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers Program Offers Reward Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura announced, today, that the Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers Program is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the fatal shooting of Al-Sanir Hall, 16,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Irvington Police Director Tracy Bowers announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating a fatal shooting of an unidentified male victim. On Sunday, November 27, at about 6:59 p.m., police were notified of a shooting at the intersection of Melrose…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II announced today the arrests of two East Orange men wanted for outstanding warrants. During the execution of the warrants, police seized major contraband including drugs, currency, weapons, and ammunition. On November 16, 2022, members of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, along with members of the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Andre Murrill, 39, of East Orange, of attempted murder for purposely hitting the mother of his children with a car during an argument, causing her serious injuries. Following a four-week trial before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of…
Sixty students from local colleges recently completed a law enforcement program sponsored jointly by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the NJ Police Community Affairs Officers Associations. During the four-week session, students learned what it’s like to work in law enforcement and about careers in the field. They also learned about bias and hate crimes…
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 Nyshon Anthony, 23, of Newark. On November 8, at 2:40 p.m., police responded to a report of a male shot on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Irvington Police Director Tracy Bowers announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of Aziz Ibn Rasheed Bell, 22, of Hillside, N.J. On Saturday, November 5, at 3:26 a.m., Irvington police received a 911 call stating that…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Bureau is investigating a fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision that apparently caused the death of Earnest Green, 93, of East Orange. On Saturday, November 5, at about 6:30 p.m., police were…
Kendall Howard, Who Plead Not Guilty, Will Appear in Court November 9 for Detention Hearing Kendall Howard, who is charged with the attempted murder of two police officers, plead not guilty in his first court appearance, conducted virtually November 3 before Judge Jude Nkama. Public Defender George Shire said “not guilty” on Howard’s behalf to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II held a press conference on 11/2 to discuss the apprehension of Kendall Howard, who was charged with the attempted murder of two Newark Police officers.
Kendall Howard Charged with Attempted Murder of Police Officers. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced that Kendall Howard, 30, has been charged with the attempted murder of two Newark Police officers. Authorities allege that Howard shot the two officers on the afternoon of November 1 as they attempted to question him in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced the capture of 41 fugitives wanted for outstanding arrest warrants in Essex County. The fugitives were arrested on felonies ranging from homicide and aggravated assault to weapons possession. Four of the fugitives were wanted for homicide, and 12 have alleged gang affiliations. The five-day warrant sweep,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, who is serving 160 years in prison for killing three women and attempting to murder a fourth, has been charged in a new indictment for murdering a 15-year-old girl. In addition to murder, the defendant is charged with attempted sexual assault of…
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 Jordan Rodriguez, 31, of Newark In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 8, police responded to a report of a gunshot…
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 Altariq Johnson 36, of Newark In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 8, police responded to the 100 block of Brenner…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal stabbing of Kenneth Wilkerson Jr., 41, of East Orange. On the morning of October 4, police were asked to respond to the 200 block…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old male from East Orange. On October 3, at about 3:15 p.m., the juvenile was found on the 100 block of…
“Sanctuary” A Domestic Violence Response Initiative An Outreach Program of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office ofVictim-Witness Advocacy What is “Sanctuary”? Sanctuary is an intensive, interactive 120-hour training program designed to equip community residents to provide crisis intervention and outreach services to domestic violence related assault, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, property crime victims, as well…
Dr. Vincent L. Stallings, Principal of the East Orange Stem Academy: “Prosecutor Stephens and Chief McGuire spoke to a large group of students in our middle and high school. It’s important that this population of students has a chance to engage with professionals who look like them and are from the same community. Prosecutor Stephens…
LIVINGSTON, NJ — Reginald “Reggie” Sims, one of the first Black graduates of Livingston High School in 1971, has been quipping that he won’t need a name tag at the 50th class reunion this weekend. Sims, now an assistant prosecutor at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, is hoping to get more classmates signed up for…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Glen Ride Police Chief Sean Quinn announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Crime Scene Investigations Bureau is investigating a fatal car and motorcycle collision that occurred yesterday afternoon in Glen Ridge, N.J. Jordan A. Mayrant, 21, of Bloomfield, was killed when his Yamaha YZF motorcycle…
Meet Assistant Prosecutor Logan Teisch By Robert Florida During high school, Logan Teisch played the role of prosecutor for a mock-trial exercise. Later, at the University of Maryland, he studied law and came to appreciate the role that prosecutors play in criminal justice. “I was intrigued by the idea of fighting for justice for crime…
We want to thank the students, staff, and Principal Stallings for their hospitality at the East Orange STEM Academy during Prosecutor Stephen’s visit with the juniors and seniors.
We remind residents to remain vigilant in locking their car doors, removing their key fobs, and keeping valuables out of sight.#CPCANJ
By Robert Florida Dolores Bujnowski is an assistant prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit, which means her cases involve the physical and sexual abuse of children. It’s a tough job, but she loves it, and her commitment is born of personal experience. When she was a child, Bujnowski was bullied. So as she grew older,…
By Robert Florida Law enforcement courses through the veins of Sean Bradley. His father, James Bradley, was a narcotics detective for the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, and both his grandfathers were police officers – one in South Orange and the other in Newark. Two of his uncles were also police officers. And on this day…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II talks with Pastor Joe Carter about his work, his background growing up in Essex County, and how to keep the community safe. Prosecutor Stephens talks candidly about his home life and his fun times at E. Orange High School. The two also discuss the role that community…
Final Radio Call for Sergeant Eddie Negron By Robert Florida During his 24-year career, Sergeant Edward Negron battled many criminals, but the toughest fight he ever faced was losing both his lungs. In 2021, while working as a detective to safeguard citizens, Negron contracted Covid-19. It compromised his cardiovascular system and impaired his lungs. He…
By Robert Florida Every summer, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office offers a legal internship for undergraduates and law students. For eight weeks, the interns are placed in various units such as homicide, crime scene, and financial crimes, where they get inside views of how a prosecutor’s office functions. They help prosecutors prep for hearings and…
By Robert Florida Twenty high-school students recently completed the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Summer Youth Internship Program, where they learned about law enforcement and local government, especially about the mission of the prosecutor’s office. During the internship, the students, who will be seniors in September, took a business etiquette workshop and discussed the dangers of…
Nicole Graves-Watson, a Community Relations Specialist who manages Operation Helping Hand for the ECPO, spends the day in Lincoln Park, telling local residents about Operation Helping Hand, a diversion program where law enforcement officers connect those suffering from drug addiction with recovery services.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II, along with his staff, attended various Night Out events. He met with several civic organizations, highlighting the importance of partnerships between law enforcement and community groups, in an effort to combat crime and keep our communities safe.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Eliasel Baez,42, of Kearny, was arrested for causing the drug induced death of Newark Fire Captain Carlos Rivera. Baez is charged with strict liability drug-induced death for distributing a controlled dangerous substance that caused the death of Rivera. He is also charged with counts…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Robert Florida, a veteran journalist and public-relations expert, was named Public Information Officer for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO). Florida replaces Katherine Carter, who served as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for 12 years. Florida will manage all communications for ECPO, which is…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi announced today that the victim of the fire on Friday, July 22 has been identified as Cherry Davis, 69, of East Orange. The three-alarm fire broke out at approximately 12:30 am on Friday, July 22 in an apartment located on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Interim Newark Public Safety Director Raul Malave announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating the fatal stabbing of Ebony Johnson, 42, of Newark. On Saturday, July 23 at approximately 12:35 am…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Interim Newark Public Safety Director Raul Malave announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating the fatal shooting of Tameel Grimes, 31, of Newark. On Saturday, July 23, at approximately 12:22 am,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Interim Newark Public Safety Director Raul Malave announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of four people. At approximately 4:22 am…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Interim Newark Public Safety Director Raul Malave announced today that Quadree Richardson, 24, was arrested for the murder of Rabel Ramos-Gomez. On July 17, Ramos-Gomez, 46, of Belleville, was fatally shot on the 200 block of South 10th Street while working at his corner store. Richardson,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Interim Newark Public Safety Director Raul Malave announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating the fatal shooting of Ronhazim Skipper, 48, of Newark. On Wednesday, July 20, Newark Police responded to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today Newark Police Lieutenant Luis Santiago, and his son, Officer Louis Santiago, have both been indicted in connection with the death of Damian Z. Dymka, a nurse who was struck and killed by Officer Santiago. On Nov. 1, 2021, Dymka, 29, of Garfield was coming home…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the East Orange Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Antwan McAdoo, 42, of Burlington, North Carolina. On Friday, July 15, East Orange Police were dispatched to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Interim Newark Public Safety Director Raul Malave announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating the fatal shooting Rabel Ramos-Gomez, 46, of Belleville. On Sunday, July 17 Ramos-Gomez was shot while working…
April 8, 2022 Newark Man Found Guilty of Triple Homicide Sentenced to 375 Years in New Jersey State Prison Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Jeremy Arrington, 32, of Newark was sentenced to 375 years for murdering three people and attempting to murder three more after becoming enraged…
March 31, 2022 Orange Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Orange Police Director Todd Warren announced today that Khalil A. Wheeler Weaver, 24, of Orange has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Mawa Doumbia of Newark. The victim’s father and sister last saw her on the evening of…
March 31, 2022 Essex County Jury Convicts Newark Man of Vehicular Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Najeeh Green, 30, of vehicular homicide and other charges in connection with the death of Priscilla Godoy, a 29-year-old Newark mother. On May 5,…
March 5, 2022 Man Convicted of Triple Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Jeremy Arrington, 31, of a triple murder. He was convicted of murdering a female college student as well as two children. The two children, Ariel Little Whitehurst, a…
March 4, 2022 Essex County Jury Convicts Union City Man of Kidnapping, Assault, Strangulation and Weapons Charges Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted James Pilotti, 43, of Union City, of kidnapping, aggravated assault, weapons charges and strangulation. Following a trial before the…
Oct. 18, 2021 Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Young Girl Newark– Acting Essex County Prosecutor’s Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Jose Santana, 60, of Belleville was sentenced to 35 years in New Jersey State prison by the Honorable Martin Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court, for sexually assaulting…
Oct. 6, 2021 Serial Killer Sentenced to 160 Years for Killing Three Women Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced that convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, now 25, of Orange was sentenced today to 160 years for killing three young woman and attempting to kill a fourth between August 2016 and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Diego Ayala, 35, of Newark, was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl and filming the crime. Sentence was imposed by the Honorable Christopher S. Romanyshyn, Judge of the Superior Court. Under the terms of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that Victor Collazo, 45, of Newark was sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison for slashing a man in downtown Newark. On Sept. 1, 2019, a woman approached the victim asking for money in the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Richard E. Schade, a supervisor at NJ Transit who masterminded a scheme to steal millions from the transit agency, was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Arthur Batista Judge of the Superior Court. Schade, 63, of Lumberton was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Elias Serrano, 51, of Newark was sentenced to eight years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable James L. Jukes, Judge of the Superior Court. Serrano was sentenced to eight years for possession with the intent to sell heroin within 500 feet of…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Marvin Argueta, 37, of El Salvador, of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the murder of Miguel Gamez, 31, of Newark. Yesterday, following a trial before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the Presiding Judge of…
Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that Wahiddudin Kimbrough, 34, of Newark has been sentenced to 31 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court. Kimbrough was convicted of first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy, and third-degree attempted escape. According to Assistant…
Newark– Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Sharod Massey, 30, of Newark was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Harold W. Fullilove, Jr., Judge of the Superior Court, for continuing to possess weapons after being convicted of multiple felonies. According to Assistant Prosecutor Justin…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Gustavo Palomo, 39, of Newark was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for killing 19-year-old Jaleel McCauley in a car crash. The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division. In December, Palomo…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that brothers, Fuquan Knight, 28, and Shaquan Knight, 20, both of East Orange have been sentenced by the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, after being convicted of first-degree robbery and second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery. Shaquan Knight was sentenced to…
Feb. 5, 2020 Man Sentenced to Life for Murder of Photographer Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Christopher Poole, 26, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Rasheed “O.J.” Olabode, 27, also of Newark. “There is nothing we can do to bring back Rasheed, but…
Feb. 5, 2020 Authorities Seek Help from Public in Cold Case Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking assistance from the public in solving a cold case. On Oct. 5, 2006 Carey Suitt was struck and killed by a hit and run…
Jan. 30, 2020 Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Sexually Assaulting Girl for Years Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Roberto Grillo, 40, of Bloomfield was convicted by an Essex County jury of sexually assaulting a girl from the age of 12 to 16. Following a trial before…
Dec. 30, 2019 Newark Man Enters Guilty Plea in Vehicular Homicide Newark—Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Gustavo Palomo, 39, of Newark pled guilty to first degree vehicular homicide for causing the death of 19-year-old Jaleel McCauley of Newark. In exchange for his guilty plea, entered before the Honorable Ronald…
Dec. 23, 2019 Essex County Jury Convicts Serial Killer on All Counts Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 23, of Orange on three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of three young women he killed between…
Nov. 22, 2019 Man Sentenced to 65 Years for Murder Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Hassan Todd, 31, of Newark to 65 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of Elijah Roberts, 30, also…
Nov. 26, 2019 Allegations of Abuse at Essex County Jail Deemed Unfounded Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO), more commonly known as the Internal Affairs Unit, has concluded that claims made by two ICE detainees that they…
Oct. 10, 2019 Newark Man Sentenced to Six and Half Years for Aggravated Assault Newark—Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Lateef Dennis, 40, of Newark was sentenced to six and a half years — the maximum sentence — on one count of aggravated assault on his uncle and one count…
Oct. 8, 2019 East Orange Man Convicted of Drug Distribution Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Willie C. Moore, 40, currently of East Orange of eight counts of possession and possession with intent to distribute opioids, including oxycodone, endocet, alprazolam and heroin.…
Oct. 2, 2019 Man Convicted of Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Hasson Todd, 31, of Newark of murdering Elijah Roberts, 30, also of Newark, following a trial before the Honorable Martin Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court. The fatal shooting…
Oct. 2, 2019 Bloomfield Man Convicted in Check Fraud Scheme Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Woody Armand, 44, of Bloomfield of unlawful possession of a handgun, trafficking in personal information, forgery, and unlawful possession of heroin and oxycodone, following a trial…
Sept. 20, 2019 Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Vehicular Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Carlos Green, 44, of Irvington was sentenced by the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court, to 14 years in New Jersey State Prison for striking and killing Billy Ray…
Aug. 30, 2019 Northern State Corrections Officer Sentenced to Three Years Probation Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that former Northern State Prison corrections officer Avril D. Richardson, 46, of Elizabeth has been sentenced to three years probation by the Honorable Mark S. Ali, Judge of the Superior Court.…
June 14, 2019 Newark Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Unlawful Possession of a Handgun Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Dashon Ross, 35, of Newark was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court. Under the…
June 11, 2019 Man Convicted of Robbing Employee of Verizon Store Newark – – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Wahiduddin Kimbrough, 34, of Newark of first-degree robbery, second degree conspiracy and third-degree attempted escape following a trial before the Honorable Michael Ravin, Judge…
June 4, 2019 Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Vehicular Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Garrett Carter, 52, of Newark was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday after being convicted in March by an Essex County jury of vehicular homicide in connection…
May 23, 2019 Man Convicted of Vehicular Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Carlos Green, 44, of Irvington of vehicular homicide for striking and killing Billy Ray Dudley of East Orange following a trial before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of…
May 15, 2019 A Former Employee of Rutgers Medical School Sentenced to Five Years Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Sondra Bell, 55, of Newark was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison for stealing more than $87,000 from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where she…
May 7, 2019 Randolph Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Exposing Himself to School Children Newark –Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Kenneth Palmer, a paraprofessional at Jefferson Elementary School in Maplewood, has been sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for masturbating in the hallways of the…
May 3, 2019 Essex County Jury Convicts Orange Man in Killing of Taxi Cab Driver Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Sheedley Pierre, 22, of felony murder, robbery, conspiracy, using a juvenile in a crime, and weapons offenses for his role in…
March 29, 2019 Newark Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced that Zaki Jones, 36, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison today by the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, for the murder of Naji Everett, 26, of Orange.…
March 1, 2019 Handyman Sentenced to 50 Years for Bludgeoning Man to Death Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Nestor Francisco Canela Lopez, 40, of the Bronx was sentenced to 50 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of 64-year-old Charles Jeffrey of Newark. The Honorable…
Feb. 27, 2019 Triple Murderer Sentenced to 190 Years Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Jeffrey Holland, 30, of East Orange was sentenced to 190 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murders of Tiniquah Rouse, 21, Ashley Jones, 23, and Jarrell Marshall, 28. The victims, all…
Feb. 21, 2019 Former Coach Admits Sexual Assault Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Kevin L. Jimenez, 30, of Belleville has pled guilty to second degree sexual assault before the Honorable Sheila A. Venable, Judge of the Superior Court. In entering his guilty plea, Jimenez admitted that while…
Feb. 13, 2019 Newark Man Convicted of Murdering Orange Man Newark– Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Zaki Jones, 35, of Newark on all counts for the murder of Naji Everett, 26, of Orange. On Dec. 17, 2015 Everett was fatally shot outside a…
Feb. 7, 2019 Man Sentenced to 26 Years for Killing NJIT Student Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Taquan Harris, 24, of Newark was sentenced to 26 years in New Jersey State Prison for the fatal shooting of New Jersey Institute of Technology student Joseph Micalizzi, 23, of…
Feb. 6, 2019 Essex County Prosecutor and West Essex Police Departments Form Anti-Crime Task Force Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and nine Police Departments in the western part of the county have formed an Anti-Crime Task Force. The anti-crime partnership will allow…
Jan. 7, 2019 Reputed Gang Members Sentenced to 70 Plus Years for Role in Murder Newark – – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that two reputed gang members were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their role in the murder of 23-year-old William Porter, IV, of Newark. The Honorable James…
Jan. 7, 2019 Woman Gets Three Years for Stealing More than 500K from Mother-in-Law Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Patricia Layton Piccinno, 50, of Boonton was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison for stealing more than $500,000 from her 80-year-old mother-in-law and her husband,…
Dec. 19, 2018 Man Convicted of Felony Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Carlos McLean, 28, of Irvington of felony murder and robbery for the fatal shooting of Jonathan Vargas Matildes, 27, a Mexican immigrant. The fatal shooting occurred on Aug.…
Dec. 18, 2018 Two Convicted of Carjacking and Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that two men were convicted by an Essex County jury of an armed carjacking. One of those men was also convicted of an armed robbery that occurred on the following day. Dashawn Ward, 21,…
Dec. 12, 2018 Man Convicted of Triple Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Jeffrey Holland, 30, of East Orange of triple murder for the killing of Tiniquah Rouse, 21, Ashley Jones, 23, and Jarrell Marshall, 28. Following a trial before the…
Dec. 18, 2018 Ex-School Security Guard Convicted of Criminal Trespass Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Steven Hightower, 49, of Vauxhall of fourth degree criminal trespass following a trial before the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court. According to Assistant…
Dec. 5, 2018 Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Sexual Assault Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Vidrole Monace, 43, of East Orange was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Alfonse Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court, for sexually assaulting a…
Nov. 5, 2018 Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Fatally Shooting a 19-Year-Old Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Honorable Verna G. Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Mustafa Hill, 43, to 25-years in New Jersey State Prison for killing 19-year old Armani McPhall on Dec.…
Oct. 18, 2018 Newark Man Convicted of Felony Murder Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Kevin Miller, 27, of Newark of felony murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a handgun for…
Oct. 19, 2018 Newark Man Sentenced to Life for Drug Distribution Network Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today Kenneth Daniels, 32, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for being a leader in a narcotics distribution network. In July, Daniels and two other men, Levell Burnett, 41, and…
Oct. 11, 2018 Two Men Enter Guilty Pleas in Deadly Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Taquan Harris, 24, and Nafee Cotman, 21, pled guilty yesterday in connection with the May 2, 2016 robbery murder of Joseph Micalizzi, 23, of Freehold. With opening arguments scheduled to begin…
Oct. 9, 2018 Man Convicted of Aggravated Manslaughter Sentenced to 23 Years Newark — Acting Essex Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Mutah Brown, 21, of Newark has been sentenced to 23 years in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide for causing the death of 18-year-old…
Sept. 26, 2018 Police Involved Shooting Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau is investigating a police involved shooting that resulted in the death of Allen Travers, 37, of East Orange. The preliminary investigation indicates that yesterday, at approximately 9:40 p.m.,…
Sept. 27, 2018 Update on Police Involved Shooting Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau is in the early stages of investigating a police involved shooting in Newark that resulted in the death of Paul Braswell, 29, of Newark. “Consistent with…
Sept 11, 2018 Man Convicted of Armed Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Nahshaun White, 22, of Newark of first degree armed robbery, resisting arrest by fleeing and multiple weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a .380 handgun following a trial…
August 29, 2018 Man Sentenced to 32 Years for Drug Distribution Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Ramon Vega, 58, of Newark was sentenced to 32 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court. In December 2017 Vegas and Aldalberto…
Aug. 13, 2018 Nine Charged In $100,000 Drug Sweep Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that nine people were charged and more than $100,000 in cash and drugs were seized after warrants were executed in East Orange, Newark and Irvington. A total of $114,497 was seized. Approximately 33 grams of…
August 13, 2018 Former Newark Police Officer Convicted of Weapons Charges Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted former Newark Police Officer Eddie Gonzalez, 39, of Newark of illegally possession two weapons, following a trial before the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior…
Aug. 7, 2018 Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Will Host Opioid Community Meeting Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, along with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and health care professionals will host a community meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15, to discuss the effects of…
July 19, 2018 Man Sentenced to 26 Years for Attempted Murder Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Gregory Bentley, 24, was sentenced to 26 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence…
June 29, 2018 Newark Man Found Guilty of Felony Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Rakeem Johnson, 37, of Newark of first degree armed robbery, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Following…
June 28, 2018 Three Convicted in Incident with Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Detectives Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted three individuals who were involved in an incident with Essex County Prosecutor’s Office detectives during which a gun was recovered. Following a trial before…
June 27, 2018 Defendants Sentenced to More than 100 Years for Maplewood Triple Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that two Atlantic County men were sentenced to more than 100 years in New Jersey State Prison for murdering three people in Maplewood. The Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of…
June 21, 2018 Man Convicted of Aggravated Manslaughter Newark – Acting Essex Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Mutah Brown, 21, of Newark of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide for causing the death of 18-year-old Quadir K. Jackson, also of Newark. Jackson was killed in a motor crash…
June 21, 2018 Man Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Teenage Girl Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Vidrole Monace, 43, of East Orange of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. According to Assistant Prosecutor Jenna Gouck, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Peter Polidoro,…
June 20, 2018 Man Found Guilty of Raping Woman Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Jerome Mitchell, 37, of Newark of kidnapping and sexual assault. On Oct. 10, 2017 Mitchell approached his victim as she was walking, engaged her in conversation and then…
June 12, 2018 East Orange Man Convicted of Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Akeeme Thompson, 26, of East Orange and Bloomfield, was found guilty of murdering Pierre Collins by an Essex County jury following a trial before the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court. Thompson…
June 1, 2018 Comedian Artie Lange Sentenced to Probation for Possession of Heroin Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that comedian Artie Lange, 50, of Hoboken was sentenced to probation by the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court, after pleading guilty to possession of heroin. Back in December 2017,…
Man Convicted of Maplewood Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Andre Weekes, 25, of Maplewood of first degree armed robbery, following a trial before the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court. According to Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Brown, who tried the…
May 4, 2018 Jury Convicts Man of Robbing Carpenter on Easter Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Tariq Thompson, 39, of Union of robbing a carpenter in the parking lot of a Springfield Avenue restaurant in Irvington during the predawn hours of Easter…
May 1, 2018 Seattle Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Under New Jersey’s Terrorism Statute for Murder of College Student Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Ali Muhammad Brown, 33, of Seattle was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler,…
April 24, 2018 Man Found Guilty of Attempted Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Gregory Bentley, 24, of attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons charges following a trial before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court. According to…
April 20, 2018 Charges Against Staten Island Hustle Cast and Crew Dismissed Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the charges are being dismissed against nine cast and crew members of the reality television show “Staten Island Hustle.” As part of an episode of the show, the men tried to…
April 13, 2018 Hackensack Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Social Media Threats Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that John Coulouris, 19, of Hackensack, was sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Mark J. Nelson, Judge of the Superior Court, after pleading guilty to…
April 13, 2018 Newark Man Enters Guilty Plea to Homicide Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Alquan B. Council, 28, of Newark pled guilty before the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court, to first degree aggravated manslaughter for fatally shooting Rayshawn Ross, 39, of Newark. Council also…
April 5, 2018 Former Newark Police Officer Convicted of Impersonating a Cop Newark –Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted of Eddie Gonzalez, 39, of Newark of impersonating a law enforcement officer and making false reports against an ex-girlfriend. Today, a jury convicted Gonzalez of four…
March 16, 2018 Irvington Man Sentenced to 65 Years for Two-Day Carjacking Spree Judge Rejects Sovereign Citizen Defense Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that George Gaymon, 30, of Irvington was sentenced to 65 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior…
March 6, 2018 East Orange Man Enters Guilty Plea to Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Miguel Williams, 35, of East Orange pleaded guilty before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of Superior Court, to first degree aggravated manslaughter and weapons charges for fatally shooting Kwame Yeboah, 30, of…
March 6, 2018 Ali Muhammad Brown Enters Guilty Plea to Murder and Terrorism Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Ali Muhammad Brown, 34, of Seattle pleaded guilty today to killing Brendan Tevlin, 19, of West Orange before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Judge of the Superior Court. Jury selection was…
Feb. 27, 2018 Acting Essex County Prosecutor: Threats Against Schools Are a Serious Crime Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino issued a warning today to juveniles and others tempted to threaten schools on social media. In the wake of the shooting in Florida, Essex County has had three incidents of teens, ranging…
Feb. 27, 2018 Man Pleads Guilty to Social Media Threats Against Livingston High School Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that John Coulouris, 19, of Hackensack entered a guilty plea yesterday before the Honorable Judge Mark J. Nelson to eight counts related to threats against Livingston High School posted on…
Feb. 22, 2018 Man Sentenced to 55 Years for Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Luis Mangual, 33, of Newark was sentenced to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Verna G. Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, for the murder of Jose Alfaro, 39,…
Feb. 21, 2018 Woman Enters Guilty Plea in Vehicle Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Nicole Hines, 31, of Newark pled guilty yesterday to death by auto and leaving the scene of the accident that resulted in the death of Rodney Stroughn, a 49-year-old bicyclist, also from Newark.…
DATE: 2/9/2018 DEFENDANT(s): Daevon Davis CATEGORY: Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Daevon Davis, 28, of Newark of the July 2015 murder of 44-year-old Christopher Graham of Irvington, following a trial before the Honorable Mark Ali, Judge of the Superior Court. According to Assistant Prosecutor…
DATE: 2/9/2018 DEFENDANT(s): Saladine Nunez CATEGORY: Financial Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Saladine Nunez, 30, of the Fords section of Woodbridge pled guilty to using a fake passport to attempt to collect nearly $250,000 fraudulently wiring to him. Assistant Prosecutor Sarah Turk, who handled the case, said between Aug. 1…
DATE: 1/30/2018 DEFENDANT(s): Eduard Bentura; Yodelin Diaz; Lidio Martinez Miese; Jesus Quinones CATEGORY: Burglary, Robbery, Weapons Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that four men have entered guilty pleas, admitting their role in a West Orange home invasion in which a husband and wife and a young child were terrorized.…
Feb. 8, 2018 Man Admits Using Fake Passport to Collect Nearly $250,000 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Saladine Nunez, 30, of the Fords section of Woodbridge pled guilty to using a fake passport to attempt to collect nearly $250,000 fraudulently wiring to him. Assistant Prosecutor Sarah Turk, who…
Feb. 8, 2018 Newark Man Convicted of Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Daevon Davis, 28, of Newark of the July 2015 murder of 44-year-old Christopher Graham of Irvington, following a trial before the Honorable Mark Ali, Judge of the Superior Court.…
Jan. 30, 2018 Four Plead Guilty to West Orange Home Invasion Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that four men have entered guilty pleas, admitting their role in a West Orange home invasion in which a husband and wife and a young child were terrorized. The defendants Eduard Bentura, 33,…
Jan. 29, 2018 Man Found Guilty of Carjacking Spree Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted George Gaymon, 30, of Irvington of 20 counts in connection with a two-day carjacking and robbery spree during which he victimized numerous individuals in Essex County. “This defendant…
Jan. 26, 2018 Irvington Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Terrell Haywood, 28, of Irvington was sentenced to life in prison by the Honorable Alfonse Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court, for the murder of 23-year-old Kharey Reynolds of Newark. Under…
Jan. 26, 2018 Newark Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Mario Gayles, 34, of Newark has been sentenced to life in prison by the Honorable John Zunic, Judge of the Superior Court, for the 2015 murder of Icrish Bostic, 33, of Irvington. On…
Jan. 26, 2018 Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexually Assaulting Young Girl Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Gery Destra, 21, of Maplewood was sentenced to 29 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court, for sexually assaulting a…
Jan. 18, 2017 Three Sentenced in Short Hills Carjacking Murder Case Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that three of the men responsible for the carjacking and murder of Dustin Friedland, the 30-year-old Hoboken lawyer killed leaving The Mall at Short Hills, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms today by…
Jan. 3, 2018 Man Sentenced to Six Years in State Prison in Counterfeit Check Cashing Scheme Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Karif Hyder, 36, of Newark was sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Mark Ali, Judge of the Superior Court, for…
Jan. 10, 2018 High School Juniors Invited to Apply for Summer Internship Newark—Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today high school juniors, interested in law enforcement, are urged to apply for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office annual summer internship program. This five-week program is designed to expose high school students to careers in…
Dec. 26, 2017 Two Men Convicted in Sophisticated Drug Distribution Case Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Adalberto Garcia, 27, and Ramon Vega, 58, both of Newark, on 17 counts of conspiracy, drug possession and distribution following a five-day trial before the Honorable…
Dec. 18, 2017 Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Killing Inmate in Jail Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Rahdi Richardson, 34, has been sentenced to 29 years in New Jersey State Prison for killing his cellmate Desmond Sanders, 27, of Newark. On Sept. 1, 2013 Sanders was discovered…
Dec. 14, 2017 Irvington Man Found Guilty of Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Terrell Haywood, 28, of Irvington was found guilty of murdering 23-year-old Kharey Reynolds following a two-week trial before the Honorable Alfonso J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court. According to Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline Bilinkas,…
Dec. 14, 2017 Irvington Man Found Guilty of Carjacking Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Judson Porter, 22, of Irvington of carjacking and nine other counts following a three-day trial before the Honorable John Zunic, Judge of the Superior Court. On Jan. 27…
DATE: 12/11/2017 DEFENDANT(s): Durrell Hearn CATEGORY: Homicide, Robbery, Shooting, Weapons Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Durrell Hearn, 26, of Newark of murdering Tykwan Crenshaw during a robbery a chicken restaurant, following a one-week trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court.…
Dec. 11, 2017 Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Murder and Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Durrell Hearn, 26, of Newark of murdering Tykwan Crenshaw during a robbery a chicken restaurant, following a one-week trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin,…
DATE: 12/1/2017 DEFENDANT(s): Kanem Williamson CATEGORY: Homicide Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Kanem Williamson, 22, of Newark was sentenced to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, for killing of Amera Bell, a 35-year-old Newark mother, who was shot outside her…
Dec. 1, 2017 Newark Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing Young Mother Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Kanem Williamson, 22, of Newark was sentenced to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, for killing of Amera Bell,…
NEWARK MAN ADMITS WITNESS TAMPERING DATE: 11/16/2017 DEFENDANT(s): Kyon Coleman CATEGORY: Assault Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Kyon Coleman, 20, of Newark pled guilty to one count of witness tampering and two counts of second degree aggravated assault before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court. Under…
Nov. 16, 2017 Man Admits Witness Tampering Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Kyon Coleman, 20, of Newark pled guilty to one count of witness tampering and two counts of second degree aggravated assault before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court. Under the terms of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Cory Robinson, 26, of Newark pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of Edwin Gibson, 32, of East Orange. Under the terms of the plea agreement Robinson must serve 18 years before he is eligible for parole. After parole, he must…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Sandro Vargas, 46, of Irvington to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of Patricia Hiciano. Hiciano, a 37-year-old mother of four, was fatally strangled by Vargas in March of 2015. When…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Newark Police Captain Anthony Buono, 62, of Millstone pled guilty to one count of computer theft today before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court. In 2015, Buono and former Newark police officer Dino D’Elia, 52, of Newark were charged with two…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Gery Destra, 21, of Maplewood, of sexually assaulting a seven year-old girl. “It took a great deal of bravery and courage for the child to come to court, much less talk about something so traumatizing before the jury,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Lyons-Boswick,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Kanem Williamson, 22, of Newark of aggravated manslaughter for shooting a woman at the Bradley Court housing community in Newark. Following a trial before the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, Williamson was convicted today of aggravated…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the two remaining defendants in the Short Hill Mall carjacking murder from December 2013 entered guilty pleas today. Karif Ford, 35, of Newark and Hanif Thompson, 32, of Irvington pled guilty to their respective roles in the crime that resulted in the death of 30-year-old…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is urging parents to take proper precautions to protect children in the wake of three baby deaths over a 40-hour period last week. Parents should avoid sleeping with very young children and make sure they have cribs or bassinets. “In…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Shawn Rainey, 20, of Newark pled guilty today just as the jury was about to begin deliberations in his robbery trial. Following a two week-trial before the Honorable Michael A. Petrolle, Judge of the Superior Court, Rainey pled guilty to one count of robbery, one count…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Kevin Jones-Ward, 31, of Irvington was sentenced today to four years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Michael A. Petrolle, Judge of the Superior Court. Ward-Jones was arrested on June 22, 2016, following an investigation conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Ivery Brinson, 30, of Newark was sentenced to life in New Jersey State Prison today for killing mini-mart owner Narendrak Patel, 52, of Parsippany. In June of this year an Essex County jury convicted Brinson of aggravated manslaughter, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, felony murder,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Uvaldo Melgar, 46, of Newark was sentenced to 18 years in state prison for sexually assaulting two young girls. “This sentence brings finality and a sense of closure to the victims and their families,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Peter Polidoro, who tried the case. Following a three-week…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Bomani Duncan, 20, of Bloomfield entered a guilty plea, admitting to using Twitter to recruit gang members and sell guns. He also pled guilty to possession of a handgun. Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Giordano, who handled the case, said under the terms of the plea…
June 23, 2017 Essex County Jury Convicts Belleville Man Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Edwin Andujar, 53, of Belleville of murder for fatally stabbing his roommate Thomas Parent, 59, also of Belleville. “This defendant brutally stabbed the victim 12 times as he…
June 22, 2017 Newark Man Found Guilty of Murdering Irvington Mini-Market Owner Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Ivery Brinson, 29, of Newark of aggravated manslaughter for killing Narendrak Patel, 52, of Parsippany. Following a trial before the Honorable John Zunic, Judge of…
June 21, 2017 Passaic Man Enters Guilty Plea at Start Home Invasion Trial Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Peter Kopic, 38, of Passaic pled guilty to an Irvington home invasion robbery, one day after the start of his trial before the Honorable Siobhan A. Teare, Judge of the…
June 22, 2017 Watchung Man Found Guilty in East Orange Murder of Teacher Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Andre Higgs, 45, of Watchung of the murder of Latrena May, 27, a teacher at Pride Academy Charter School in East Orange. Following a…
May 18, 2017 REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION IN COLD HOMICIDE CASE Newark – Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura’s Crime Stoppers Program is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed Newark Liberty International Airport employee Bruce Santos, 26, of Newark. During the evening…
Dec. 16, 2016 Orange Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Drugs and Gun Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Michael Ford, 28, of Orange was sentenced to eight years in New Jersey State Prison today by the Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court. Ford was sentenced…
Dec. 14, 2016 Man Convicted of Illegal Possession of a Gun Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Braulio A. Lopez, 20, of Newark was convicted of illegal possession of a weapon following a trial before the Honorable John Gizzo, Judge of the Superior Court. At approximately 9:50 p.m. on…
Dec. 13, 2016 Jury Convicts Man of Killing Three at Irvington Strip Club Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Anthony Fields, 22, of Newark of killing three people and wounding two others on Christmas Day 2013 at Slick’s, an Irvington go go bar…
Dec. 13, 2016 Five Defendants Enter Guilty Plea in Video Attack Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that five men have entered guilty pleas before the Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court, for assaulting a 28-year old Newark man on Sunday, Jan. 10, at Broad and Market…
Nov. 7, 2016 Man Charged with Killing Three, Injuring Three Newark – ActingEssex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that Jeremy Arrington, 26, of Newark has been charged in a triple homicide in which a young college student, who was visiting the family, and two children…
Sept. 27, 2016 New York Man Admits to Conspiring to Steal Approximately $700,000 in High-End Merchandise from Newark Airport Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that David LaCarriere, 29, of New York City pled guilty yesterday before the Honorable Michael Nelson, Judge of the Superior Court, to conspiring to steal…
Sept. 27, 2016 Three Men Admit Early Morning Armed Robbery of 8 People Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that three men pled guilty before the Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court, to a string of armed robberies on Jan. 16, 2014. The victims ranged in age…
Aug. 22, 2016 Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Sexually Girl Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Russell Passamano, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Korynn Hunt, 39, of Newark to 50 years in New Jersey state prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl over a…
Aug. 5, 2015 Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Dawan Ingram, 21, of Newark to 50 years in New Jersey state prison for the murder of Najee Montague, 21, also of…
July 28, 2016 Irvington Mother Sentenced to 45 Years for Starving Daughter to Death Two other children were starved Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Krisla Rezierkyson Kris, also known as Venette Ovilde, to 45 years in…
March 21, 2016 Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Kidnapping and Raping Girl Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Pedro R. Rios, 60, of Newark was sentenced to 25 years in New Jersey state prison by the Honorable Bahir Kamil, Judge of the Superior Court, for kidnapping and sexually…
March 8, 2016 Man Pleads Guilty in Homicide Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Charles Puryear, 30, of Newark entered a guilty plea today before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, for killing Jackie Pena, 21, of East Orange on Nov. 25, 2011. Assistant Prosecutor…
Feb. 1, 2016 Jury Convicts Woman of Reckless Manslaughter in Super Bowl Sunday Killing Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Amber Brooks, 21, of Newark of reckless manslaughter for fatally shooting Michael Brown, 49, of Newark. Following a three week trial before the…
Jan. 21, 2016 North Bergen Man Sentenced to 20 Years in State’s First Human Trafficking Case Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Charles P. Torres, 56, of North Bergen was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with a 20-year period of parole ineligibility, after pleading guilty…
Jan. 21, 2016 Ali Muhammad Brown Sentenced to 36 ½ Years for West Orange Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Ali Muhammad Brown, 31, of Seattle, Washington was sentenced yesterday to 36 years and six months in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Michael Petrolle, Judge of…
Jan. 20, 2016 Firefighter Pleads Guilty Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Latina Byrd, a 14-year veteran of the Newark fire department, pled guilty to hindering, a disorderly persons offense. Byrd was responsible for managing a fund that firefighters pooled together to help pay for cable, supplies and other incidental…
Jan. 20, 2016 Belleville Man Found Guilty of Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Freddies Cresporios, 21, of Belleville of eight counts, including robbery, aggravated assault and weapons charges all linked to two separate attacks in Newark. Assistant…
Jan. 15, 2016 Former Chairwoman of Rutgers University Philosophy Department Sentenced to 12 Years for Raping Disabled Man Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, has sentenced the former Chairwoman of the Rutgers University Philosophy Department to 12 years in New…
Jan. 6, 2016 Man Enters Guilty Plea to Eluding Charges Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Freddie Wright, 23, of Newark pled to eluding and other charges yesterday just as his trial was scheduled to begin before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court. Under the…
Dec. 18, 2015 Newark Man Sentenced to 20 years for Aggravated Assault and Eluding Defendant fled from police on Irvine Turner Boulevard Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Ali Bass, 33, of Newark was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Eddie Roberson, 31, of Newark of the February 2013 murder of Talif Crowley, 38, of Bloomfield following a two-week trial before the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court. According to Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, Roberson…
Dec. 14, 2015 Montclair Man Sentenced to 50 years for Killing Villanova Student Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Carolyn Wright, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Ernest Williams, 24, of Montclair, to 50 years in New Jersey State Prison for killing Villanova student Brian Schiavetti, 21,…
Nov. 17, 2015 Ali Muhammad Brown Convicted of West Orange Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an EssexCounty jury has convicted Ali Muhammad Brown, 30, of Seattle, Washington of all counts in connection with an armed robbery of a man in West Orange. Following a two-week trial before the Honorable…
Nov. 9, 2015 Woman Sentenced to Five Years for Killing Man with Penis Injection Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Kasia Rivera, 38, of East Orange was sentenced today to five years in New Jersey state prison by the Honorable John Zunic, Judge of the Superior Court, for causing…
Nov. 5, 2015 Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Eluding Man is charged in three other homicides Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Ali Bass, 33, of Newark of resisting arrest, eluding, aggravated assault by eluding and unlawful possession of a weapon –…
Nov. 5, 2015 Essex County Jury Convicts Two Bloomfield Police Officers on All Counts Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted two Bloomfield police officers of official misconduct and related charges in connection with a June 7, 2012 motor vehicle stop on the Garden…
Oct. 21, 2015 Newark Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Resisting Arrest Defendant was sentenced under persistent offender law Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior, has sentenced Larry C. James, 41, of Newark to seven years in New Jersey state…
Oct. 5, 2015 Man Sentenced to a Year in Jail for Hit and Run Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jose Cruz, 59, of Newark was sentenced to a year in jail by the Honorable Bahir Kamil, Judge of the Superior Court, for a hit-and-run accident that…
Oct. 2, 2015 Rutgers Professor Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Disabled Man Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Anna Stubblefield, the former head of the Philosophy Department at Rutgers-Newark, of two counts of first degree sexual assault for raping a disabled man. The…
Aug. 10, 2015 Babysitter Who Left 4 Children Unattended is Sentenced to 3 Years Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Sykita Covington, 40, of Newark was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Carolyn E. Wright, Judge of the Superior Court, for leaving…
Aug. 6, 2015 Man Guilty of Sexually Assaulting a Child Sentenced to 17 Years Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that William Siudmak, 56, of Roseland was sentenced to 17 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court, for aggravated sexual…
June 11, 2015 Two Plead Guilty to Killing during Gang Discipline Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that two members of the Bloods street gang entered guilty pleas to causing the death of Kelry Pierrejules, 23, of Orange during a gang disciplining on Aug. 30, 2011. Pierrejules was assaulted on…
June 10, 2015 Man Who Killed Prom Queen Enters Guilty Plea Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Al-Muqqadin Means, 20, of East Orange pleaded guilty yesterday to murdering 17-year-old Aquilla Flood at her East Orange apartment a week before she was to be crowned prom queen. Yesterday, Means entered…
May 8, 2015 Man Sentenced to 55 Years for Murder and Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Marquise Hawkins, 20, of Newark has been sentenced to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of 16-year-old Khalil Williams of Irvington. The sentence was handed down today…
April 24, 2015 Convicted Cop Killer Sentenced to 60 Years Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that convicted cop killer Rasul McNeil-Thomas, 23, of Newark was sentenced to 60 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Robert Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court, for killing off-duty Newark Police…
April 22, 2015 Acting Essex County Prosecutor Announces Crime Victims’ Rights Week Activities Newark – National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the tradition of recognizing crime victims and those who serve them, has been designated by President Barack Obama as April 19 to 25. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will be joining with other agencies…
April 16, 2015 Jury Finds Man Guilty of Long Term Child Sexual Abuse Newark Man is Convicted on all 44 Counts Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Michael Calderon, 61, of Newark of 44 counts, including 21 counts of first degree aggravated sexual…
Newark Man Convicted of Double Murder Jury finds him guilty on all 24 counts Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has found James Olbert, 19, of Newark guilty on all 24 counts in connection with a murderous crime spree during which he killed two…
March 30, 2015 Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Murder and Robbery Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Marquise Hawkins, 20, of Newark of murder, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Khalil Williams of Irvington.…
Feb. 24, 2015 Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Killing Off-Duty Police Officer Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Rasul McNeil-Thomas of aggravated manslaughter for killing off-duty police Officer William Johnson, a lifelong resident of Newark and a 16-year veteran of the Newark…
Feb. 17, 2015 Maplewood Teacher Indicted for Sexually Assaulting 6 Boys Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Maplewood school teacher Nicole DuFault, 35, of Caldwell on 40 counts of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child for engaging in…
Jan. 12, 2015 Newark Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Stomping Another Man to Death Judge imposes another 4 years for theft Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Dwayne Johnson, 43, of Newark was sentenced to 50 years in New Jersey State Prison for the stomping death of Terrence…
Dec. 22, 2014 Father Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing Daughter Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Travis Hartsfield, Jr., 28, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for the March 2011 murder of his 20-month-old daughter, Asiyah Hartsfield. The Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the…
Dec. 15, 2014 Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Aggravated Manslaughter Newark– Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Daniel Bedford, 23, of East Orange of aggravated manslaughter for killing Kareem Montague, 33, of Newark. Following a trial before the Honorable Siobhan A. Teare, Judge of…
Nov. 19, 2014 Newark Man Found Guilty of Murder Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Dwayne Johnson, 43, of Newark of first degree murder for killing Terrence Everett, 38, also of Newark. Following a three-week trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, the…
Nov. 6, 2014 Newark Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping and Aggravated Sexual Assault Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Hakim Y. Jones, 24, of Newark pled guilty before the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court. Jones pled guilty to kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of three different…
Nov. 5, 2014 East Orange Police Officer Shot Newark—Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William C. Robinson announced today that Robert O’Neil, 28, of East Orange has been arrested and charged with attempted murder for shooting an East Orange police officer. At approximately 11:22 a.m. today Sergeant Michael Williams,…
Oct. 29, 2014 Father Convicted of Murder for Killing His 20-month-old Daughter Newark —Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Travis Hartsfield, Jr., 28, of Newark of murdering his 20-month-old daughter following a 5-week trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court. Hartsfield,…
Three Worked for the City of Newark
Oct. 29, 2014 Man Sentenced to 13 years for Causing Death of Two Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that James Sterling, 30, also known as James Megget, of Elizabeth was sentenced to 13 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, presiding Essex County Criminal…
Oct. 27, 2014 Queens Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Raping Young Boy Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Verna G. Leath sentenced Rene Delgado, 33, of Jamaica Queens, New York, to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison for violently sexually assaulting a three-year-old boy left…
Oct. 24, 2014 East Orange Police Officer and Two Others Indicted Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a 21-count indictment charging East Orange Police Officer Rajheher Massenburg, 35, of East Orange, with official misconduct and conspiracy to distribute narcotics following a…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, along with officials from Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announced today that Samuel Nyanteng, a naturalized American who was born in Ghana, was arrested at his Hillside home this morning and charged with perjury, false swearing and conspiracy. It is alleged that Nyanteng,…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray along with Newark Police Director Eugene Venable and West Orange Chief of Police James P. Abbott announced today arrests in two unrelated murders. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the June 25 murder of 19-year-old Brendan Tevlin of Livingston. A registered sex offender and…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Virgil Suggs, 43, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for the October 2012 murder of Bronique McLeod, a 24-year-old mother of two. On Oct. 1, 2012, for no apparent reason, Suggs open fire on a van carrying four people while they…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Eugene Venable announced today that Kaseem Callender, 18, of Newark and a 17-year-old juvenile have been arrested for the murder of Raheem Hughee, 33, of East Orange. On June 28, Hughee was shot and killed in the area of 41-45 Mountain View…
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that James Sterling, 30, also known as James Megget, of Elizabeth entered a guilty plea yesterday to two counts of aggravated manslaughter. On Nov. 19, 2012, while driving a Chrysler Pacifica SUV, Sterling hit an ambulance, setting off a multi-vehicle crash on South Orange…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William Robinson announced today that the three people killed Wednesday in a motor vehicle collision on South Grove Street near the intersection of Central Avenue in East Orange, at approximately 8:50 p.m., have been identified. They are: Tyrief A. Parker, 24, of East…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Eugene Venable announced today that the woman found dead in Newark yesterday has been identified as Milta Aponte Castellano, 48, of Farmingdale. Shortly after 11:00 am yesterday, Newark police officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Empire Street on a report of an…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington Police Director Tracy Bowers announced today that the Irvington Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force are investigating a fatal shooting. The victim has been identified as Kwasi Muhammad, 35, of Newark. Muhammad was fatally shot in the 700 block of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Fidel Ortez, 48, of West New York, pled guilty to knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of Jeffrey Zeisler, 61, of Howell. On Nov. 12, 2012, Zeisler was found dead at Newark Liberty International Airport after being…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Sheilah Coley have announced that authorities have made an arrest in connection with June 10, 2014 shooting death of Coulibabry Zoumana Wilson. Wilson, who was a student at Weequahic High School, was shot during a disturbance in the 100 block of Leslie Street on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Sheilah Coley have announced that authorities are investigating two shooting homicides in Newark on Friday, June 6, 2014. The first incident occurred in the 100 block of Muhammad Ali Avenue at approximately 2:40 p.m. Newark police officers were dispatched to a shooting call at…
Up to $10,000.00 Reward Being Offered
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Robert H. Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Nicholas Welch, 29, of East Orange to life in New Jersey State Prison for the September 2010 murder of Jessica A. Moore, a 19-year-old Seton Hall sophomore from Disputante, Virginia. In addition to the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, has sentenced Yusuf Abdullah, 41, of Newark to 7 years in state prison for second degree aggravated arson. On April 28, 2014, Abdullah, also known as Yusuf Camp, plead guilty to the charges, admitting that he purposely…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that Andrew Burrows, 25, of Newark was sentenced today to 17 years in New Jersey State Prison for the Aug. 20, 2012 killing of Russell Lighten, Jr., 24, of also of Newark. On March 25, Burrow pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter. Under the terms of a plea…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Charles P. Torres, 55, of North Bergen pled guilty in Superior Court today before the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson, Judge of the Superior Court, to multiple counts, including human trafficking and sexual assault. Specifically, Torres pled guilty to two counts of first degree human trafficking, promoting…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Irvington Superintendent of Streets and Sewers, James J. Ryan, 47, of Washington pled guilty to theft of services before the Honorable Judge Robert Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court. Ryan pled guilty on Monday to 3rd Degree Theft of Services for using Township heavy…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that Evan George, 63, of Essex Fells was sentenced today by the Honorable Judge Joseph V. Isabella to four years in state prison for sharing child pornography. In addition to the four years in New Jersey State Prison, George will have to register under Megan’s Law as…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the former Glen Ridge Borough Registrar of Vital Statistics admitted to stealing $82,981 from the Borough over a three year period. Tresor Gopaul, 30, of Montclair pled guilty today before the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, Judge of the Superior Court, to second degree theft by…
First Use of New Law Passed Last Year By Legislature
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Roseland Police Chief Richard McDonough announced today that William Siudmak, 55, of Roseland, was arrested Friday, March 14, and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault, four counts of sexual assault and six counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The crimes are alleged to…
Acting Attorney General John Hoffman, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and more than 100 Essex County school and law enforcement officials gathered in Newark today to discuss school security. The goal of the summit was to foster communication between first responders and school administrators. “In the wake of the mass murder at Sandy…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Andre Mells was sentenced to life in prison by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, for the 2011 murder of Idris Denmark. On Jan. 9, 2014, an Essex County jury convicted Mells, 27, of Irvington of murder for the May 29, 2011…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that two former Essex County Parks Department employees pled guilty today to one count of theft before the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court. Rocca Gonnella, 47, of Toms River and Albert Maldonado, 42, of Elizabeth both entered guilty pleas. The men each admitted…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Glen Ridge Police Chief Sheila Byron-Lagattta announced today that following a joint investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Glen Ridge Police the former Glen Ridge Borough Registrar, Tresor Gopaul, 30, of Montclair has been arrested and charged with stealing in excess of $50,000 from the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Kelly Fowler, 45, of Irvington of aggravated arson for setting her former girlfriend’s West Orange home on fire. Following a nine-day trial before the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury found Fowler guilty on three…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Charlene Cook, 24, of Emmaus, Pa., of aggravated assault for hitting her boyfriend with a car during an argument. On Nov. 20, 2011, at approximately 4 a.m. Cook, her boyfriend and his sister has just left a nightclub in West…
First indictment under new comprehensive anti-trafficking law.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Andre Mells, 29, of Irvington of the May 2011 murder of Idris Denmark, 27, of Newark. Denmark was shot ten times with two guns at 4:30 in the afternoon on May 29, 2011 in New Hope Village on Norfolk…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Altariq Coursey, 40, of Edgewater Park in Burlington County was sentenced by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, to 22 years in New Jersey State Prison for distribution of cocaine. Coursey must serve 11 years before he is eligible for parole.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, Irvington Police Director Joseph Santiago, Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio, East Orange Police Chief William C. Robinson, along with State and Federal officials, announced today that four arrests have been made and warrants have been issued for 1 suspect wanted in the holiday spree of homicides in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will host its 18th “World Against Violence (WAV#18) Youth Conference,” tomorrow for approximately 300 middle school students from Irvington, Orange, East Orange, Cedar Grove and Newark. Entitled: “Learning to Succeed to Reach Your Goals!” the purpose of the summit is…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Clarence Williams, 42, of Newark to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison for carjacking a 21-year-old West Orange man. Following a two week trial, on Sept. 25, Williams was convicted by an Essex…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Hakim Y. Jones, 23, of Newark was arraigned yesterday before the Honorable Michael A. Petrolle after the return of a 38-count indictment by the Grand Jury. The indictment alleges that the defendant committed aggravated sexual assaults of five women and girls over a 10 day…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Professional Standards Bureau of the Prosecutor’s Office are investigating a police involved shooting. The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 12:30 p.m. on 4th Avenue and North 9th Street in the city of Newark,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Khaalid Fate, 37, of Newark of two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer following a trial before the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson, Judge of the Superior Court. The jury also convicted Fate’s co-defendant, George Jones, 45, of Newark…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury late today convicted a Bloomfield man of fatally stabbing his estranged wife in her Montclair home. Following a three-week trial before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury found Khalid Khan, 44, guilty of murdering Shazmina…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Sherry A. Hutchins-Henderson, J.S.C. sentenced Nadiyah Venable, 23, of Newark to 55 years state prison for the murder of Sha-Ron Moens, a 29-year-old mother of three from Newark. On May 15, 2010 a pregnant Venable, accompanied by her then 15-year-old cousin, went to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Clarence Williams, 42, of Newark of carjacking following a trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court. Following a two week trial, the jury returned a verdict this morning finding Williams guilty of one count of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., sentenced Nolvin Garcia, 25, also known as Jose Elvin Lendos Garcia, of Orange, to 24 years in New Jersey state prison for 1st degree aggravated manslaughter and 1st degree attempted murder in the fatal shooting of Jacques Nelson, 32,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Muhammed Farooq, 49, of Somerset pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, to one count of 2nd degree theft by deception in connection with a scheme to defraud the Food Stamp program. Following a joint investigation by the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Newark Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in a Feb. 26, 2013 robbery and a subsequent attempted robbery and homicide. A composite sketch…
On August 19, 2013, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray joined U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio to announce the launch of a joint anti-carjacking public awareness campaign. Aimed at raising awareness of the serious consequences carjackers face, the campaign will include billboards,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Glen Ridge Police Chief Sheila Byron-Lagattuta announced today that an arrest has been made in connection with an arson that occurred in the early morning hours of August 11, 2013 in Glen Ridge. At approximately 1:20 am on Sunday, Glen Ridge police responded to a residence on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Thomas M. Moore, J.S.C., sentenced Tina Lunney, 46, of Fairfield to 40 years in New Jersey State Prison for murdering her mother, Marie Zoppi. Lunney is required to serve 85 percent of her sentence under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act before becoming…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Thomas M. Moore, J.S.C., sentenced Abdul Holman, 26, of Newark to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison for attempted murder. Under the No Early Release Act, Holman must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. Assistant Prosecutor…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Jose Cruz, 40, of Irvington of sexually assaulting a girl repeatedly over a period of 2 years when she was between the ages of 9 and 10 years old. Following a four-day trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C., sentenced Raheem Battles, 32, of Orange to 20 years in state prison for carjacking. On March 20, 2012, the victim, a 53-year-old Livingston man, was carjacked by Battles in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant on Main…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that this afternoon Kisha Curtis, 29, of Irvington, pled guilty before the Honorable Joseph Cassini, III, J.S.C., to the indictment which charges her with one count of 4th degree animal cruelty. The case was scheduled to go to trial tomorrow. Back in March of 2011 Curtis was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the State Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment charging an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer with official misconduct, criminal restraint, criminal coercion and terroristic threats. During the late night hours of Oct. 5, 2012 and the early morning hours of Oct. 6, 2012, John P. Warnock,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jose Garcia-Lendos, a 25-year-old undocumented Honduran living in Orange, pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., to aggravated manslaughter for the Aug. 6, 2012 killing of Jacques Nelson, 32, also of Orange. A father of four, Nelson was killed trying to stop…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Essex Fells Police Chief Vincent Kulik announced today that John Mekell, Jr., 46, has been charged with the murder of his father, John Mekell Sr., 69, both of Essex Fells. At approximately 3:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2013, Essex Fells Police officers were summoned to Fellscrest…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio are seeking help from the public identifying individuals in these surveillance photos from the Bergen Street IHOP restaurant murder which occurred on March 23. The IHOP manager, Papa Khaly Ndiaye, 30, was killed and a second person was shot but survived. **…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Joseph C. Cassini, III, J.S.C., sentenced Jamal Peoples, 27, of Newark to 15 years in state prison for 1st degree robbery and 1st degree aggravated sexual assault. On May 25, 2011 at approximately 10 p.m., Peoples walked past a male and female couple…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Kevin Lloyd, 44, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison without parole by the Honorable Alfonse Cifelli, J.S.C., after an Essex County jury found him guilty of attempted murder and weapons charges. Lloyd was convicted of attempting to murder Terrell Smith, 23, of Newark…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Nadiyah Venable, 23, of Newark of murder, felony murder, conspiracy, burglary and weapons offenses for the brutal stabbing death of Sha-Ron Moens, a 29-year-old mother of three. In a trial before the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson, J.S.C., the jury deliberated for…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Henry Milstrey, 46, pleaded guilty to assaulting Robert Kevin Waters, president of the Newark Little League, during a game on June 8, 2011. Following a two week trial and two days of jury deliberations, Milstrey informed the Honorable Thomas M. Moore, the judge presiding over…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury returned an 18-count indictment against Millburn Fire Inspector Peter Dicostanzo, 40, and his wife Angela Discostanzo, 35. The indictment charges the Nutley couple with theft, forgery, and misapplication of entrusted funds for the unauthorized use of money and the sale…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter V. Ryan sentenced Jaworski Sneed, 20, of East Orange, to life in state prison for murdering Daryl Logan, 47, of Newark. Logan was fatally shot on Christmas Eve 2010 outside a Newark grocery store where he worked. Logan left the store, located…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Kenneth Glasco, 47, of Irvington of 3rd degree leaving the of accident and 3rd degree endangering an injured victim. On Aug. 3, 2011 at approximately 1 a.m. Glasco, who was driving his car, struck then 50-year-old Carl Russell who was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Muhammed Farooq, 49, of Somerset has been arrested and charged with first 1st degree money laundering, 2nd degree theft by deception and 4th degree Food Stamp fraud. Following a joint investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, the U.S. Department of Agriculture…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Anwar Crockett, 32, and Ali Ibn Karim, 31, both of Elizabeth, were sentenced to extended prison terms today by the Honorable Martin Cronin, J.S.C. Crockett was sentenced to 30 years with a 22-year period of parole ineligibility. Karim was sentenced to 24 years with a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Bloomfield Police Chief Christopher Goul announced today that arrest warrants have been issued for Marcelus Tonic, 25, of Newark. Tonic is wanted for the murder of 24-year-old Ron E. Jean of Belleville. Jean was fatally shot on April 27 at approximately 3:30 am in the 500 block…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., sentenced former Newark Police Officer Hugo Fierro, 46, of Newark, to 5 years in New Jersey state prison for assaulting a 44-year-old man with his weapon in front of Tony’s Marisqueira Bar and Restaurant in Newark in 2011 On…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Raheem Cleveland, 33, of Newark of murder, attempted murder and weapons offenses. Following a three-day trial before the Honorable Joseph C. Cassini, III, the jury deliberated a day and half before reaching a verdict finding Cleveland guilty on all…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that following a joint investigation by the Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Fidel Ortez, a bus driver who struck and killed a pedestrian at Newark Liberty International Airport, has been arrested. Fidel Ortez, 47, of West…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that Bridgette Rivera, 21, of Belleville has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Michael Perez, 20, of Newark. At approximately 7:57 p.m. Perez was shot on Saturday, April 20, in his apartment located in the 300…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Felicia Williams, 38, of Montclair was indicted on charges of aggravated manslaughter for the Jan. 13 fatal stabbing of Herbert W. Spriggs, III, 47, also of Montclair. Following an early morning argument between the couple, Williams allegedly stabbed Spriggs one time in the residence they…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Joseph Melillo, 45, who was homeless but has resided in Newark, was indicted for the November 2012 murder of Therese Diggins, 58, also of Newark. The body of Diggins was pulled from the Passaic River the day after Thanksgiving in 2012. She died from strangulation,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will kick off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by unveiling a new 30-minute video and an updated website focusing on the needs of crime victims. “Serving the needs of crime victims in this high-tech, fast-moving environment is a challenge. Sometimes…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an indictment was returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging defendant Marc Jackson, 27, of East Orange with the third degree crime of Creating a Risk of Widespread Injury or Damage. These charges stem from an alleged incident which occurred in East Orange in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an indictment has been returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging defendant Johnathan Taylor, 41, of Plainfield with the second degree conspiracy, aggravated arson and insurance fraud. These charges stem from an alleged incident which occurred in Newark in March of 2012. On March…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington Police Director Joseph Santiago announced today that James Ryan, superintendent of Streets and Sewers of the Township of Irvington, has been arrested and charged with corruption for using municipal property in his personal business. Ryan, 46, of Washington is accused of using two heavy duty construction…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jaworski Sneed, 20, of East Orange of murdering 47-year-old Daryl Logan of Newark. Following a two-week trial before the Honorable Judge Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., the jury deliberated for just over three hours before convicting Sneed of murder, possession of…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking assistance from the public in identifying the man in the attached photograph. He is wanted in connection with a March 29, sexual assault of an adult female. On Friday, March 29 at approximately 6:30 a.m. a 28-year-old woman living in Irvington was allegedly sexually assaulted by the man…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jennifer Lubisco, 33, of Millburn has been charged with third degree theft. Lubisco, who has been employed by the city of Millburn for seven years as a customer service representative for the Recreation Department, was charged today with stealing in excess of $500 from the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., sentenced Yvonne Walker to 45 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of Cassetta Blunt, an 88-year-old woman who hired Walker to cut grass and do other chores around the house. Walker, 47, of Irvington must serve…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jahaan Allen, 28, and Nathaniel Broadnax, 30, both of Newark, following a trial before the Honorable Verna G. Leath, J.S.C. The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutor Adam Salzer. On May 5, 2011, Newark Police officers noticed the two defendants…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jererad Hollaway, 26, of Newark was found guilty by an Essex County jury of second degree unlawful possession of a handgun but acquitted of murdering Michael Reese, 22, of Newark. The case was tried before the Honorable Judge Joseph Cassini, III, J.S.C. Deliberations began last…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an indictment was returned by the Essex County grand jury charging Ernest Williams, 21, of Montclair of murdering Brian Schiavetti, 21, of Ridgewood, Conn. Schiavetti was killed in Montclair during an attempted robbery on July 22, 2012. He died from multiple gunshot wounds. His body…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that Michael Parker, 40, of Newark was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and terroristic threats setting a small fire at Father and Son Moving Co., on Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark. Parker was employed by the Moving Company. This…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a 12-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office was convicted of official misconduct today by an Essex County jury in a case tried before the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C. Acting Prosecutor Murray said, “It is a real tragedy when a sworn law enforcement…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will host an all-girls youth conference in recognition of Women’s History Month tomorrow, Thursday, March 14. Over 200 high school students from various schools in Essex County are expected to attend the “We Run the World!” youth conference. The goal…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department are seeking assistance from the public in identifying a man believed to have been involved in two home invasions during which three women were sexually assaulted. During the month of February 2013, the suspect entered two separate homes in Newark brandishing a knife. In the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Anwar Crockett, 32, and Ali Ibn Karim, 31, both of Elizabeth, were convicted by an Essex County jury of eluding, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and weapons charges, including possession of an assault firearm. In addition, the defendants were convicted of possession of a weapon…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Millburn Public Works Department employee Anthony P. Boffa, 44, of Springfield, has been arrested and charged with theft. Boffa is charged with third degree theft by deception for purchasing landscaping products through the Township and giving the products to a private landscaper to repay a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Pedro R. Rios, 57, of Newark was arraigned today at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse on three counts of kidnapping, five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of hindering apprehension. Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Deborah Freier, who is handling the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin sentenced Jamil Kollie, 19, of Newark to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act, Kollie must serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. In December 2012, an Essex County jury…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jennifer A. Heiner-Pisano, 28, of Rutherford entered a guilty plea today to before the Honorable Judge Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C. Heiner-Pisano pleaded guilty to forgery, falsifying bank records and misapplying entrusted clients’ funds. From July 2012 through September 2012, Heiner-Pisano carried out a scheme that…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Keevin David, 20, of Springfield was sentenced to 55 years by the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., for the murder of 18-year-old Tyrell Coleman of Orange. On Jan. 25, 2011, Coleman was walking home from school around noon when he was shot multiple times by…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that Rasul Burt, 30, of East Orange has been charged with attempted murder for shooting an off-duty Essex County sheriff’s office last night at Mercedes and Mink, a bar on Springfield Avenue in Newark. The 25-year-old off-duty Essex County…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Verna G. Leath, J.S.C., sentenced Maurice Mosley, 22, of Newark to 30 years for the murder of Douglas Brown, 29, also of Newark. On July 16, 2011 Douglas was fatally shot after he and two women were ordered out of a van and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County grand jury issued a no bill, declining to indict Patricia Krentcil, 44, of Nutley. Krentcil was facing second degree child endangerment charges for allowing her then 5-year-old daughter to get in a tanning booth. On April 17, 2012 school officials noticed burns…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has rejected Kisha C. Curtis’ application for entry into the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI). PTI is a diversionary program. The charges pending against a defendant are dismissed after they successfully complete the program. Assistant Prosecutor Margarita A. Rivera put the state’s position on the record in court today before the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an 11-year veteran of the Newark Police Department was convicted by an Essex County jury of 3rd degree aggravated assault, 2nd degree official misconduct and simple assault for striking a Newark man in the face with his police issued weapon. Following a week-long trial before…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Sean Hill, 21, of Newark. Hill is wanted for the Dec. 15, 2012 shooting of a 24-year-old male in the 500 block of 17th Street in Newark. Hill is…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Yvonne Walker, 46, of Irvington of murdering Casetta Blunt, 88, also of Irvington. The older woman regularly allowed Walker into her home to do odd jobs in exchange for cash. Walker said the two got into an argument over $40…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Maritza Torres-Falu, 54, and Luis A. Velez, 55, both of Newark, were arrested this morning and charged with conspiracy, tax fraud and money laundering. The charges arise from their failure to file state tax returns or register three businesses: a consulting company called Latin Eagles…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jihad Latham, 20, of Newark. Latham is wanted for New Year’s Eve murder of Efrahim Kinchen, 20, of Newark. In addition to shooting Kinchen, Latham is charged with shooting…
Continuing a statewide effort to make New Jersey safer by taking deadly firearms out of circulation, Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced today that a state-sponsored gun buyback program for residents of Essex County will take place at six churches in five municipalities on February 15 and 16. According to Chiesa, the Essex County buyback…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that James Craft, 31, of Irvington was found guilty by an Essex County jury today. The defendant was convicted of possession of crack cocaine and unlawful possession of a weapon – a handgun. Assistant Prosecutor Jason Curry tried the case before the Honorable Judge Michael L.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Sherry A. Hutchins-Henderson, J.S.C., sentenced Garland Jones, 44, of Newark to 15 years in state prison for attempting to kill his estranged wife and a male companion who intervened and tried to render assistance. In November 2012 Jones pleaded guilty to two counts…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Rafael Moreta, 21, of Orange pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter for killing Mark Fisher, 21, of Orange. Fisher was fatally shot in the 200 block of Oakwood Place in Orange on Dec. 2, 2010. After one day of trial testimony before the Honorable Martin G.…
Acting Essex County Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Keevin David, 20, of Springfield of murdering Tyrell Coleman, 18, of Orange. Following a four-day trial before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., the jury deliberated all day Thursday and two and a half hours today before returning a guilty verdict.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William Robinson announced today that the East Orange Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force along with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Professional Standards Bureau are in the early stages of an investigation into a fatal police involved shooting…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking help from the public in finding two suspects wanted in connection with separate murders that occurred in the city of Newark. Tyquaah Mayse, 33, of Newark is wanted for the murder…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C., sentenced Gerardo Gomez, 20, of Newark to 195 years in New Jersey state prison for his role in the 2007 triple murder of three Delaware State University students at the Mount Vernon schoolyard in Newark. The sentencing brings to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the employees of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office donated 800 toys and games to benefit 10 local agencies that serve needy families, including several that specialize in meeting the needs of families who are victims or survivors of violent crimes. “Every day we have sad…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that 17 individuals have been arrested and charged with possession of drugs, possession with intent to distribute and weapons offenses following a pre-dawn raid today in what the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, VIPER Unit, dubbed “Operation Buy Walk.’’ Today’s…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Reginald Anthony, 30, of East Orange was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey state prison by the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., for 2nd degree conspiracy to commit burglary in the 2010 home invasion and robbery that resulted in the death of 91-year-old Robert…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that an arrest warrant has been issued for Kajuan Murray, 21, of Newark. He is wanted for the murder of Tony Johnson, 27, also of Newark. On Dec. 3, at approximately 4 p.m. Newark Police officers responded to a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C., sentenced Shahid Baskerville, 21, of Morristown to 30 years in New Jersey state prison for his role in the 2007 schoolyard robbery and triple murder of three Delaware State University students. Terrance Aeriel, 18, Dashon Harvey and Iofemi Hightower,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County grand jury has returned a three-count indictment charging attorney Raymond Roche, 54, of Mahwah with 2nd degree theft, 2nd degree misapplication of entrusted funds and 1st degree financial facilitation of criminal activity. Roche, who has a law practice in East Orange but…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that John Melvin Moses, Jr., 44, of Irvington pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault against two boys, both under 14 years old. Assistant Prosecutor Gigi Scoles, who handled the case, said Moses had been a friend of the victims’ family and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jamil Kollie, 19, of Newark of first degree robbery and weapons offenses following a trial before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C. On January 19, 2011, Kollie pointed a gun at a man on the corner of Schley Street and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Mellissa Wilson, 35, of Newark of brutally assaulting another woman with a box cutter in a dispute over a man following a trial before the Honorable Thomas Moore, J.S.C. Wilson was convicted on all charges – one count of burglary,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will host its seventeenth “World Against Violence (WAV#17) Youth Conference, entitled: “Overcoming Obstacles: Achieving Your Goals!” on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. This invitation-only youth conference will be held at Rutgers University, The Paul Robeson Center, at 350 Dr. Martin Luther King…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, working with officials in the judicial system, the Public Defender’s Office and mental health experts, is launching an initiative designed to divert non-violent offenders with a history of a diagnosed mental illness to treatment programs as either an alternative to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Orange Police Director Hakim Sims announced that eight individuals were charged today with distributing narcotics in the city of Orange. A ninth person was charged with possession of narcotics. Following a month-long investigation in a targeted area of Orange, in response to complaints about the open-air sale…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that Joseph Melillo, 44, of Newark has been arrested for the murder of Therese Diggins, 58, also of Newark. On Nov. 23, Newark Police located a female in the Passaic River in the area of 996 Route 21. Following an…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that resulted in the death of an ambulance attendant. Keith Chipepo, 30, of Montclair sustained fatal injuries today when the private ambulance he was riding in was involved in a collision with a Chrysler Pacifica.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jean Joseph, 39, of Irvington was sentenced by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C., to 15 years in New Jersey state prison for sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl. In April of 2010, the defendant’s mother was babysitting the little girl who had just arrived in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Acting Deputy Chief Quovella M. Spruill will be sworn-in tomorrow as Deputy Chief of Detectives in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office during a 10 a.m. ceremony on the 14th Floor of the Leroy Smith Building, 60 West Market Street, Newark. Acting Deputy Chief Spruill, who…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today they are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Newark. On Friday, Nov. 9, Hykine Johnson, 35, of Newark was fatally shot at a gas station on the corner of Washington…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Gerardo Gomez, 20, of Newark of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder for his role the Aug. 4, 2007 triple murder at the Mount Vernon school yard in Newark. Following a six-week trial before the Honorable…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Derrick Miller, 24, and Arthur Thompson, 31, both of Newark of murdering Anthony Hunt, 47, of Irvington. On Jan. 18, 2010 Hunt was fatally shot three times inside his Brighton Terrace residence. Hunt was home with his family when the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Maurice Mosley, 22, of Newark of murdering 29-year-old Douglas Brown, also of Newark. On July 16, 2011 Mosley approached a van in the vicinity of Orange and Gray Streets in Newark in which two women and Brown were occupants. Mosley…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced today that a juvenile and an adult male have been arrested and charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a young woman at Irvington Park. The victim, an 18-year-old college student, was returning from night classes at approximately 6:40 p.m. yesterday. When…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Sherry A. Hutchins-Henderson, J.S.C., sentenced Matthew Kirnan, 52, of Ramsey to 7 years in state prison for three counts of theft by deception. On July 18, 2012, Kirnan, a disbarred attorney and former mayor of Verona, pleaded guilty to stealing $750,000 from three…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Bloomfield Police Chief Christopher Goul announced today that Nicholas M. Camasco, 23, of Bloomfield has been charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated assault by auto in connection with the motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of 16-year-old Christina Lembo, also of Bloomfield. Camasco turned himself…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that two males have been arrested and charged with the murder of Jamil Bader, Jr., 18, of Newark. Tyrique Spruell, 21, and a 16-year-old juvenile, both of Newark, were arrested and charged with murder. Spruell was arrested late last night.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today Virgil Suggs, 42, of Newark has been arrested and charged with the murder of Bronique McLeod, 24, of Newark. McLeod was shot while sitting in a vehicle in the 300 block of Hawthorne Avenue in Newark at approximately 11:28 p.m.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Sahad Byrd, 23, of Newark pleaded guilty before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez to aggravated manslaughter for killing his girlfriend, Chiquitah Mayes, 21, also of Newark. On April 8, 2011 Byrd fatally stabbed Mayes at her grandmother’s Treacy Avenue home in Newark as she was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Judge Peter Ryan, J.S.C., sentenced Robert Johnson, 46, of Newark to eight years in New Jersey State Prison for sexually assaulting a developmentally delayed 14-year-old girl in the bathroom at a Rutgers University library in Newark. On Feb. 24, 2011, three days after…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Joseph Cassini, III, J.S.C., sentenced Anthony Massenburg, 41, of Henderson, N.C. to 60 years in state prison for breaking into an Irvington apartment, hogtying, torturing and sexually assaulting two women and attempting to murder his nephew. On January 21, 2010, Massenburg, who is…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating a fatal stabbing at Branch Brook Park. Fredrick Lamont Daniels, 41, was fatally stabbed this morning at the park. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital 12:29 a.m. The preliminary investigation indicates the stabbing…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Justin Hazel, 25, of East Orange of murder for fatally stabbing Floyd McLean, a 39-year-old East Orange father of three. The case was tried before the Honorable Thomas M. Moore, J.S.C., over two days. The jury deliberated for 3 and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jamar Holmes, 32, of West Orange for the murder of Donald Andrews, 40, of East Orange. After approximately 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Holmes guilty of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott announced today that West Orange school teacher Erica Depalo, 33, of Montclair was charged today with having an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student she taught in her Honor’s English class. The arrest warrant charges Depalo with first…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Lamar Hill, 20, of East Orange has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, eluding and receiving stolen property following a police pursuit yesterday that resulted in four people being injured. The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1:50 p.m. yesterday officers from the East…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today the arrest of 12 suspects accused of 15 carjackings in Essex County during June, July and August. “Carjackings pose a serious threat to the well-being of the community,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray. “We have been working closely with our federal…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that Anthony Burrows, 24, of Newark was arrested for the murder of Russell Lighten, Jr., 24, also of Newark. On Aug. 20, Lighten was fatally shot in the 400 block of South 17th Street in Newark at approximately 9:35 p.m.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Newark minister who filed a false insurance claim but failed to appear in court to face the charges. Rev. Amir Natson, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, located at 119 Camden Street in Newark, was indicted…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Robert Goodwin, 49, of Newark of second degree insurance fraud for submitting a fraudulent insurance claim related to the theft and torching of his girlfriend’s vehicle. “We hope this case sends a very clear message that people who lie to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Judge Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., sentenced Salvador Storch, 49, of West Orange to 30 years in state prison for aggravated sexual assault of a girl over a three year period. On Thursday May 24, 2012, a jury found Storch, a West Orange mechanic,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington Police Director Joseph Santiago announced today the Irvington Police and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Bureau are searching for a man wanted for sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman in Irvington. On Aug. 8, at approximately 3 am the victim was sexually assaulted in 900 block…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Isaiah Brinson, 18, of Irvington pleaded guilty to attempted first degree murder, first degree robbery, and second degree unlawful weapons possession. Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who handled the case, said at approximately 10 a.m. on March 28, 2011, Brinson robbed at gunpoint a male Verizon…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott announced today that Nolvin Garcia, 24, of Orange is wanted for the murder of Jacques Nelson. Nelson, 32, of Orange, was employed as a bouncer at Misty’s Restaurant and Bar located at 277 Main Street in West Orange. The father…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William C. Robinson announced today that the East Orange Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating an incident that resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old juvenile from Newark. The juvenile has been charge with assaulting a police officer, receiving…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., sentenced Colleth Merle Rhodes, 54, of Staten Island, N.Y. and Elizabeth, N.J., to 7 years in state prison for one count of second degree theft. While working as an account manager at XCEL Federal Credit Union in Bloomfield, Rhodes…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Acting Orange Police Director Hakim Sims announced that two individuals have been charged with the murder of Malcolm Bagley, a 19-year-old Orange resident who was attending Dean College in Massachusetts. “Malcolm Bagley was a young man with a bright future until he was violently and senselessly killed…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Montclair Police Chief David Sabagh announced today that Ernest Williams, Jr., 21, of Montclair has been arrested and charged with the murder of Brian Schiavetti, a 21-year-old of Villanova University student from Ridgefield, Ct. “Our detectives and those the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Luis A. Santiago, 44, of Newark of 20 counts, including kidnapping and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assaulting for attacking his 26-year-old neighbor. After deliberating over three days, the jury returned a verdict late today finding Santiago guilty of dragging…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Joel Hester, 25, of Newark for the murder of Oscar Ayo, Jr., 31, of Newark. The jury reached its verdict after approximately four hours of deliberation. In addition to first degree murder, Hester, a reputed Bloods gang member whose street…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and Newark Police are investigating a fatal shooting involving an off-duty Essex County Corrections Officer. The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 10:55 p.m. yesterday an off-duty corrections officer was approached…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., sentenced Edelbarto Padilla, 36, of Highland Park to 50 years in state prison for the murder of Carlos Manuel Freitas, 27, of Newark. On October 24, 2002, the two men had an altercation at the Ugha Ugha Social Club…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Jean Joseph, 39, of Irvington of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl. In April of 2010 when the crime occurred, the child was in the defendant’s home because the defendant’s mother was babysitting. Joseph brought the child to a secluded bedroom…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, J.S.C., sentenced Robert Claybrook, 31, of Orange to 14 years in state prison for stabbing his former girlfriend with a 12” butcher’s knife. On September 16, 2011, the victim was found lying in the street near Linden Avenue in Bloomfield…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Matthew Kirnan, 52, of Ramsey entered a guilty plea admitting he stole $750,000 from three clients he was representing in real estate and other legal transactions. Kirnan, a disbarred attorney, represented himself, when he pleaded guilty on July 16 to three counts of theft by…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Darnell Williams, 19, of Newark was indicted for the Nov. 12, 2011 murder and robbery of Kenneth Kwiatkowsky, 64, also of Newark. Kwiatkowsky was killed during a robbery on Chapel Street in the East Ward. In addition to murder, the eight-count indictment charges Williams with…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that two teenagers have been arrested and charged with the murder of taxicab driver Rochenel Guerrier, 49, of Irvington. Guerrier was killed in the predawn hours of Saturday, July 7. Just after 5 am Newark Police received a report of a car crash…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Rolando Terrell, 40, of Newark for the September 8, 2008 murders of Candes McLean, 40; her daughter, Talia McLean, 18; her niece, Zakiyyah Jones, 18; and her boyfriend’s daughter, Latrisha Curruthers-Fields, 13, all of Irvington. Terrell was found guilty of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today the Newark Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Section, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested two homicide suspects this morning. “I congratulate all the detectives for an outstanding job in apprehending two suspects wanted in connection with these murders. The…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William C. Robinson announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the East Orange Police Department have arrested Rochenel Estinphil, 19, of East Orange for the murder of Tyree Thomas, 18, also of East Orange. Thomas was fatally…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a 5-count indictment charging Phillip Sessoms, 23, of Newark with the murder of Kendal Davis, 22, also of Newark. In addition to murder, Sessoms is charged with two counts of second degree aggravated assault and two weapons offenses for…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that an arrest warrant has been issued for Robert Spann, 31, of Newark. Spann is wanted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Newark Police in connection with a shooting homicide that occurred at 84…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that six individuals were arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Regina Baker, a 29-year-old Jersey City mother of five. On June 19, Baker’s body was found inside a vacant townhouse on South 15th Street in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Marie Jean-Francois, 46, of East Orange of aggravated assault for stabbing her husband. The defendant’s 39-year-old husband had moved out of the house and was living in Irvington when Jean-Francois confronted him and stabbed him multiple times on Oct. 1,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a 38-count indictment charging Venette Ovilde aka Krisla Rezireksyon and Myriam Janvier with the murder of 8-year-old Christiana Glenn. In addition to murder, Rezireksyon, who is the mother of the child, and Janvier, a friend who shared responsibility for…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Oswald Hall, 61, of Newark pleaded guilty to one count of third degree animal cruelty. Assistant Prosecutor Dawn D’Amico, who handled the case, said on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2012 Hall kicked the dog, Zoey, in the head while wearing boots. Zoey, a small…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., sentenced John Staten, 32, of Orange to 18 years in state prison for killing Arthur Downey. In March 2010 Downey, 27, of Maplewood was killed by Staten. The two met through a telephone chat service. Downey picked up Staten…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio are seeking the public’s help in finding the person responsible for fatal a shooting at a Mavado concert in Newark. An internationally known Reggae artist, Mavado, whose real name is David Constantine Brooke, was performing at the Palladium Ballroom, formerly known as…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that Leon Thomas, 24, of Newark was arrested today for the murder of Ronald Kelly, 44, of Irvington. Kelly was fatally shot on June 1, 2012 in the vicinity of 727 South 15th Street in Newark. Thomas was arrested at…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a four count indictment charging Haniyyah Barnes, 25, of Newark with second degree burglary, third Degree Animal Cruelty, third Degree Theft and third Degree Criminal Mischief. The indictment alleges Barnes forcibly kicked in the door to the victim’s…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Rasul McNeil-Thomas, 20, of Newark for first degree murder, first degree conspiracy to commit murder, first and second degree carjacking, first degree attempted murder, second degree aggravated assault, two second degree weapons charges, and third degree child endangerment…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Roberto Ortiz, 32, of Newark for first degree murder and fourth degree hindering prosecution charges in the death of Sylvia Paucer, 37, of Newark. On November 9, 2011, Paucer was found unresponsive in her car on the 100th…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Trevor Rodrigues, 32, of East Orange was found guilty by an Essex County Jury of brutally beating his 31-year-old wife with a cable wire. The trial began on May 29, 2012 before the Honorable Joseph Cassini, III, J.S.C. This morning, Rodrigues was found guilty of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Khalif Paden, 23, of East Orange was found guilty by an Essex County jury of carjacking, robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, credit card theft and hindering apprehension. The jury deliberated for about an hour and 15 minutes before returning a guilty verdict in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that three Essex County employees working in the Parks Department were charged with third degree theft and conspiracy to commit theft. The three employees are maintenance repairer Albert Maldonado, 40, of Elizabeth; coordinator of maintenance services, Rocco Gonnella, 44, of Toms River; and laborer Jimmie Pettus,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray along with East Orange Police Chief William C. Robinson and East Orange Fire Director Charles Salley announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from local officials, is investigating the fatal fire that took the life of 55-year-old Willie Neal Springfield and her 3-year-old grandson, Shaquan Brown.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Raymond White, 26, of Newark for first degree murder and two second degree weapons possession charges in the death of Hameek Thomas, 18, of Orange. On August 31, 2011, at approximately 10 p.m., Thomas was shot in the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Tray Barnard, 32, was arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography. Barnard, of East Orange, is a substitute teacher in Newark and has most recently taught at Weequahic High School. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Cyber Crimes Task Force conducted…
Acting Prosecutor Carolyn Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Task Force and Newark Police Department are investigating an early morning homicide in Newark’s South Ward. Abdullah Parrish, 26 of Newark was fatally shot in the area of 661 Frelinghuysen Avenue at approxmiately 1 am this…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Anthony Barham, 46, was arrested for abducting and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy as the teen walked along the street in Newark. Barham, who has lived in East Orange, Newark and Irvington, was charged today with first degree kidnapping, first degree aggravated sexual assault, second…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Salvador Storch, 49, of West Orange was found guilty by an Essex County jury of 10 counts arising from the sexual abuse of a young family member over a number of years. The jury deliberated for 3 1/2 hours over two days before reaching a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Omar Bridges, 32, of East Orange was found guilty by an Essex County jury. Bridges was found guilty of attempted murder, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property and multiple weapons offenses. In a separate proceeding, Bridges was also found guilty of being a convicted felon carrying…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that John Staten, 32, of Orange plead guilty yesterday to aggravated manslaughter and weapons offenses for killing 27-year-old Arthur Downey, III, at his Maplewood home. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Staten will be sentenced to 18 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Al-Quadir Williford, 17, of Newark for first degree murder and two second degree weapons possession charges in the death of Dechania Edwards, 23, of Newark. On August 29, 2011, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Edwards was shot in the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Rasheed Bush, 19, of Newark for first degree murder and two second degree weapons possession charges in the death of 19-year-old Daniel Rivera of Newark. At approximately 2:15 a.m. on September 2, 2011, Rivera was shot multiple times…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Michael Gilyard, 33, of East Orange has been indicted in connection with the death of Fred Atterberry, 45, of East Orange. An Essex County Grand Jury returned a three-count indictment charging Gilyard with leaving the scene of an accident, causing a death while driving with…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Alberto Nunez, 20, of West Orange for first degree aggravated manslaughter, second degree vehicular homicide, second degree aggravated assault, and fourth degree aggravated assault by automobile in the death of 18-year-old Adreana B. Nelson of West Orange. At…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Elijah Sumler, 31, of Newark was sentenced by Honorable Peter Ryan, J.S.C., to 15 years for second degree conspiracy to commit robbery and a weapons offense. Second degree offenses ordinarily carry a 5 to 10 year sentence but Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab argued for an…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Arson Squad arrested John M. McLachlan, 47, of Brick Township for setting a truck on fire in Newark. McLachlan is charged with second degree aggravated arson, third degree burglary and third degree criminal mischief for torching a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Edelbarto Padilla, 35, of Highland Park for the murder of Carlos Manuel Freitas, 27, of Newark following a six-day trial before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C. In addition to murder, Padilla was also found guilty of two weapons offenses.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that the Essex County Prosecutors Office Financial Crimes Unit arrested Sylvia Sexius, 46, of Orange today for carrying out a scheme to defraud a Newark woman. Sexius was charged with 2nd degree Theft by Deception, 4th degree Forgery and 3rd degree Theft by Unlawful Taking. It is…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced Nirell Logan, 26, of Irvington was sentenced today by the Honorable Judge Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison for first degree carjacking and second degree conspiracy to commit robbery and/or burglary. “We argued for an extended-term sentence given the violent nature…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, an annual observance recognizing crime victims and those who serve them. President Barack Obama has designated April 22 to April 28, 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The theme for this year’s national…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, Livingston Police Chief Craig Handschuch and the Toronto Police Services announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and the Livingston Police Department are actively investigating a case involving 12-year-old girl who was threatened and sexually abused by an adult male who initially posed as…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Orange Police Director John Rappaport announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Orange Police Department have made three arrests in connection with two homicides in Orange. Raymond White, 26, of Newark was arrested for the murder of Hameek Thomas, 18,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet announced today that Ania Marcinkiewicz, 35, of Cedar Grove was arrested on Tuesday and charged with one count of 2nd degree aggravated assault and two counts of 2nd degree endangering the welfare of a child. It is alleged that Marcinkiewicz assaulted…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury indicted Khalid Khan, 43, of Bloomfield for the murder of his estranged wife Shazmina Khan, 31, of Montclair. The indictment alleges Ms. Khan was fatally stabbed in her Montclair home on July 3, 2011. The four-count indictment also charges the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Thomas Moore, J.S.C. sentenced Juquan Walker, 24, of Irvington to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday for possessing cocaine, possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, weapons offenses and resisting arrest. Walker, who has two prior felony convictions and was on probation…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that the Honorable Joseph A. Portelli, J.S.C., today sentenced James Perry, 24, of East Orange to 40 years in New Jersey State Prison for killing a mother and her son while speeding in a stolen car. Perry must serve 30 years before he will be eligible for…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Joseph Mastriani, 32, of Bloomfield was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C., for his role in a criminal scheme to smuggle drugs, cell phones and other contraband into the Essex County Correctional Facility. “When a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Parsippany restaurant owner Spyridon Gizas, 53, was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison today by the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C. for his role in a credit card fraud scheme. “Even though I argued for a longer sentence, I am satisfied with…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will hold its first youth conference to address issues of particular significance to teenage males on Friday, March 23, 2012. More than 200 male students from various high schools in Essex County are expected to attend the “From Boys to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jose Carranza, 32, of Newark was sentenced today to 155 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C. for his role in a triple murder at Mount Vernon schoolyard in Newark. Assistant Prosecutor Romesh Sukhdeo, who tried the case, said,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Orange Police Director John E. Rappaport announced today that 25 individuals involved in street level drug distribution have been charged as part of a joint operation with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Orange Police Department. The four-month long investigation dubbed “Operation Clean Sweep’’ ended this past…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino announced today that Dwayne Flourney, 26, of Maplewood has been arrested and charged with murdering his father and grandmother. The victims are Sandra Flourney, 76, a retired school teacher, and Brian Flourney, 52, an investigator employed by the Union County Public Defender’s…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Barbara Queen, 75, a retired West Orange school teacher currently living in East Hanover, has been charged with first degree financial facilitation and theft for her role in a scheme to sell fraudulent stock. On Feb. 10, of this year, Queen was charged with engaging…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that detectives from the Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force are attempting to determine the identity of a person who washed ashore on the South bank of the Passaic River adjacent to the exit…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that Newark Police and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force arrested Garrett Bryant, 38, of Newark for the murder of Al-Kareem Dunell, 33, of Irvington. “I applaud the tireless efforts of the members of the Newark Police…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Nirell Logan, 26, of Irvington of first degree carjacking and second degree conspiracy to commit robbery and/or burglary. In a case tried before the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., the jury deliberated for two days before returning a verdict late…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio are reporting two separate fatalities in the City of Newark : The first was a single car crash on Route 21 northbound by the Grafton Avenue exit at 9:30 pm on Saturday, Feb 25, 2012 . A Toyota being driven by a 21…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Kyron Washington, 24, of Newark for the murder of Arlene Fields, 42, of East Orange. The Grand Jury returned a five-count indictment charging Washington with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree unlawful possession of a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Forrest Thomas, 45, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Carol Spratt, his mother-in-law. An ailing, 76-year-old woman who was on oxygen 24 hours a day, Spratt relied on Thomas to take care of her. Thomas was convicted of murdering…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jose Carranza, 32, of Newark was found guilty by an Essex County jury of three counts of felony murder and four counts of first degree armed robbery. He was acquitted of three counts of murder, sexual assault, one count of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Ahmad Taylor, 21, of Newark of passion/provocation manslaughter for killing a Newark man in a dispute over Nicki Minaj CDs. On Jan. 16, 2011 Amir McLean, 19, of Newark was fatally shot when he and Taylor got into an argument…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Barbara Queen, 75, of East Hanover has been charged with second degree theft by deception and second degree financial facilitation for her role in a scheme to sell fraudulent stock. It is alleged that she worked with William C. Martucci, 69, of Millburn. Martucci was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray stated today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has not filed charges against the two students who were involved in an incident that ended with the death of Gian Davis, 30, of Newark. The investigation remains active and ongoing but the preliminary results indicate the two Essex County college…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that Andre DeMelo, 29, of Newark was arrested today by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography. A search warrant was executed at his apartment…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office takes a proactive approach to crime prevention. In doing so, we have created the Community Justice Unit. This Unit is dedicated to creating and putting forth programs aimed at providing children and adolescents with positive alternatives and strategies to prevent delinquency. The Community Justice Unit holds a five week summer…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced an Irvington man who kidnapped and attempted to murder his girlfriend was sentenced today to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C. Judge Ryan sentenced 42-year-old Michelet Glaude to 25 years. He must serve 21 years before he is eligible…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted James Perry, 24, of Newark of 11 counts, including manslaughter by eluding, in connection with the death of Joselin Lizardo, 34, and her 10-year-old son, Aneudy Breton, both of Newark. Ms. Lizardo was running errands just blocks from her home…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Victor Sanchez, 28, of Newark pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of Felix Torres-Diaz, 43, of Venezuela. According to Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Gran, who handled the case, the victim and Sanchez got into an altercation. On Oct. 17, 2009 Sanchez returned…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William Robinson announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the East Orange Police are investigating the homicide of Lisa Lango, 45, of East Orange. Ms. Lango was discovered at her home at approximately 8 a.m. in the 200…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Yvonne Walker, 45, for the murder and robbery of 88-year-old Cassetta Blunt. The grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging Walker with murder, felony murder, robbery, unlawful possession of a knife and possession of a knife for an…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that a 16-year-old juvenile and 18-year-old Isiah Adams, both of Newark, have been arrested for the robbery and murder of Miguel Torres, 37, also of Newark. Mr. Torres, the owner of JNC Mini Mart located at 346 14th Avenue in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio are asking for help from the public in apprehending the two suspects wanted for the murder of Miguel A. Torres, 37, of Newark. Mr. Torres, the owner of the JNC Mini Mart, located at 346 14th Avenue in Newark, was shot at…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced Isaiah Wise, 53, of Newark was sentenced today to seven years in New Jersey state prison by the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., for stealing nearly $1 million from Saint Barnabas Long Term Care Division. Wise, former manager of the billing office at Saint Barnabas, set up…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that William C. Martucci, 69, of Millburn was arrested today and charged with 2nd degree Theft by Deception and 2nd Degree Financial Facilitation. It is alleged that between 2004 and 2007, Martucci induced a California man to invest $100,000 in fraudulent stock. Martucci removed the $100,000…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and Newark Police have made an arrest in connection with the death of Alexis Robinson, a 29-month-old baby girl. The baby girl was transported from her home in the 500…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Newark Police Department are investigating the fatal shooting of a two-year-old boy. The child has been identified at Mikhy Robinson. Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio said, “I am…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Shahid Baskerville, 20, of Morristown pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery, one count of conspiracy and one count of aggravated criminal sexual contact in connection with the Aug. 4, 2007 triple murder of three college students at the Mount Vernon School in Newark. Under…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that two Newark women were sentenced to state prison time for attempting to kill another woman. Christiana Ortiz, 28, of Newark was sentenced to 10 years in state prison for attempting to kill her ex-girlfriend. Co-defendant Emilyn Flores, 27, also of Newark, was sentenced to three…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that on Friday, Dec. 16, an Essex County jury convicted Forrest Thomas, 44, of Newark of murdering his mother-in-law Carol Spratt, 76, also of Newark. A frail, ailing woman who was on oxygen 24 hours a day, Spratt relied on Thomas to take care of her. Yesterday,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Parsippany restaurant owner Spyridon Gizas, 52, of 10 ten counts for his role in a credit card fraud scheme. The jury deliberated for an hour before finding, Gizas, the owner of Harold’s Deli in Parsippany, guilty of two counts of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a North Carolina man was convicted of breaking into an Irvington apartment, hogtying and sexually assaulting two women over four hours. An Essex County jury convicted Anthony Massenburg, 40, of Louisburg, N.C. of 14 counts, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, sexual assault, criminal restraint, terroristic…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William Robinson announced today that Kasia N. Rivera, 34, of East Orange was arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Justin Street, 22, of East Orange. On May 5, 2011 Mr. Street went to Rivera’s home in the 300…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a three-judge panel of the Appellate Division of Superior Court has upheld the conviction of former East Orange Detective Norman Price, 53, and his wife, Natasha McRae, 40, both of Bedminster. Price and his wife were found guilty of setting up “shell” or “dummy” corporations,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, the ECPO Arson Unit and the Newark Fire Department are actively investigating a fatal fire in the city of Newark. The victim has been identified as Sharon Horne, 44, of Newark. Ms. Horne lived in the home…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, working with the Newark Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF) arrested six individuals for running an illegal gun distribution network in the City of Newark. The arrests were made over several days following a three-month…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C., sentenced Alquan White, 26, of Newark to 75 years in state prison for the murder of Bryon Lockett, 42, of Newark and the aggravated assault of Latiff McCleod, 36, of Irvington. White must serve 59 years before he is…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the death of Lilia Roman, a four-week-old baby girl. Emergency medical workers responded to a call of a non-responsive baby girl at the Belleville home of the parents on Nov, 15. The baby was transported…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today 88 volunteers from across Essex County will gather tonight for a 13-week domestic violence training program. “While the primary function of the Prosecutor’s Office is to prosecute those who commit crime, prevention of crime is just as important,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray. “There are many families…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury indicted Kisha Curtis, 27, of Albany, N.Y. on one count of animal cruelty. On March 16, the dog named “Patrick” was found in a plastic bag at the bottom of the garage chute of a Newark apartment building. Today, an…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced two defendants pleaded guilty today to participating in a criminal scheme to smuggle drugs and contraband in to the Essex County Correctional Facility. Former Essex County Corrections Officer Joseph Mastriani, 31, of Bloomfield pleaded guilty to one count of second degree official misconduct. Mastriani, who had been…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Michelet Glaude, 42, of Irvington of attempted murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, terroristic threats and unlawful taking of a means of a conveyance. The victim was a 26-year-old woman who had previously dated Glaude. “This was a horrific crime.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that David Seeley, 50, of Washington Township (Hunterdon County), N.J. was struck and killed today while working outside of Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark. At approximately 10:27 a.m. a 70-year-old Newark man struck Seeley and two other men, who…
The man charged with the murder of Silvia M. Paucar, 37, of Newark is scheduled to make his first court appearance tomorrow before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez at approximately 9 a.m. Roberto Ortiz, 32, of Newark is charged with killing Paucar on Nov. 9. Her body was found in a car in the 100…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of Dehaven Chatman, 19, of Newark. Yesterday afternoon Chatman was found in front of 20 14th Avenue in Newark with a gunshot wound at approximately…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task has obtained a warrant for the arrest of Lawrence A. Williams, 19, of Newark. Williams is charged with the murder of David T. Collier, 38, of Newark. Collier was fatally stabbed…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jerrod Little, 29, of Newark has been sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin for attacking three girls in East Orange. On March 20, 2009 Little attempted to kidnap an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old in East Orange.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is actively investigating the murder of 17-year old Kamara Ingram of Irvington. Ingram was shot at approximately 9:45 pm yesterday while sitting on the porch of a residence in the…
Tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 2:30 to 4:30 PM) the Essex County Family Justice Center, a partnership between multiple agencies that assist victims of domestic violence, will officially open its new location at 89 Market Street in Newark. Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray will be among those…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jerold Wise, 28, of Newark was sentenced today by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli to life in prison for the murder of Curtis Johnson, 22, also of Newark. Wise must serve a minimum of 35 years before he is eligible for parole. On Sept. 8,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Travis Hartsfield, Jr., 25, of Newark has been indicted for the murder of his 20-month old daughter, Asiyah Hartsfield. It is alleged that on March 15, 2011, while caring for his daughter, the father repeatedly punched the child in the head and the torso, causing…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Mary Hardaway, 38, of Newark has been charged with filing a false police report after she falsely reported her vehicle had been carjacked. On Sept. 30, Hardaway reported her 2002 Nissan Murano had been carjacked in the vicinity of Springfield and South 12th Street in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Sharmir Modestin, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y. was charged yesterday with impersonating a police officer, kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 27-year-old female exotic dancer in Irvington. The victim was kidnapped in Newark and driven to Irvington where she was sexually assaulted by two men on July…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Michael Handy, 30, of the Bronx was sentenced to 15 years in state prison by the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., for fatally stabbing Darrick Farmer, 40, of Newark. On July 23, 2010, the two friends were in the lobby of Cameo, a Newark adult…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that Saleem Wright, 25, of Irvington was sentenced today to six years in state prison by the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., for the fatal hit and run of 5-year-old Julianne Vega. On July 22, 2010 the little girl was struck and killed by Wright, who was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force arrested Luis Cruz, age 42, of Nutley and charged him in connection with the 9/17/11 hit and run death of Jodi DeSoto, 48, of Belleville. DeSoto is the widow of the…
Royce Dedeaux, 24, who was arrested on Sept. 20, for carjacking an off-duty Newark Police Lieutenant, has been charged in a second carjacking. The victim of a carjacking on Summer and 3rd Avenues identified Dedeaux as the armed man who carjacked him for his 2011 Jaguar. The incident occurred several hours prior to the carjacking…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that detectives with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards/Bias Crimes Unit arrested Douglas Brown, 36, Newark. Assistant Prosecutor Portia Downing authorized harassment, bias intimidation and criminal mischief charges against Brown. In May of 2011 Brown began harassing his former neighbors, a homosexual couple living on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’ Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force arrested Emanuel Alvarado, 26, of Belleville, and charged him with filing a false police report. On Sept. 17, at approximately 3:00 am, Alvarado reported to the Newark Police that he…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department are investigating a police-involved shooting. The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1:13 AM today an off-duty Newark Police Officer was stopped at a red light in his personal…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Theodore Melhorn, 63, of Livingston was arrested on Thursday night for possessing child pornography. Melhorn, who owns S.A.A.F.E Alarm, a security alarm company in Livingston, inadvertently left a notebook at a customer’s home containing pornographic photographs of young males between the ages of 12 to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned an 11-count indictment charging Marcus Bascus, 20, and Nicholas Welch, 26, with the murder of Seton Hall University student Jessica Moore. Moore, 19, of Disputanta, Va., was fatally shot at an off-campus party in East Orange. After being…
Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino is seeking the public’s assistance in apprehending Larry B. Mote, 43, of Newark. Mote is charged with the murder of Michael Gayton, 26, of Orange. Gayton was shot multiple times and killed in Newark on Saturday, Sept. 10 when he intervened in a dispute between Mote and a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Richard Smith, 39, of East Orange was sentenced to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of Charles David Mathis, 24, of Newark. Mathis was fatally stabbed on Dec. 18, 2006 at St. John’s Masonic Lodge located at 428 Central Ave in…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that two people were shot and killed in Newark overnight. Dechania Edwards, 23, of Newark was fatally shot in the vicinity of 176-178 12th Avenue at approximately 11:16 last night. Police responding to the scene discovered the victim on the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Kelly Whitney, a former Seton Hall University basketball player, pleaded guilty today to the 2010 home invasion burglary of an off-campus residence in South Orange occupied by Seton Hall University students. Whitney, 28, of Chicago pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal restraint, and conspiracy to commit…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today a Hudson County Corrections officer shot and killed an escaped prisoner who was being transported to East Orange General Hospital for treatment. The shooting is being investigated by the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The preliminary investigation indicates that Robert K. Martin,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that Maurice Mosley, 19, of Newark was arrested at 10:55 a.m. today for the murder of Douglas Brown, 29, also of Newark. On July 16, 2011 at approximately 5:30 a.m. Brown was fatally shot during a robbery at Orange and…
At 1:40 A.M. today, Anthony Davis, 19 was shot at 9-15 Fabyan Place. He succumb to his injuries at 3:48 A.M. at University Hospital. Also today, at 2:30 A.M., Newark Police responded to a shots-fired report at 221-223 Eastern Parkway. When the Police arrived, they found Frederick Smith, 24, of Newark shot multiple times. Smith…
At about 2 A.M. this morning two males were killed in a collision after they collided into another vehicle at 15th Avenue and Bergen Street said, Acting Prosecutor Carolyn Murray. One of the occupants killed was identified as Zafir Abdul Rahman, 24 of East Orange; the second occupant (passenger) has been identified as Qaadir King…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today the suspect in the Monday, Aug. 15, police-involved shooting in Newark has been identified as Adrian Facto, age 44. At the time of the shooting, he was living in a homeless shelter in Newark. He previously lived in Wall Township.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today a 15-year-old Irvington juvenile has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child in connection with injuries sustained by his girlfriend’s 11-month old baby girl. The mother of child, Crystal Spearman, 19, also of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Suamy Ortiz, 24, of Newark died in a fatal collision on Route I-280 and First Street in the City of Newark at approximately 1:09 AM today. Following an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Michael J. Hocutt, 44, of Maplewood was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Juan Gonzalez, 47, of Newark of second degree sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman. The victim was a house guest at Gonzalez’s home in Newark when she was sexually assaulted on Aug. 1, 2010. She was asleep on a downstairs…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Acting Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that a $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Dawn Reddick, a 29-year-old Charlottesville, Va., school teacher fatally shot in Newark on Friday,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury has convicted Kevin Lloyd, 42, of Newark of attempted murder, aggravated assault and two weapons offenses. “With an appalling disregard for the lives of others, Kevin Lloyd repeatedly fired a large-caliber handgun in a crowded parking lot full of women and young…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted two defendants of drug possession and distribution. Quarwee Walker, 32, of Spotswood and Brian Witherspoon, 27, of Orange were found guilty of selling crack cocaine on multiple occasions at 231 North Clinton Street in East Orange. “Good police work by…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, Newark Police Fugitive Apprehension Team and FBI Fugitive Task Force arrested Farad Green, 33, of Newark, for the murder of Latisha Brown. Brown, 26, of East Orange was shot late…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Melvin Powell, 51, of Roselle was charged one count of making a false report to law enforcement. On July 17, 2011 Powell reported that he was carjacked at the intersection of Chancellor and Aldine Street in Newark. He told authorities that two black males struck…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Estol Molina, 43, of Newark has been indicted for the murder of Erica Ortiz-Fuentes. Ms. Ortiz-Fuentes was fatally stabbed at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2010 on St. Francis Street, near the Newark preschool where she worked as a teacher’s aide. She was on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Alameen Adams, 21, of Newark was sentenced to 35 years in state prison for the March 24, 2010 murder of Ian Morris, 34, of East Orange. Morris was shot in the head and killed in the stairwell of his South Harrison Street apartment during a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Thomas J. Miller, 23, of Cedar Grove in connection with an online car selling scam in which he ensnarled nearly a dozen buyers from Pennsylvania, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois and Canada. Posing as an automobile wholesaler, Miller duped…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington Police Director Joseph Santiago have identified the victims in yesterday’s double homicide in Irvington as: 1. Shanser Singh, age 24; 2.Satnam Singh, age 38. Autopsies performed today indicate that both victims died from stab wounds, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Homicide…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington Police Director Joseph Santiago have announced that the Essex County Homicide Task Force is investigating an apparent double homicide in Irvington today. Irvington police responded, shortly after 12:00 pm this afternoon, to a two family residence in the 600 block of Chancellor Avenue and discovered two…
A male in his late twenties was shot and killed in an early morning shooting in the area of 34-36 Gray Street, Newark, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Acting Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio. Newark police responded to the above area, after 5:00 am on reports of shots fired,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has obtained warrants for the arrest of Troy R. Rose, 26, of Newark. Rose, who remains at large, is wanted for the murder of Shawn Miller, 20, of Newark. In addition to murder, Rose is charged unlawful possession of a weapon…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted two men of multiple charges in connection with a carjacking, shooting, and ten-mile chase through Newark, Jersey City and Kearny. Following a jury trial before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Emmanuel Pierrevil, 34, of Plainfield was found guilty of ten…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Orlando Barrett, 34, of Orange, who was shot on June 4 in the 100 block of Main Street in Orange, died from his injuries this morning at University Hospital. Barrett had been hospitalized since the June 4 shooting. Kareem Norman, 23, of East Orange and Asher…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today a suspect wanted for questioning in connection with the fatal shooting of a corrections officer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound today. Allen Barron, 21, was wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of Katrina Owens, a 37-year-old corrections officer from the Monmouth Junction section…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is actively investigating three fatal shootings. There were four shootings in Newark this morning. Three were fatal. In addition, two people were shot in Irvington, but survived. The dead have been identified as Shawn Miller, 20, of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is actively investigating the fatal shooting of Katrina Owens, a 37-year-old corrections officer from the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. Owens was attending a barbeque with a male friend in the Newark/East Orange area when a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury declined to bring any charges against Sheriff’s Officer Edward Esposito, 30, in connection with the shooting death of Atlanta businessman DeFarra Ivan Gaymon, 48. On July 16, 2010 at approximately 6 p.m. Gaymon was fatally shot in Branch Brook Park…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that two people were killed in fatal motor vehicle incidents in Newark over the weekend. “The number of pedestrians and motorists on our streets is increasing everyday; it is critical that we take proactive measures to prevent and reduce tragedies like these on our roadways. We…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury convicted Phillip Holden, 40, of Newark of murdering Karen Cunningham, 55, also of Newark. Mrs. Cunningham had gone to the store to buy a bag of potato chips. She was stepping into her car when she was caught in the crossfire. She…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a man opened fire on his girlfriend in East Orange, killing her in the apartment they shared, and then turned the gun on himself committing suicide. Last night East Orange Police responded to 377 North Grove Street on a report of a shooting. When they…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Rajeem Scott, 20, of East Orange has been arrested for filing a false police report. It is alleged Scott falsely reported to the Newark Police Department that he was a victim of a carjacking two days ago. He reported his carjacked at knife point of his…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Anthony Rogers, 22, of Newark died today. Rogers was shot multiple times on May 31 in Newark in the vicinity of 89 Littleton Avenue. He was transported to University Hospital where he remained until today when he was pronounced dead at 10:30 a.m. The Essex County…
Yvonne Walker, the 45-year-old Irvington woman charged with the murder of 88-year-old Casetta Blunt, is scheduled to be arraigned today – Tuesday, June 21, before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C. at 9 a.m. Members of the press interested in bringing cameras into the court room must contact the Trial Court Administrator’s Office at 973-693-5701.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, joined by Attorney General Paula T. Dow and other Essex County law enforcement officials, announced today the creation of a county-wide Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force. The Task Force will be made up of a total of 29 officers from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Alrashim Chambers, 24, of Newark with the September 12, 2010 murder of Victoria Carmen White, 28, of Newark. In addition to murder, Chambers was indicted on count of bias intimidation and two weapons offenses arising from his…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Sharonda Wilson, 32, of Irvington with the September 30, 2010 death of Erik Stubblefield, 38, of Willingboro. Wilson was indicted on murder charges for fatally stabbing Stubblefield at her home. Wilson was also indicted on two weapons…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot in the 300 block of South Orange Avenue in Newark late last night. At approximately 11:30 PM police responded to a report of shots fired. The victim, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, has been identified as Dante Young, 13,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Professional Standards Bureau, along with the Irvington Police Department Internal Affairs Unit, are investigating a police involved shooting of a 15-year-old Newark juvenile. The non-fatal shooting occurred in Irvington. The preliminary investigation indicates that at…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Yvonne Walker, age 45 from Irvington, has been arrested for the murder of 88-year-old Casetta Blunt. The elderly woman was fatally stabbed multiples times in her home on Campfield Street in Irvington by Walker who regularly came to the home to do chores. Acting Prosecutor…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the preliminary autopsy results indicate 88-year-old Casetta Blunt was fatally stabbed in her Irvington home. At approximately 12:25 AM Irvington Police responded to the home, located at 18-20 Campfield Street, after receiving a report of an elderly woman found unconscious. The victim was pronounced dead…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a Linden man sustained fatal injuries in a motor vehicle collision in the vicinity of Route 1 and 9 in Newark. The victim has been identified as Marcin Kotowski, 21, of Linden. The collision occurred at approximately 1:08 am. Kotowski and three other individuals were…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a 20-year-old Orange man was shot and killed. The victim has been identified at Anthony Williams, 20, of Orange. He was fatally shot on the corner of Pierson and Hickory at approximately 11:36 p.m. He was transported to University Hospital in Newark. He was pronounced…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an 88-year-old Irvington woman was killed in her home. The victim has been identified as Casetta Blunt, 88, of Campfield Street. She was discovered in her home shortly after midnight and pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death is pending autopsy. Next of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County grand jury returned a 37-count indictment charging Anwar Crockett, 31, and Ali Karim, 30, both of Elizabeth with murder, felony murder, carjacking, robbery, arson, eluding and multiple drug and weapons charges. Both men were charged with murdering Reginald Wilson, 27, of Elizabeth and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Howard Grant, 22, of Newark with the December 6, 2010 death of Sebastian Williams, 24, also of Newark. Grant was indicted on aggravated manslaughter charges for fatally stabbing Williams. Grant was also indicted on two weapons offenses.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an indictment was returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging defendant John Staten, 32, of Orange with the March 14, 2010 murder of Arthur S. Downey, III. Staten and Downey, 27, met in a chat room and then arranged to meet in person. Downey was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury has convicted Alameen Adams, 21, of Newark of murdering Ian Morris, 34, of East Orange. The murder occurred in East Orange. On March 24, 2010 Morris was shot in the head and robbed of marijuana in the stairwell of his South Harrison…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Julio C. Gomezmarte, 45, of East Orange was arrested without incident at his home this morning and charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. At approximately 6:05 am detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and East Orange Police…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Cesar Clausett-Soto, 29, of Newark was arrested at approximately 8 a.m. this morning for the murder of Johnny Nazario, 23, of Kearny. Nazario was fatally shot in the early morning hours of May 28, on Highland Avenue in Newark. Newark Police and investigators from the Essex…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department are investigating the fatal shooting of an off-duty Newark Police officer. The officer, William Johnson, 45, of Newark is a 16-year veteran of the Newark Police Department. He was assigned to the Communications Division at 311…
Acting Prosecutor Carolyn Murray has announced that the cause of death of an 8 year old Irvington child was found to be homicide. The child’s mother Venette Ovilde, 30 and friend Myriam Janvier, 23 both of Irvington, have been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The mother has been additionally charged with Aggravated…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Alexander Alfaro, 20, of Newark to 212 years in New Jersey state prison. “The sentencing of defendant Alfaro is an important milestone in bringing this case to a just conclusion. We look forward to meeting…
Re: Sentencing in State v. Alexander Alfaro The third defendant in the Newark School yard triple murder case, Alexander Alfaro, 20, of Newark is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow – Thursday, May 19, 2011 – by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. Judge Ravin’s courtroom is located at…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an officer employed by the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center has been charged with one count of aggravated assault. Steven McMillon, 30, of Orange has been charged with assaulting a 17-year-old male resident of the facility. The Essex County Detention Center Internal Affairs Unit referred…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today additional charges have been filed against Bianca Young, 24, of Newark in connection with the death of her 5-year-old daughter, Charlize Young. Late today Bianca Young was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The charges have to do with conduct leading…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the two defendants charged with murdering Robert Foster Nevius, a 91-year-old Essex Fells man, have entered not guilty pleas. Shaun Woodson, 25, of East Orange entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment today. Reginald Anthony, 29, also of East Orange entered a not guilty plea…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray will be the keynote speaker on Friday, May 13, 2011, when the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office hosts its fifteenth “World Against Violence” Youth Conference (WAV #15): “No More Bullying!” for approximately 500 students from middle schools located in Newark, Irvington, East Orange, South Orange, Maplewood and Livingston. The…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the arrest of Evan George, 59, of Essex Fells for possession of child pornography. A search warrant was executed at George’s home on May 9 by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit, the FBI, the Essex Fells Police, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Bianca K. Young, 24, had been charged with the murder of her daughter 5-year-old Charlize Young. The Honorable Joseph Cassini, 3rd, signed a warrant late today charging Young with murdering her daughter. The mother was taken into custody soon after the daughter’s death. Bail has been…
Two people were killed in an overnight motor vehicle collision on Route 1 and 9 in Newark. The victims have been identified as Pingai Liwu of San Francisco and Gustavo Cunha, 23, of Elizabeth. Mr. Cunha was a back seat passenger in a Mazda. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Liwu, also a…
The death of a 5-year-old is being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department. Police and emergency medical personnel responded to 5 Esther Street in Newark after receiving a 911 call last night. The child, identified as Charlize Young, 5, was transported by emergency medical personnel to University Hospital late…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Keevin David, 19, of Springfield has been arrested for the Jan. 25, 2011 murder of Tyrell Coleman, 18, of Orange. Coleman died from multiple gunshot wounds. Around noon time on Jan. 25, 2011, he was found in the lobby of his apartment building located at 208…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Omar Solomon, 24, of Elizabeth with the July 12, 2010 murder of Leon Truesdale. Truesdale, 30, of Newark was shot multiple times around 4:45 am in the 100 block of Newton Street in Newark. Newark Police…
Acting Essex Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has joined the investigation of an assault on a resident of a Newark boarding home. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit is now handling the investigation. A 64-year-old woman, whose name is not being released at this time, was allegedly…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that approximately 50 Bloomfield College students will visit the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Bureau tomorrow, Tuesday, May 3, starting at 2:30 p.m. for a mock crime scene investigation. Reporters are welcome to cover the event. The Crime Scene Bureau is located at 530 Thomas Blvd.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County grand jury indicted Amir Johnson, 18, for the murder of Luz Hernandez, a 69-year-old Orange grandmother. A five-count indictment returned today charges Johnson with the Oct. 22, 2010 murder of Ms. Hernandez. He was also indicted on felony murder, burglary, robbery and receiving…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department are investigating a homicide this morning in Newark. The victim has been identified as Leonard Johnson, 33, of East Orange. Johnson was fatally shot at approximately 1:51 a.m. in the 500 block of Orange Street. He was rushed to University Hospital where he was pronounced…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury convicted Dr. Raymond Russomanno, 67, of Randolph on four counts of criminal sexual contact on a 27-year-old female patient who came to the doctor’s Bloomfield office complaining of back pain. The jury found the doctor not guilty on two counts of attempted…
The County Prosecutors Association of the State of New Jersey, Inc., announced the availability of the Oscar W. Rittenhouse, Andrew K, Ruotolo, Jr., Harris Y. Cotton and the John H. Stamler Memorial Scholarships. The County Prosecutors Association of the State of New Jersey, Inc., is a 501 (c) 3 Corporation, Scholarship Committee, a nonprofit corporation,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Kyron Washington, 23, of Newark has been arrested and charged with the murder of Arlene Fields, 42, of East Orange. Fields was fatally shot on Thursday night at 799 Broad Street in Newark, approximately 500 feet from Branford Place. A 31-year-old Newark man was also…
A double shooting at 799 Broad Street in Newark, approximately 500 feet from Branford Place, is being investigated by the Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. One person died and the other was injured, but survived. The dead woman has been identified as Arlene Fields, 42, of East Orange. The surviving victim…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury convicted Rolando Terrell, 39, of Newark on robbery, conspiracy and weapons charges. The jury deadlocked on four counts of murder, four counts of felony murder and arson. “We believe the jurors’ findings on the guilty counts are appropriate,’’ said Acting Essex County…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted two men for the April 2010 murder of 91-year-old Robert Foster Nevius of Essex Fells. The nine-count indictment, made public today, charges Reginald Anthony, 29, and Shaun Woodson, 25, both of East Orange, with murder, felony murder, burglary, robbery,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and local police agencies in the county will be participating in a four-state “Secure the Cities’’ drill in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the New Jersey State Police. The exercise started today and will end on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today graduation ceremonies for the first class of the Clergy-Citizen Academy will take place on Wednesday, April 6 at 6 p.m. on the 14th Floor of the Leroy Smith Building, located at 60 Nelson Place, behind the Essex County courthouse. Members of the press are welcome to…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced today, April 5, 2011, that pending criminal charges against Jordan Theodore have been dismissed. Theodore, a basketball player at Seton Hall University, had been accused of displaying a handgun during an on-campus altercation on Feb. 15, 2011. A criminal complaint had been filed by a citizen and forwarded to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury convicted Alexander Alfaro, 20, of Newark of murder, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy and weapons charges in connection with the August 2007 triple homicide at the Mount Vernon school yard in Newark. In all, the jury convicted Alfaro on 16 of 17 counts.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Kisha C. Curtis, 27, of Newark has been charged in municipal court with animal abuse for leaving her one-year-old pit bull unattended at the Garden Spires apartment complex in Newark. The emaciated dog, named “Patrick” by caretakers because he was discovered the day before St. Patrick’s…
On Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at approximately 9 a.m. closing arguments are scheduled in State v. Alexander Alfaro before the Honorable Michael A. Ravin, J.S.C. at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse, Newark, NJ, court room 1104. Alfaro, 20, of Newark is on trial for the Aug. 4, 2007 triple homicide at the Mount Vernon school…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Gene L. Muldrow, 35, of Jersey City has been charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide and driving while his license was suspended – a 3rd degree crime. Muldrow struck and killed Mohammad R. Akhtar, 60, Avenel. The fatal collision occurred earlier this morning in the…
On Friday, March 25, 2011, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will host its first female only youth conference in recognition of Women’s History Month. Over 250 high school students from Newark, Montclair, Irvington, Maplewood, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Nutley, South Orange and East Orange are expected to attend the “Being Inspired & Empowered” youth conference. The goal…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today Eusebio Jacome, a 51 year-old Honduran living in Newark, was arrested for the murder of Miradaliza DeJesus Jimenez, 34, of also of Newark. Jacome has also been charged with two weapons offenses for allegedly unlawfully using a weapon (a hammer) to carry out the murder. He…
Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an indictment was returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging Frederick Pieters, 53, of Newark with the murder of his wife, Yvette Pieters. Mrs. Pieters was fatally stabbed on Aug. 5, 2010 at her home in Newark. The indictment charges the defendant will killing his wife.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the arrest of Travis Hartsfield, 24, of Newark for the murder of his 20-month-old daughter, Asiyah Hartsfield. The defendant has been charged with one count of murder and is being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Bail was set at $750,000 by the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today the arrest of a 14-year-old Jersey City juvenile on terroristic threats and harassment charges for cyber bullying two 12-year-old Belleville boys. The juvenile, who used Facebook and the telephone to harass and threaten the victims, was charged with four counts of making terroristic threats and two…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Richard Smith, 39, of Newark of the murder of Charles David Mathis, 24, also of Newark. Smith was also convicted of two weapons charges. Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Handley said the murder occurred on Dec. 18, 2006 at the St. John’s…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a Maplewood accountant was arrested and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography. At approximately 6:30 a.m. a search warrant was executed at the home of Kenneth Mashel, 55, of Maplewood. Two computers were seized and Mashel was taken into custody and charged with…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a fatal hit and run. A 47-year-old Maplewood man was struck and killed while changing a flat tire in the area of Routes 1 & 9 South, near the Pulaski Skyway in Newark at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27. The victim has been identified as Douglas…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Robert Johnson, 45, a registered sex offenders under Megan’s Law, the state law which requires potentially dangerous sex offenders to register with law enforcement, was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a disabled 14-year-old girl at a Rutgers University Library in Newark. At the time…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Richard Konadu, 39, formerly of Irvington, has been returned to the United States to face trial for the murder of his wife. Konadu is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, March 3 at approximately 9 a.m. before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., at the…
On Tuesday, March 1, 2011 opening arguments are scheduled in State v. Alexander Alfaro before the Honorable Michael A. Ravin, J.S.C. at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse, Newark, NJ, court room 1104. Alfaro, 20, of Newark is scheduled to be tried in connection with the Aug. 4, 2007 triple homicide at the Mount Vernon school…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Jahmal McNeil, 32, of Irvington was convicted by an Essex County Jury of 2nd degree eluding. Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Borasio, who tried the case, said McNeil was arrested on June 23, 2010 by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office VIPER Unit at 3 a.m. in Irvington.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray today announced that Pierre Deneus, 50, of Irvington has been convicted by an Essex County jury of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl. The jury also convicted him of endangering the welfare of a minor, promoting prostitution, conspiracy to commit murder, witness tampering and hindering prosecution. He was found not…
The new Acting Essex County Prosecutor, Carolyn A. Murray, was sworn in today, Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m., at the Leroy Smith Public Safety Building, 14th Floor Conference Room. Acting Prosecutor Murray replaces Acting Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino, who was appointed by Attorney General Paula Dow (former Essex County Prosecutor) in January, 2010. Former…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Wilquan Williams, 33, of Irvington pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter for killing 20-year-old Rasheena McCray of Newark. At approximately 1 a.m. on March 1, 2008 McCray was standing in front of the Tremont Lounge, located in Newark, where she and others had gathered for a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today the arrests of a dozen individuals, including two members of the Crips gang, on drug and weapons charges. The two-day operation conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office VIPER Narcotics Gang Task Force, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and the Newark Police Department started yesterday and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Wordell Phelps, 37, of Newark was convicted by an Essex County jury of aggravated assault and weapons charges for attacking a 17-year-old Plainfield boy at McDonald’s in West Orange. In addition to the assault charge, Phelps was also convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Muhammad Ramseur, 25, of Newark pleaded guilty to carjacking a 65-year-old grandmother. When Ramseur is sentenced on March 16, he is expected to receive 15 years in New Jersey State Prison. In a case before the Honorable Joseph V. Isabella, J.S.C., Ramseur elected to plead…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C., sentenced Kareem Spence, 35, of South Plainfield to three years probation for insurance fraud. A former East Orange police officer, on Nov. 19, 2010 Spence entered a guilty plea to one count of 3rd degree insurance fraud. Citing the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Kenneth A. Duckett, 39, of Orange was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Monica Paul, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his two children. On June 26, 2008, Duckett walked into the Montclair YMCA, where scores of children were swimming and playing, and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the spike in violent carjackings in Essex County that surged during the holiday season of 2010 was largely caused by three separate groups of juveniles who appeared to attack motorists for sport. Acting Prosecutor Laurino announced today that his office will seek to prosecute these…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jamar Holmes, 31, of West Orange. Holmes is wanted for the stabbing death of Donald Andrews. Andrews, 40, of East Orange was fatally stabbed on New Year’s Day at a liquor store located at 81 Tremont Ave., Newark. Andrews was…
The death of Daniel Mejia, 23, of Newark has been determined to be a homicide. Mejia was found non-responsive in a parking lot on Honiss Street in Belleville on Tuesday, Jan. 4. at approximately 5:06 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Following an autopsy today, the cause of death has been determined to…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Belleville Police Department are investigating a suspicious death in Belleville, near the Newark border. At approximately 5:06 a.m. Belleville Police were dispatched to 2 Honiss Street in Belleville. When they arrived at the scene they found an unresponsive male in the parking lot. He was later identified as…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Carlos Rodriguez, 30, of Newark has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of Jennifer Riley, 26, of Newark. On New Year’s Day, Newark Police responded to a 6:30 a.m. 911 call at a home on Delavan Street in Newark. When they…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Kenneth Duckett, 39, of Orange was found guilty by an Essex County Jury. Duckett was convicted of murdering the mother of his two children, Monica Paul, 31, of Montclair. Duckett was also convicted of two weapons offenses. The trial began on Dec. 1. Assistant Prosecutors Rachel…
Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that six Essex County Correction’s Officers have been charged with assault on three different prisoners, between April and September of this year at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Some of the officers were charged with assaulting more than one victim. This was a joint investigation by the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that on December 17, 2010 an Essex County Grand Jury returned a three count indictment against Danielle Johnson, 27 of East Orange, for the April 12, 2010 murder of Andre Austin, 23 of East Orange. At approximately 3 a.m. on that date, Newark Police responded to a…
There has been an arrest in the homicide that occurred in the Vailsburg section of Newark last evening, whereby a 16-year old victim was fatally shot. Kristin Best, 18, of Newark, he has been charged with Aggravated Manslaughter, Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for unlawful purpose. These charges are mere accusations.…
Today, at 4:45P.M. An off duty Newark officer shot a suspect who tried to rob him at gunpoint on Poe Avenue, in the City of Newark. The suspect fled and was found at East Orange General Hospital with a bullet wound to the chest. He is listed in critical condition. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced the arrest of Jamal Abdul Silvera, 21, of 115 South Clinton Street, East Orange for Felony Murder in connection with the death of James Callaway, 63 of Maplewood. At 9:50 a.m. this morning, Silvera used physical force and carjacked a West Orange Township employee who was operating a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that East Orange Police pursued a vehicle into Irvington last night after observing a 2004 Honda Accord being driven erratically. At approximately 1050 P.M., officers observed the vehicle being driven erratically by a lone driver in the area of Cambridge Street. The driver, Robert Hayward, 39 of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Jeremy Rojas, 20, of Newark is wanted for the weekend murders of Geraldo Criado, 28, of Newark and Francisco Sierra, 20, of Newark. The two men were gunned down early Saturday morning in the Gurabo Social Club in Newark’s North Ward. Acting Prosecutor Laurino said…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Heather Kulzy, 27, of Nutley has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault after running her husband down last night at approximately 9:30 p.m. when the two got into an argument outside their home. Mrs. Kulzy was also charged with two weapons offenses. In this…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Luis A. Vazquez, 20, of Newark was arrested and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, specifically by distributing child pornography, a 2nd degree crime and by possessing child pornography, a 4th degree crime. Following the execution of a search warrant…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Ibn Muhammad, 25, of Newark was found guilty of murder by an Essex County jury for killing Jeffrey Christopher, 23, also of Newark. The jury also convicted Muhammad of one count of tampering with a witness by force and multiple weapons offenses. Assistant Prosecutor Naazneen Khan…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Keontrae Lawrence, 22, of South Orange plead guilty to 2nd degree aggravated arson today before the Honorable Joseph Cassini 3rd, Judge of the Superior Court. Assistant Prosecutor Michael Morris said the incident occurred on Feb. 10, 2009 at the location of 114 Eastern Parkway, Irvington.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Karen Marie Sosa, 44, of Belleville was sentenced to seven years in state prison for stealing $545,000 from Lynnes Nissan, where she worked in the accounting department. Appearing before the Honorable Ronald Wigler, Judge of the Superior Court, Sosa plead guilty to one count of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Chrissy Treamount, 30, and Ronald Piacenza, 40, both of Medford plead guilty to 3rd degree insurance fraud today before the Honorably Joseph Cassini, 3rd, Judge of the Superior Court. Assistant Prosecutor Michael Morris said the incident occurred on July 27, 2008 at 1010 18th Avenue…
On Friday, December 3, 2010, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will host its eleventh “World Against Violence” Youth Conference (WAV #14): “Learning to Succeed: Failure is not an Option” for 550 invited students from various Essex County high schools! The goal of the one-day summit is to engage high school students in a one day…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today the arraignments of two Essex County men who were indicted on charges arising from deadly fires in buildings that were allegedly illegally occupied. Eugene Alverna, 63, of West Orange was charged with two counts of second degree violation of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has obtained an arrest warrant charging Justin Hazel, 25, of East Orange with the stabbing murder of Floyd McLean, 39, of East Orange. Hazel was also charged with two weapons offenses – illegal possession of a weapon and possession of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a three-count indictment charging Anivia Cruz-Dilworth, 28, of New Brunswick with practicing medicine without a license. In March, six women showed up in the emergency rooms of Essex County area hospitals complaining of problems after having received buttocks-enhancement injections.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Kareem Spence, an East Orange Police officer, pleaded guilty today to insurance fraud before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, Judge of the Superior Court. Spence, 35, of South Plainfield had been an East Orange police officer for six years. In court today he admitted torching…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Abbijial Sloan, 42, of Newark of first degree murder for killing his wife, Nicole Sloan, 37, also of Newark. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning a verdict finding Sloan guilty of first degree murder, endangering the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that a husband and wife were hit by a BMW early this morning in Newark. Jose Goncalves, 52, of Union was struck and killed in the vicinity of Park Avenue and 7th Street in Newark. Mr. Goncalves was standing outside his lunch truck “Joe’s Café’’ with…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that David James Jackson, 27, of Newark has pleaded guilty to killing three people at a Newark social club. Jackson admitted killing Cynthia Corbett, 46, Jessie Young, 44, and Yusef Muhammad, who was 48 when he died three years after the Sept. 27, 2005 shooting. All…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Tysheed R. White, 18, of East Orange has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of James Gadie, 22, of Newark. Both men were inmates at the Essex County Correctional Facility. The preliminary investigation indicates the cellmates got into a fight yesterday…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the New Jersey Supreme Court denied the prosecutor’s motion for leave to appeal the ruling suppressing the statement given by Gerardo Gomez in connection with the August 2007 Newark school yard slaying case. Earlier this year a three-judge panel of the Appellate Division of Superior…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that a 17-year-old Nutley youth was charged with possession of child pornography today, a felony. The juvenile, whose name is not being released because of his age, was charged following an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crime Unit. Investigators from the Essex County…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Melvin Jovel, 21, of Elizabeth, who admitted murdering three Delaware State University students and attempting to murder a fourth, was sentenced to 245 years in state prison today by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court. Judge Ravin sentenced Jovel to three…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a four-count indictment today charging three men with the murder of Edgardo Ruiz, 42, of Newark. Rafael M Velez, 26, of Newark, Anthony Ruiz, 31, of Newark and Adrian Torres, 35, Elizabeth were all charged with the murder…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that a 17-year-old juvenile was arrested in Norfolk, Virginia and charged with the murder of 69-year-old Luz Hernandez of Orange. The juvenile, whose name will not be released at this time because of his age, remains in custody in Norfolk, Va. Ms. Hernandez was killed during…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that William Shannon, 69, an official scorer for Major League Baseball, died in a house fire in West Caldwell this morning. Shannon lived in the home with his mother, Mildred Shannon, 92. Ms. Shannon sustained what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. She was taken…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Bartholomew Bradley, 53, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Newark, has been charged with the murder of a homeless Guatemalan immigrant. Back in May a decomposed body of a Hispanic male washed up at the Passaic River Sewage treatment facility on Wilson Avenue in Newark. The body…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the second suspect in the Maplewood homicide of Victoria Carmen White turned himself in to the 4th Precinct of the Newark Police Department. Alrashim Chambers, 23, of Newark walked into a police station and surrendered to Newark Police late Sunday night. He was taken into…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury convicted David Fernandez, 29, of Newark of murder and attempted murder for killing Jose A. Rivera, 39, and attempting to kill Uriel Ocasio, who was 36 at the time. Both victims are longtime Newark residents. Following a five-week trial, the jury…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that suspects have been identified in two Maplewood homicides and warrants have been issued for their arrests. A manhunt is underway for Marquise L. Foster, 25, of North Plainfield and Alrashim N. Chambers, 23, of Newark. Foster and Chambers are wanted for the murder of Victoria…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that a three-judge panel of the Appellate Division of Superior Court ruled that the statements given by two juveniles, charged in the August 2007 Newark school yard slaying case, are admissible in court. Statements made by Shahid Baskerville of Morristown and Alexander Alfaro of Newark immediately…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has indicted Rafael Miranda, 31, of Newark for the murder of Vernardo Bermudez Suares. Suares, 34, of Miami, Florida was killed at 3 a.m. on April 10, 2010 outside the Stadium Sports Bar & Grill in Newark. In addition to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Nicole Guyette, 20, of Newark of aggravated manslaughter for the death of 18-year-old Sujeiti Ocasio also of Newark. The jury also found Guyette guilty of two weapons offenses and the simple assault of Jasmine Perez, who was 15 at…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will join communities across the nation in observing National Domestic Violence Month. The month is a special time designated by President Barack Obama to remember victims of domestic violence, their families and those who serve and support them. “We all…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that former Seton Hall University student and basketball player Robert Mitchell plead guilty today to 3rd degree criminal restraint, 2nd degree conspiracy to commit burglary and 2nd degree burglary. Appearing before the Honorable Alfonse Cifelli, J.S.C., Mitchell, 24, of Brooklyn admitted entering a private, off-campus Irvington…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Irvington High School teacher Sharonda Wilson, 31, of Irvington has been arrested and charged with the murder of Erik Stubblefield, 38, also of Irvington. On Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 at approximately 2:23 p.m. Irvington police responded to a 911 call and found Stubblefield in the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Estol “Hector” Molina, 42, of Newark has been arrested for the murder of Erica Ortiz-Fuentes, 36, also of Newark. Ortiz-Fuentes, a mother of four, was fatally stabbed in the neck by Molina as she entered The Newark Preschool Council, located at 74 St. Francis Street…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today there was a multi-alarm fire at 108 South 8th Street in Newark last night. Three tenants – a man and two women – were rescued from the second and third floors. All were pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an eight-year sentence was imposed on Elise Munafo, 24, of Kearny for running down another woman outside a Newark night club. The Honorable Sherry Hutchinson-Henderson, J.S.C, sentenced Munafo to five years for second degree aggravated assault for which she must serve 85 percent of the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Nicholas Welch, 25, of East Orange has been arrested for the murder of 19-year-old Seton Hall student Jessica Moore of Disputanta, Va. Welch was arrested at approximately 9:05 p.m. yesterday at his South Clinton Street home which is just down the street from the crime scene.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a four count indictment charging Preye L. Roberts with attempted murder and weapons charges. Roberts, 24, of Nutley is accused of shooting Fairfield police officer Gerald Veneziano multiple times on January 30, after aggressively following the off-duty officer to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Craig Scott, 24, of Newark was sentenced by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C. to two consecutive life sentences for killing 15-year-old Naeem Jackson and 17-year-old Joel Ferguson, both of Newark. Scott was sentenced to 150 years plus six months for a simple assault on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that his office, along with the Newark Police Department are investigating the homicide of Barron M. Weir, age 27 of South Orange, NJ on September 21, 2010. Newark police responded to the area of 40 Salem Street in the city’s Vailsburg section at approximately 8:30 p.m. and…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Melvin Jovel aka “Cholo” plead guilty today to three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and two weapons charges before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin. Jovel, 21, of Elizabeth admitted murdering Iofemi Hightower, 20, Dashon Harvey, 20, and Terrance Aeriel, 18. He also pled…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Vernon Parker, 37, of West Orange has pleaded guilty to official misconduct related to the aggravated assault of a prisoner. In an unrelated case, Parker also admitted to endangering the welfare of a child for physically abusing his teenage stepdaughter. Appearing before the Honorable Ronald…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Rakeem Gartrell was sentenced yesterday to 37 years in state prison for the murder of his former girlfriend Latoya Thomas and her parents. On Feb. 13, 2008, Gartrell murdered Thomas, 22 of Irvington, the mother of his daughter, and her parents, Leroy Cooper, 66, and…
On Sunday, Sept. 12 at approximately 5 a.m. Victoria Carmen White, 28, of Newark was fatally shot at a private residence located at 159 Jacoby Street in Maplewood. Information released immediately following the shooting identified the victim as James White. The victim’s legal name is Victoria Carmen White. Following an examination by the Medical Examiner…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced Debra Schinnagel, 51, of Bayonne and Marvin Crespo, 35, of North Bergen both plead guilty today to one count of second degree theft by deception before the Honorable Robert H. Gardner, J.S.C. Assistant Prosecutor Jane Plaisted said the two admitted participating in a scheme to steal more…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today the arrest of Mark W. Olsen, 41, of Millburn on multiple counts of sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl. The abuse allegedly started earlier this year when the girl was 14 years old. Olsen, who is self-employed, is married and has children of his own. He…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that members of law enforcement are seeking assistance in apprehending Jalil Teal, 20, of Newark. Teal, who also uses the name Taheemen Green, is wanted for the murder or Nii Sowah. The Honorable Michael A. Petrolle, J.S.C. signed an arrest warrant last night for Teal. Sowah,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Original Allah, also known as Raymond Champan and Raymond Chapman, 46, of Newark plead guilty yesterday to second degree aggravate arson before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin. Allah admitted to starting a fire in the 500 block of North 6th Street in Newark on Feb.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino is seeking assistance from the public to help solve a fatal hit and run. At approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22, Andre Bryant, 21, of Newark was struck and killed at Nye and Bergen Avenues. Bryant, whose family is originally from Brooklyn, was living and working in…
Statement from Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino Regarding the Possible Release of Lee Evans from Jail: We vigorously oppose the release of Lee Evans from jail. Last month an Essex County Grand Jury returned a 10-count indictment charging Evans with five counts of murder and five counts of felony murder. Bail was originally…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today the arrests of 28 adult fugitives wanted for outstanding warrants ranging from traffic violations to burglary. The early morning round-up was conducted today at the Hotel Rivera, 169 Clinton Avenue, Newark. Officers from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office assisted by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department arrested…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that law enforcement authorities are seeking the public’s help in apprehending Devere Hatchett, a corrections officer at Northern State Prison who is wanted on sexual assault charges. As a corrections officer, he is authorized to carry a firearm. An arrest warrant was issued last night for…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that his Office is seeking help from the public in apprehending Omar Solomon, 23, of Elizabeth. Solomon has been charged with the murder of Leon Truesdale, 30, of Newark. A warrant was issued for Solomon’s arrest by the Honorable Michael Ravin, J.S.C. Truesdale was killed by…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Terance Campbell, a former assistant conductor with New Jersey Transit, plead guilty before the Honorable Torkwase Sekou to stealing $3,500 from his former employer. “When a public employee commits a crime related to his job, he creates two victims – his employer and society. With…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Marco Laviola, 35, of North Bergen plead guilty to one count of theft by deception on Thursday, Aug. 5 before the Honorable Robert H. Gardner. Assistant Prosecutor Jane Plaisted said Laviola stole approximately $630,000 from Sal Son Trucking Company, located at 88 Doremus Avenue, Newark. Between…
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…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino will hold a press conference today, Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 1 p.m. to announce the arrests of individuals, including corrections officers, a probation officer and a school teacher, involved in an intricate jail smuggling ring. The press conference will take place in the 3rd Floor Media Room…
Saleem Wright, 24, of Irvington who was charged with death by auto in the case of the 5-year-old Julianne Vega, is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow – Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 9 a.m. – before the Honorable Peter Vazquez. His courtroom is located at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse, Room 604, 50 West Market…
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…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that 5-year-old Juliana Vega was struck and killed by a hit and run driver at approximately 8:38 p.m. yesterday near 30 Columbia Avenue as she was crossing the street. The little girl was transported to University Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 9:04 p.m. This…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an autopsy performed by the Essex County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that DeFarra “Dean’’ Gaymon, a 48-year-old Georgia man, died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Gaymon was fatally shot at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday, July 16, 2010 by an undercover Essex…
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…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that on Thursday, July 15, 2010 an Essex County Jury found Elise Munafo age 24 of Kearny, New Jersey guilty of 2nd degree Aggravated Assault, 3rd degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, 4th degree Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 4th degree Aggravated Assault by…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino has announced the arrest of a suspect for a June 1, 2010 robbery incident in Newark, during which an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer was grazed by a bullet from his own weapon. The suspect has been identified as 22 year old Fernandit Carpio of Newark. Fernandit is presently incarcerated…
Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that on July 13, 2010, the Appellate Division affirmed the murder conviction and life sentence imposed on Arthur Tiggs. In June 2007, Tiggs was convicted of the April 6, 2006 murder of Lance Pettiford outside the Cave Lounge on Halsey Street in Newark, N.J. Tiggs was attending his birthday…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino has announced the Medical Examiner has ruled the deaths of the male and female found at the Hotel Rivera a double homicide. At approximately 8:30 A.M. yesterday the Newark Police responded to the hotel after guests at the hotel were complaining of a foul odor on the 6th. Floor.…
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…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department are currently investigating the suspicious death of a male and a female found dead in a room at the Hotel Rivera located at 169 Clinton Avenue, Newark, N .J. At approximately 9:15 AM, Newark Police responded to the hotel after guests complained of a foul…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that authorities are seeking assistance in a Newark homicide. Last night at approximately 10:20 pm Alsamad Davis, 34, of Irvington was fatally shot outside a residence located on Brookdale Avenue in the city of Newark. Moniefa Bullock, 31, of Newark was also shot in the leg.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Rodolfo Godinez, 27, of Newark has been sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus twenty years – a total of 245 years — for the schoolyard murders of Iofemi Hightower, 20, Dashon Harvey, 20, Terrance Aeriel, 18, and the attempted murder of Natasha Aeriel, now…
Media Advisory: Oquan Blake aka Samaad Blake was arrested without incident last night at approximately 10 p.m.at his mother’s home in Newark. Blake was wanted for the murder and sexual assault of a 7-month-old baby girl, Dalaysia Rhymer. He is not expected to have a court appearance today.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Jose Reyes, 35, of Newark has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for sexually assaulting three young boys. At the time of his arrest, Reyes was employed as the manager at the Can Do Fitness Center, located at 750 Morris and Essex Turnpike…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has issued a warrant for the arrest of Oquan Blake, 24, of Newark. Blake is wanted for the murder and sexual assault of Dalaysia Rhymer, a 7-month-old baby girl. She is the daughter of a woman Blake dated. The mother left…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Terique Ganes, 32, of Irvington and Vetosa Smith, 31, Newark for the armed robbery of an attendant at the Gulf gas station located at 1444 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union at approximately 1:38 p.m. today. The suspects used a red Honda Accord. They pulled into…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a 29-count indictment against former Seton Hall University basketball players Kelly Whitney, 27, of Chicago and Robert Mitchell, 23, of Brooklyn. They are charged with eight counts of kidnapping, eight counts of aggravated assault, burglary, robbery and weapons offenses.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrests of three men in connection with the fatal stabbing of Malik Denny, 34, of East Orange. Jorge Santana Peralda, 22, of Irvington has been charged with Denny’s murder. Wilber Duran Reyes, 20, of Newark has been charged with aggravated assault and the unlawful possession…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced Jose Max Mari, Jr., 28, of Clifton has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault upon an incapacitated person, aggravated assault and criminal restraint. It is alleged that in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 19, 2010 Mari was seen putting an unknown substance…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced Raheem Walker, 20, of Newark is wanted in connection with the police involved shooting in Newark on Monday, June 21, 2010. Walker has been charged with robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses. Walkers’ co-conspirator Jahad Phillips, 19, of Newark was fatally shot by a Newark Police officer.…
Recently a news organization published a photograph of a Megan’s Law sex offender. The photograph was taken from a flier distributed by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to schools, day care centers, businesses and families. Because re-publication of the photograph is a violation of the law, we thought this would be a good time to…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Everett Rand, 40, of Newark has been arrested for the murder of David Payton, 39, of Newark. Rand was also charged with weapons offenses, possession of heroin, and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school. Payton was found in an unoccupied…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced an Essex County Grand Jury returned a five-count indictment charging Jose A. Beltran, 49, with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. In the early morning hours of Dec. 18, 2009, Beltran was driving a black Lincoln Navigator, on the Garden State Parkway in Irvington when…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an Essex County Grand Jury indicted Al White for the murder of Byron Lockett, 42, of Newark. On Oct. 9, 2009, Lockett was shot multiple times outside Marlo’s Restaurant and Bar on Lyons Avenue in Irvington. An altercation occurred in front of the bar, according…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Donell Anderson, 39, of Montclair. Anderson was charged with weapons offenses, impersonating a police officer, kidnapping, attempted aggravated sexual assault and two counts of aggravated sexual assault. On Friday, June 11, at approximately 3 p.m. Anderson, using what appeared to be a police…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an indictment was returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging Stephanie Miles, 28, with aggravated manslaughter for the death of Raymond Utley, Jr., 33. Both were residents of Newark at the time. Miles was also indicted on weapons charges. The indictment charges that on…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Quincy Green, 36, of Irvington has been indicted for the murder of 62-year-old Victor Petsch, also of Irvington. Between Aug. 24 and 26, 1999, Petsch was stabbed to death during the course of an armed robbery. The victim was found on the second floor of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced Jose Colon, 19, of Newark has been arrested on narcotics possession and distribution charges. Detectives from the Prosecutor’s VIPER Unit, the major narcotics unit of the Prosecutor’s Office, developed intelligence that Colon was distributing cocaine in the North Ward of Newark and initiated an investigation. After…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced Eric K. Warugongo, 35, of Clark was arrested for possession of 518 oxycodone tablets. Detectives received a tip that Warugongo, a native of Kenya, was distributing narcotics at the Pathmark on Lyons Avenue in Irvington. They seized a 1994 Cadillac and discovered the narcotics. An additional…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Markis Langley, 37, of Rahway was shot multiple times last night at approximately 7 p.m. as he entered his vehicle in front of 563 South 17th Street in Newark. His injuries were fatal. Witnesses said a maroon vehicle with tinted windows, possibly a Subaru, pulled…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Charles Smith, 65, of East Orange has been arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Beverly Goldson Smith, 64, also of East Orange. Mr. Smith was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Charles Gatling, 21, of Union was fatally shot last night at approximately 9:20 p.m. in the 100 block of 40th Street in Irvington. A second man, Djuan Cirino, 19, of Union sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The two men, traveling in a Pontiac Grand…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced Tamir Little, 31, and Samirah Lightford, 23, both of Irvington, have been indicted and arrested on complaints charging them with the murder of 3-year-old Neveah Turner. Tamir Little, the victim’s father, was indicted on murder charges and endangering the welfare of a child. Lightford was also…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Vincent Trevino, 21, of Newark pleaded guilty to first degree aggravated manslaughter for the death of Nicholas Roldan, 18, of Newark. On Dec. 6, 2007, Roldan was fatally shot in front of the Chicken Shack on Bloomfield Avenue and Third Street. According to Assistant Prosecutor…
Closing arguments in the case of State v. Rodolfo Godinez are tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 19, 2010 before the Honorable Judge Michael Ravin, 11th Floor, Essex County Veterans Courthouse, 50 West Market Street, Newark, NJ. All requests regarding cameras or other video or electronic equipment, including laptops, in the court room must be…
Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Richard Figueroa, 24, of Belleville was struck and killed this morning in Bloomfield in the area of Watsessing and Bloomfield Avenues. Figueroa was pronounced dead at 12:48 p.m. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the vehicle that struck the pedestrian may have had a mechanical malfunction.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Nadiyah Venable, 20, of Irvington for the murder of Sharon Moens, 29, Newark. Law enforcement authorities are also seeking an unidentified male in connection with this homicide, according to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly. “This is an active and ongoing investigation,’’…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Henry Jones, 18, of Newark was fatally shot in the head during an apparent carjacking. Jones was a passenger in a silver Jaguar X10. The incident occurred at 55-57 Parkview Terrance in Newark. The vehicle was recovered. The homicide is still being investigated. No more…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Michael Davis, 33, of Newark was fatally shot on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at approximately 12 midnight. He died from his injuries on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Newark Police responded to a report of shots fired. When they arrived on the scene they found Davis…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is still trying to identify the Hispanic male whose body washed up at the Passaic Valley Sewerage Treatment Facility, 600 Wilson Street, Newark, on Friday afternoon, May 14, 2010. The cause of death was determined to be drowning after an autopsy was performed on Saturday. The manner of death is…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office VIPER Unit arrested Leroy Stedmon Peters, 31, of Newark and charged him with drug and weapons offenses. Peters was arrested today after detectives developed information that he would be in possession of cocaine. Detectives conducted a motor vehicle…
On Friday, May 14th, 2010 the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will host its annual World Against Violence Youth Conference. The theme for this year’s conference is “Youth Empowerment: Being Prepared for the Future.’’ Approximately 400 students from middle schools in Bloomfield, Newark, Irvington and East Orange have been invited to attend the one day summit.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Rafael Velez, 26, of Newark for the homicide of Edgardo Ruiz, 42, of Newark. Velez was also charged with weapons offenses and conspiracy. On April 20, 2010 Newark police responded to a report of shots fired. When they arrived in the 500 block…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Nelson Keenan, 42, of Newark was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the November 2007 knifepoint rape of a 53-year-old Irvington woman. Keenan, who is married, was sentenced today by the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that the 17-year-old suspect, who was shot by a Bloomfield police officer on Friday, died at University Hospital. Rasheed Cherry, 17, of East Orange was shot on Friday night after he opened fire at a crowded carnival. He was pronounced dead at 12:26 p.m. today. Next…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that the 17-year-old East Orange juvenile, who opened fire at a carnival in Bloomfield on Friday, injuring another teenager, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two weapons offenses and resisting arrest. The 17-year-old, who was charged today, was shot in the torso by…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment charging Police Detective Angel Pared, 28, of Newark with using excessive force in the arrest of a 15-year-old male juvenile. It is alleged that on March 24, 2010, at approximately 10 p.m., Detective Pared assaulted the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Jermaine McMillian, 37, of Newark on first degree narcotics charges. Detectives from the Prosecutor’s VIPER Unit, the major narcotics unit of the Prosecutor’s Office, developed criminal intelligence that McMillian was distributing cocaine in the South Ward of Newark. The investigation resulted in the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that two men were fatally shot at approximately 1:30 a.m. today. They have been identified as Alduha Davis, 38, of Elizabeth and Shareef Burton, 32, of Hillside. The two men were shot at 117 Ridgewood Avenue in Newark as they were leaving or going to a local…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Stephon Johnson, 37, of Newark was sentenced to 12 years in New Jersey State Prison for narcotics and weapons charges resulting from his January 2009 arrest by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office VIPER Unit. Johnson was a prime target of a long-term investigation dubbed “Operation…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Northern State prison inmate Raymond Jenkins, 42, of Plainfield plead guilty today to possessing a cell phone in state prison. According to Assistant Prosecutor Brandon Minde, Jenkins convinced a dental hygienist, who was employed as a contract service provider, to smuggle a cell phone into the…
Opening arguments in the case of State v. Rudolfo Godinez are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2010 in the court room of the Honorable Michael Ravin, Essex County Veterans Courthouse, 50 West Market Street, 11th Floor, room 1104. The case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutors Romesh Sukhdeo and Thomas McTigue. News organizations…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today the sentencing of Eric D. Lunsford, 20, of Newark. Lunsford was sentenced to 35 years for the aggravated manslaughter of Jeffrey King, 48, and the aggravated assault of Everett Stephenson, 33, both of Newark. A jury convicted Lunsford of the charges on Feb. 22, 2010. The…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that a 16-year-old girl was fatally shot last night in Orange. At approximately 10 p.m. Orange Police officers responded to a report of shots fired. When they arrived in the area of Valley and Argyle Streets they discovered two victims — Swamaiya White, 16, and Myron…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Maria Pomavilla, 19, of Newark died from injuries she sustained after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. On Saturday, April 17, 2010 Ms. Pomarilla, who lived in the Ironbound section of Newark, was hit by a motor vehicle at the intersection of Warwick and Adams…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Calvin Garnett, 27, of Irvington on three counts of first degree robbery, aggravated assault and weapons offenses. The jury deliberated for an hour and a half before returning the guilty verdict. On July 27, 2008, Garnett approached the three victims…
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the death of a black male whose burnt body was found on the 200 block of Rose Street in Newark. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that the body discovered by Newark firefighters this morning on Rose Street in Newark is Melvin Williams, 43, of…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Noah Cuebas, 27, of East Orange plead guilty to two counts of murder and weapons offenses. On Feb. 21, 2005 Cuebas murdered Allen Reese, 17, of Newark. Cuebas abducted Ishwanda Hutchins, a 14-year-old Newark girl, at gunpoint, took her to the basement of a condemned building…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Rory Palmer, 26, of Newark, a Newark Special Police Officer, was arrested on a complaint charging him with official misconduct, theft by deception and tampering with public records. Between September 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010, Palmer was assigned to work at the Newark Public Library.…
Reginald Anthony, 28, and Shaun Woodson, 24, both of East Orange, are scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at 12 Noon before Judge Peter J. Vazquez for the murder of Robert Nevius, 91, of Essex Fells. Judge Vazquez’s courtroom is located on the 6th Floor, Courtroom 604, of the Essex County Veterans…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Jerome J. Davis, 17, of Newark plead guilty to first degree aggravated sexual assault of a Newark woman before the Honorable Peter Vazquez, P.J.S.C. Davis was prosecuted as an adult. Assistant Prosecutor Walter Dirkin said the incident occurred on March 10, 2009. Davis, who was…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an indictment was returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging Kenneth Brown, 44, of Nutley with first degree vehicular homicide. The four count indictment also charges Brown with second degree vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated assault. The indictment alleges Brown was impaired…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today (April 17, 2010) that Shaun Woodson, 24, of East Orange has been arrested on a complaint charging him with felony murder, murder, robbery and weapons offenses for the murder of Robert Nevius, 91, of Essex Fells. Woodson is the co-defendant of Reginald Anthony, 28, of East…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Reginald Anthony, 28, of East Orange has been arrested on a complaint charging him with felony murder, murder, robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses for the murder of Robert Nevius, 91, of Essex Fells. Anthony, who was hired as a chauffeur to drive Mr. Nevius and…
At approximately 5 p.m. a male was shot. An hour later he was pronounced dead at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The incident occurred in the 90th block of Willoughby Street in Newark. It is actively being investigated by Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad and the Newark Police Homicide Squad.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today the arrest of Terrance Moore, 19, of Newark on a complaint charging him with six counts of aggravated assault. On April 13, 2010, Moore allegedly was the driver of a Chevrolet Malibu that hit six teens, critically injuring two, on North Oraton Parkway in East Orange.…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Rosa Mino, 70, of Harrison was struck while crossing Broad Street, between Bridge and Lombardy, in Newark at approximately 12:30 p.m. on April 14. The driver of the car, which has preliminarily been identified as a black or dark colored Cadillac STS, fled the scene…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Robert Nevius, 91, was found unresponsive at approximately 8:40 a.m. in his Essex Fells home by members of the Essex Fells Police Department who went to the home to do a welfare check-in. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Essex Fells Police Department are…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Rafael Miranda, 31, of Newark was arrested for the murder of Bernardo Bermudez, 34, of Dade County, Florida. Bermudez was fatally shot on April 11, 2010 outside a Newark sports bar after he and Miranda allegedly got into a dispute. Miranda was also charged with…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Danielle Johnson, 27, of East Orange was arrested and charged with the murder of Andre Austin, 23, of East Orange. At approximately 3 a.m. today Newark Police responded to a shots fired call. Austin was found dead by the officers in the driver’s seat of a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrests of 17 people, including two juveniles, by the Essex County Prosecutor’s VIPER Unit and the Orange Police Department during a three week crack down on open drug offenses. During the law enforcement initiative, members of the VIPER Unit and the Orange Police Department confiscated…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Bernando Bermudez was fatally shot at approximately 3:11 a.m. Sunday, April 11, 2010 outside the Stadium Bar located at 290 Mulberry Street in Newark. Bermudez, 34, of Dade County, Florida, apparently got into a dispute with the shooter. Next of kin has been notified. The investigation…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that Andre Austin, 23, of East Orange was found by Newark Police dead in the driver’s seat of a car on Tremont Avenue in Newark at approximately 3 a.m. today. Austin had been shot in the chest. A female passenger was in the vehicle with Austin. She…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Ike Greaves, 21, of Newark in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Daniel Lewis also of Newark. Officers arrested Greaves without incident at 6:30 a.m. at 58 Fabian Place. A grocery store clerk, Lewis was fatally shot on Dec. 12, 2009 during a robbery…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the indictment of Thomas Grant, 23, of Frank of Newark for the murder of 15-year-old Yusef Johnson of Newark. The three-count indictment also charges Grant with two weapons offenses. Johnson, an honor student and football standout at West Side High School, was fatally shot multiple times…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest and indictment of East Orange Police Officer Kareem Spence, 34, of South Plainfield on charges of arson and insurance fraud. Spence was arrested today March 31, 2010, at approximately 10:30 a.m. at East Orange Police Headquarters after a three-count indictment was unsealed on March…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced the arrests of two individuals in West Caldwell on narcotics charges. On Friday, March 26, 2010, detectives from the Prosecutor’s narcotics and gang task force, known as the VIPER Unit, arrested Joshua Soldano, 29, and Brian Leaman, 29, both of Ramsey, NJ. The investigation began when detectives…
The County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey announces the availability of four scholarships for law school students. The County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, was created by the County Prosecutors Association for the purpose of awarding scholarships. Each year, the foundation offers one-year scholarship in the amount of $2,500 paid directly…
Acting Essex Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced the fatal shooting Ian Patrick Morris, 34, of East Orange. Morris was fatally shot at approximately 6:22 PM in the fifth stairwell outside of his apartment located at South Harrison Street in East Orange. Emergency Medical Services officers responded to the scene and Morris was pronounced dead at…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Richard Smith, 28, of Newark for the Dec. 18, 2006 shooting death of Charles Mathis, 24, of Newark. He was charged with first degree murder and weapons offenses. Smith was already in custody on an unrelated matter when he was charged with the…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a six count indictment against Dale Cheatham, 53, of Newark for the Oct 22, 2009 murder of Deborah Long, 55, of East Orange. Cheatham, who had a longstanding relationship with Long, allegedly slit her throat with a razor box…
Lee Anthony Evans, 56, of Irvington and Philander Hampton, 53, of Jersey City were arraigned today, March 24, 2010, before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez on murder and arson charges in connection with the 31-year-old cold case involving five teenage boys who vanished from Newark. Both men pleaded not guilty. Randy Johnson, 16, Melvin Pittman,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino, Newark Police Director Garry McCarthy and Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, today announced the arrests of two individuals in one of New Jersey’s oldest cold cases. Arrested last night were Lee Anthony Evans, 56, of Irvington and Philander Hampton, 53, of Jersey City. Both…
Former Seton Hall University student and basketball player Kelly Whitney, 27, of Chicago entered a not guilty plea at an arraignment today, Monday, March 22, 2010 in Newark before the Honorable Amilkar Velez-Lopez on charges stemming from a robbery on March 15, 2010 in South Orange. Current student and former basketball player, Robert Mitchell, 23,…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today, Friday, March 19, 2010, the arrest of former Seton Hall basketball player Kelly Whitney, 27, of Chicago in connection with the South Orange robbery allegedly involving Robert Mitchell, another former Seton Hall player and current student. Whitney was arrested at approximately 11 p.m. last night at a…
Seton Hall University student and basketball player Robert Mitchell, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y. entered a not guilty plea at an arraignment today, Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Newark before the Honorable Amilkar Velez-Lopez on charges stemming from a robbery on March 15, 2010 in South Orange. The judge set bail at $650,000 and ordered a…
Yesterday morning at approximately 6:55am, Maplewood police officers responded to Henry Place in Maplewood on a report of a male found in bed unresponsive. The male, who was pronounced dead, was later identified as Arthur Downey, age 27. It has been determined by the medical examiner that the manner of death was asphyxia and the…
The arraignment for Preye Roberts is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at the Veterans Courthouse, CJP Courtroom 502 before the Honorable Velez-Lopez. In order for the press to bring cameras into the court room please contact the Essex County Court Administrator’s Office at 973-693-5701.
Earlier this morning at approximately 6:55am, Maplewood police officers responded to Henry Place in Maplewood on a report of a male found in bed unresponsive. The decedent was pronounced dead, via telemetry, by Dr, Rehr of Monmouth County Medical Center Hospital at 7:25 a.m. Death notification has not been communicated to the decedent’s next of…
Today Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert L. Laurino announced the arrest of Preye L. Roberts, age 24, of Nutley, New Jersey in connection with the alleged shooting of Fairfield Police Officer Gerald Veneziano on January 30, 2010 in Fairfield. Preye Roberts was charged with attempted murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a…
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino today announced that a Newark mail carrier, Kevin Jones, has been charged with allegedly stealing gift cards and DVD’s intended for a postal recipient. Additionally, Jones was observed stealing mail from the Newark post office box of State Senator Ronald Rice. The United States Postal Service received cooperation and…
Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office interviewed Fairfield Police Officer Veneziano, age 26, in connection with the injuries he sustained during a shooting incident which occurred on January 30, 2010. Acting Prosecutor Laurino reported that Officer Veneziano indicated that the shooting was sparked by “road rage”. Laurino…
Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that on Sunday night, February 7, an Essex County Sheriff Officer was shot and critically wounded in the area of 667 Sanford Avenue in Newark. The suspect, Darnell McNeil, age 19, of Somerset was fatally wounded. Essex County Sheriff Officer Lorenzo Zackery, age 49, a 22 year veteran, was…
Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that Police Officer Veneziano has been in and out of consciousness and is due to have more surgery. He was shot multiple times, is in shock and severely traumatized. However, despite a breathing tube he has made a few limited communications regarding the shooting incident. He remains in critical…
On February 2, 2010, Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that Andrew Brady, former Director of the South Orange Parks and Recreation, turned himself in at the South Orange Police Department for the alleged offense of theft. This is a third degree offense with the possibility of 3 to 5 years prison term. Brady, age…
Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino today announced a string of arrests in connection with the shooting death of Wilkerson Jean-Baptiste, age 19, of Irvington, New Jersey. He was shot in his home December 4, 2009, in Irvington. Tourrie Moses, age 19, of Montclair was arrested on January 17, 2010; Robert Morton, age 21, of Montclair was…
Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow announced that a Monmouth County man has pleaded guilty to setting his vehicle on fire in an attempt to defraud his insurance company. Brian Raheb, 49, of Holmdel pleaded guilty on Friday in Superior Court to third-degree insurance fraud. As part of the plea agreement, Raheb will serve 90…
