March 2023

December 14, 2021

NEWARK, N.J.—Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected a handgun and ammunition artfully concealed inside a traveler’s checked baggage yesterday (December 13) resulting in his arrest.

The gun was found taped and wrapped in an ace bandage along with a handful of bullets that were detected inside a hollowed-out bar of soap. The items were detected among the traveler’s other belongings inside his checked bag. When the TSA officer spotted the items, Port Authority Police (PAPD) were contacted and the man was called to return to the airline check-in counter. PAPD arrested the man, a resident of Chester, Pa., on a weapons charge. He told officials that the gun was given to him by a deceased relative and he was planning to take it to Lagos, Nigeria.

“This individual knew what was in his checked bag and he intentionally attempting to conceal both the gun and ammunition to bring overseas,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “In addition to screening carry-on bags, TSA officers also screen all checked baggage before it is permitted to be loaded onto an airplane. This was a good catch on the part of our officers.”

TSA officers detected this handgun wrapped in an ace bandage with tape along with several bullets that were concealed inside a hollowed out bar of soap. (TSA photo)

TSA officers detected these bullets artfully concealed in a hollowed out bar of soap among his carry-on items. (TSA photo)

July 18, 2022

FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH) – A Morris County man has been criminally charged with a bias crime as the result of threatening comments he made at a Jersey Shore synagogue late last week, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Monday.

Nicholas Skirvin, 44, of Denville is charged with second-degree Bias Intimidation, third-degree Making Terroristic Threats, and Harassment, a petty disorderly persons offense.

Members of the Deal Police Department responded to the Ohel Yaacob Congregation at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Ocean Avenue North at approximately 1 p.m. on Friday, July 15 on a report of an unknown person recording himself with a cell phone while making obscene gestures and screaming profanity-laced ethnic and homophobic slurs and threats at synagogue congregants.

A fast-moving investigation resulted in Skirvin being identified as a suspect in the case, and he was arrested by members of the Deal Police Department on a beach in nearby Asbury Park later the same afternoon. He was subsequently transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing that is now tentatively scheduled to take place on Monday, July 25, before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul Escandon.

The State is filing a motion to keep Skirvin detained pending the outcome of the case.

“The hate-filled rhetoric heard last Friday in what is typically a peaceful neighborhood with a tight-knit Jewish community wasn’t just abhorrent and disturbing – it was criminal,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. “The charges being announced today should send a clear message that we take such conduct with the utmost seriousness. There is no place for hate in Monmouth County – especially when it is the motive behind a crime.” 

The Prosecutor’s Office sincerely thanks and recognizes the members of the Deal, Asbury Park, and Denville police departments who contributed to this investigation and arrest. The incident has also been reported to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, which tracks bias incidents and crimes occurring statewide.

This case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibility and Bias Crime Bureau. Skirvin is being represented by Robert E. Dunn, Esq., with an office in Morristown.

If convicted of the second-degree offense, Skirvin would face a term of up to 10 years in state prison.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

William Burden, 48, of Trenton, was allegedly one of Jerome Armstead’s suppliers and also faces weapons offenses in connection with a search of his home on Oct. 1, 2021, when police uncovered a blank gun, cocaine, and marijuana. As a result, Burden and his live-in girlfriend, Deborah Derricott, 55, of Upper Deerfield, N.J., were also indicted on second-degree possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes.

December 16, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck today announced the indictment of the alleged head, supplier, and other associates in connection with a drug ring that was dealing heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl in Salem City. During the course of the investigation and subsequent search warrants, law enforcement seized two handguns, an assault firearm, and a blank gun (imitation firearm that shoots blanks) from members of the trafficking organization.

The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau obtained a state grand jury indictment on Wednesday, December 15, charging alleged members and associates of a Salem City drug ring on second-degree conspiracy, and various drug and weapons offenses.

The charges stem from “Operation Worldwide,” a 10-month long investigation led by the New Jersey State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau which led to arrests and charges against the defendants in October 2021. During the investigation and subsequent search warrants, two handguns, an assault firearm, over 17 ounces of crack cocaine, 17 ounces of suspected heroin, and 6 ounces of fentanyl were seized by law enforcement.

“Indictments like this show that law enforcement is best when we collaborate to investigate and prosecute organizations that put communities at risk,” said Acting Attorney General Bruck. “We are committed to holding those who profit from illegal drugs and utilize crime guns to support their criminal activity accountable.”

“Operation Worldwide is a great example of our commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and dismantling criminal organizations that fuel violence in our communities,” said Director Lyndsay V. Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Let this indictment be a warning to those engaging in criminal behavior, you will be held accountable.”

“This operation resulted in the takedown of a drug ring that was allegedly distributing some of the most highly addictive and deadly narcotics sold on the streets, and as a result of the drug and gun seizures, there will undoubtedly be a positive impact on Salem City and its surrounding communities,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “An operation of this magnitude requires a tremendous amount of collaboration and planning between law enforcement agencies, and I commend all of our detectives and partners who worked tirelessly to dismantle this trafficking network.”

Jerome Armstead, aka “Worldwide,” 47, of Salem, N.J., who allegedly ran the drug set, was indicted on second-degree conspiracy and first-, second-, and third-degree drug offenses. When search warrants were executed on Oct. 8, investigators seized a handgun in an area in close proximity to the Elm Street residence where he allegedly hid contraband. As a result, he was also indicted on two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine.

The following defendants were indicted on Dec. 15 on second-degree conspiracy, and various second- and third-degree drug offenses. Defendants with an asterisk also face weapons charges:

• Kunta K. Reeves, 43, of Carneys Point;
• William Burden*, 48, of Trenton;
• Deborah Derricott*, 55, of Upper Deerfield, N.J.;
• Kaleb Morris*, 18, of Salem, N.J.;
• Damyja Noel*, 20, of Salem, N.J.;
• Ronnell Booker, 44, of Salem;
• Jake Saxton, 43, of Salem;
• Arthur Armstead, 50, of Salem;
• Artaj Northrop, 26, of Salem; and
• Monique Noel, 39, of Salem.

William Burden, 48, of Trenton, was allegedly one of Jerome Armstead’s suppliers and also faces weapons offenses in connection with a search of his home on Oct. 1, 2021, when police uncovered a blank gun, cocaine, and marijuana. As a result, Burden and his live-in girlfriend, Deborah Derricott, 55, of Upper Deerfield, N.J., were also indicted on second-degree possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes.

Members of the New Jersey State Police and U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Kaleb Morris, 18, of Salem, N.J. on an outstanding warrant for a firearms offense. Investigators seized additional drugs, a handgun, and ammunition from his residence. As a result, Morris and Damyja Noel, 20, of Salem, N.J., are also charged with various weapons charges including second-degree possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine.

The indictment is posted online here: View Indictment

Deputy Attorney General Veronica Vizzard and Deputy Attorney General Aaron Witherspoon are lead prosecutors on the case for the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto, Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis, and DCJ Deputy Director Annmarie Taggart.

The lead investigator in Operation Worldwide Det. Michael Cresci of New Jersey State Police Intelligence and Criminal Enterprise Section, Violent and Organized Crime Control South Bureau and Crime Suppression South Unit. The investigation was conducted by detectives of the New Jersey State Police Intelligence and Criminal Enterprise Section, Violent and Organized Crime Control South Bureau and Crime Suppression South Unit, working in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, Salem Police Department, Salem County Prosecutors Office, Bridgeton Police Department, Carneys Point Police Department, Salem County Sheriff’s Department, Camden County Police Department, Camden County Sheriff’s Department, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, and Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000, while second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, and fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This investigation is another step towards reducing gun violence in New Jersey, one of Acting Attorney General Bruck’s key priority areas. In addition to long-term enforcement actions, the Attorney General’s Office and local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are establishing a statewide gun violence task force, holding a series of gun buyback programs around the state this summer, as well as performing targeted sweeps of fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants for violent offenses, as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat gun violence.

Defense Attorneys

Jerome Armstead: D. Coleby Rogers, Esq., Westmont, N.J.

William Burden: Andrew Imperiale, Esq., Ventnor City, N.J.

Deborah Derricott: Scott R. Cohen, Esq., Cherry Hill, N.J.

Kunta K. Reeves: Durann Neil, Esq., Atlantic City, N.J.

Kaleb Morris: Logan Terry, Esq., Cinnaminson, N.J.

Ronnell Booker: Logan Terry, Esq., Cinnaminson, N.J.

Monique Noel: Public Defender Kevin Walker, Mercer County

For Others: Undetermined

August 4, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–According to Trenton Police Detective Lieutenant Bethesda Stokes, police responded to a Shotspotter activation for 27 rounds fired at 1:11 a.m., August 3, 2022, in the area of 198 Passiac Street. Responding Police Officers located a gunshot victim in front of 153 Passaic St with a gunshot wound to the foot. The victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center with a non-life-threatening injury. 

Another shooting was reported at 6:54 p.m. August 3, 2022, where a unknown black male was shot at the intersection of Klagg Avenue and Mulberry Street. The male was struck in the leg, chest and face and he is reportedly in critical condition.

June 27, 2022

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–At 2:23 p.m. the Robbinsville Fire Department and EMS was dispatched to the New Jersey Turnpike outer lanes near mile post 63.4 for a multi-vehicle crash (Near Windsor Road overpass). New Jersey State Police and Gorge’s Garage arrived for the tow. Upon arrival of the fire department it was determined to be minor non-life-threating and it was unclear if anyone was transported to the hospital. Firefighters remained on scene for a short time. New Jersey State Police is investigating the crash.

February 28, 2021

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)– Firefighter Ed Haemmerle of the Robbinsville Township Fire Department worked his last tour on Friday before leaving on retirement with 20 years of service. Ed started his career with the Robbinsville Township Fire Department when the department was being managed by the Washington Township Fire District #1. Haemmerle was sworn in by Mayor David Fried and presented his department badge by Fire Commissioner at the time Deborah Matson. In 2006 the department name was changed to the Robbinsville Township Fire Department along with a consolidation and Township name change.

Firefighter Haemmerle has over 32 years in the fire service starting as a volunteer firefighter in West Windsor before gaining employment with Union City EMS where he served for 8 years, and West Windsor Emergency Services before his career in Robbinsville.

 The Robbinsville Township Fire Department stated that, “During his tenure with the Robbinsville Township Fire Department, Firefighter Haemmerle has always been a committed professional, a trusted firefighter, and a valued member of the department.”

Ed working the pump at a barn fire in Robbinsville on August 2, 2020

Midjersey.news file photo: November 28, 2019 Firefighter Ed Haemmerle after extinguishing a house fire on Windsor Road in Robbinsville.

Firefighter Ed Haemmerle has over 32 years in the fire service starting as a volunteer firefighter in West Windsor before gaining employment with Union City EMS where he served for 8 years, and West Windsor Emergency Services before his career in Robbinsville. Photo by: Dennis Symons – Midjersey.news

March 2001 Firefighter Haemmerle was sworn in by Mayor David Fried and presented his department badge by Fire Commissioner at the time Deborah Matson. File Photos by: Dennis Symons

March 24, 2023

FREEHOLD – A Bayshore man has been criminally charged with stealing more than $60,000 from a local appliance repair company that he managed financial matters for over the course of several years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Friday.

Eduardo “Edward” Murillo, 46, of Keyport is charged with third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition and third-degree Impersonation/Identity Theft.

An investigation by members of the MCPO Financial Crimes & Public Corruption Bureau revealed that Murillo first met the principal of the aforementioned appliance repair company several years ago, during services at a church in Matawan. Thereafter, purporting to be highly experienced in accounting, Murillo began handling the personal and financial business of the victim and his company, also based in Matawan.

Analysis of financial records revealed that on various dates between 2017 and 2019, Murillo stole a little more than $61,000 from the company, using a variety of unauthorized transactions, and spending the proceeds on items such as personal expenses and sports betting.

Murillo surrendered to authorities without incident yesterday and was formally charged and released pending a Monmouth County Superior Court hearing tentatively scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 2.

Anyone with additional information about Murillo’s activities is urged to contact MCPO Detective Michael W. Donovan III at 800-533-7443.

This case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Kristen Anastos. Murillo is being represented by Taylor DiBenedetto, Esq., with an office in New Brunswick.   

Convictions on criminal charges of this nature can be punishable by up to five years in state prison.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.  

March 15, 2023

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 13, 2023, Mark Capichana, 55, of Keyport, pled guilty before the Honorable Lisa A. Puglisi, J.S.C., to Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine in an Amount Greater than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute, as well as Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity.  At the time of his sentencing on June 30, 2023, the State will be seeking a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Narcotics charge and seven years NJSP as to the Financial Facilitation charge.  The sentences are to run consecutively.

“Operation Checkmate” was a four-month-long cooperative, multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Group 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force,and New Jersey State Police – Trafficking Central Unit, in concert with many other state, county, and local law enforcement agencies.  The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force managed and directed three simultaneous multi-agency investigations into high level cocaine distribution in Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex Counties, as well as New York City.  During the course of these investigations, approximately 50 additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force on a full-time basis.  Multiple agencies – both within and outside of Ocean County – assisted in every aspect of all three investigations.  The investigations, identified as “Operation Checkmate,” began in July 2021 and concluded in October of 2021.

The three cocaine networks were responsible for the import of more than three kilograms of cocaine per week into the Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex County areas.  Through sophisticated surveillance methods and undercover operatives, “Operation Checkmate” was successful in disrupting and dismantling illicit controlled dangerous substance (CDS) distribution activities in these three counties, as well as New York City.  On October 26, 2021, “Operation Checkmate” closed with the apprehension of 24 individuals for various offenses involving distribution of controlled dangerous substances.  Additionally, 24 search warrants were executed resulting in the seizure of more than four kilograms of cocaine, over 15 pounds of marijuana, in excess of $650,000 in United States currency,  seven firearms (three handguns, three “ghost guns,” and one pistol grip shotgun), ten vehicles, and additional illegal narcotics. 

On October 26, 2021, Detectives executed court authorized search warrants at Capichana’s residence in Keyport and a business operated by Capichana, also located in Keyport.  As a result, law enforcement seized – in combination from the residence and the business – approximately 1,455 grams of cocaine as well as $166,000 in United States currency.  Capichana was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform. 

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Chief Narcotics Assistant Prosecutor William Porter and Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who are handling the case on behalf of the State, and also recognizes the following agencies for their collaborative assistance and cooperation with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force in connection with this investigation:  Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit; Ocean County Regional SWAT Team; United States Drug Enforcement Administration – HIDTA Group 5; Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force; New Jersey State Police – Trafficking Central Unit; New Jersey State Police Teams Unit; New Jersey Air National Guard Counter Drug Task Force; Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Unit; Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force; Matawan Borough Police Department; Matawan Borough Police Department K-9 Unit; Keyport Borough Police Department; Manalapan Township Police Department; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Field Services Unit; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit; Barnegat Township Police Department; Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit; Brick Township Police Department Special Response Team; Brick Township Police Department K-9 Unit; Beachwood Borough Police Department; Berkeley Township Police Department; Jackson Township Police Department; Lakewood  Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit; Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team; Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit; Manchester Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team; Ocean Township Police Department (Waretown); Point Pleasant Borough Police Department; South Toms River Police Department; Stafford Township Police Department; Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit; Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit; Toms River Township Police K-9 Unit; Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office; Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit; Aberdeen Township Police Department; Asbury Park Police Department; Hazlet Township Police Department; Hazlet Township Police Department K-9 Unit; Keansburg Borough Police Department; Marlboro Township Police Department; Middletown Township Police Department; Sea Bright Borough Police Department; Old Bridge Township Police Department – Bureau of Narcotics; Union Beach Borough Police Department; Union Beach Borough Police Department K-9 Unit; New York City Police Department – 50^th  Precinct Field Intelligence Office; and the City of New York Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

July 25, 2022

FREEHOLD – A Keyport man has been charged with robbery and aggravated sexual assault as a result of an assault and an attempted theft that took place Thursday in Tinton Falls, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Tuesday.

Kareem Lee, 31, was charged with first-degree Robbery, as well as first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault with an Armed Weapon after threatening to rob the victim of money and sexually assaulting the victim, while armed with a deadly weapon.

At approximately 2:32 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, Tinton Falls Police Department officers were dispatched to a local motel for a report of a sexual assault. Upon arrival, the female victim told officers that she had been sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a man who had entered the room.

At that point, an investigation was launched with the Tinton Falls Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau. During the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Lee.

The investigation remains active and ongoing at this time.

Lee is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute (MCCI) pending a detention hearing on July 27, 2022 before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon.  

Investigators are actively seeking additional information about the activities of the defendant, and a photo is being distributed along with this press release. Anyone with information regarding this case or the defendant is asked to please contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Dawn Correia at 800-533-7443 or Tinton Falls Police Department Officer Christopher Mills at 732-542-4422.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki.

Lee does not have representation listed at this time.  

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Kareem Lee, 31

December 20, 2021

FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A Colts Neck man has been arrested and charged with committing a series of three bank robberies in various local municipalities over the course of a little more than a month, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Monday.

Conor Kavanagh, 29, is charged with three counts of first-degree Armed Robbery.

An investigation was initiated immediately after the first bank robbery, which took place shortly after 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 13 at the PNC Bank inside the Stop & Shop supermarket on Route 36 in Keyport. At that time, a man later identified as Kavanagh approached a teller window, passed over a note indicating he was in possession of a weapon, and made off with a quantity of cash, leaving the scene in a green Toyota pickup truck.

At approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14, a bank robbery occurred at the Wells Fargo branch on Newman Springs Road in the Lincroft section of Middletown. The bank robbery was committed in identical fashion to the earlier one in Keyport, with the suspect wearing similar clothing, and he left the scene in a green Toyota pickup truck.

Three days later, on Friday, December 17, the Wells Fargo branch on Route 36 in Eatontown was robbed. Again, a suspect passed a note demanding money, indicating that he was in possession of a weapon.

Following the bank robbery in Middletown, Detectives from the Middletown Police Department developed information that led to Kavanagh to being identified as a potential suspect. After the bank robbery in Eatontown, Middletown Detectives and assisting members of the FBI observed Kavanagh driving a green pickup truck that matched the description of the vehicle used in the earlier bank robberies, and placed him under arrest for unrelated charges.

Detectives searched the pickup truck and located proceeds from the Eatontown bank robbery and the clothing the suspect was seen wearing on surveillance footage. They also located information pertaining to a storage unit in Shrewsbury, and a search of that location revealed proceeds from the Keyport and Middletown bank robberies.

Additionally, a search of the cell phone Kavanagh was using contained evidence of online searches for local bank branches.

Kavanagh was lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a first appearance and detention hearing, to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

The Prosecutor’s Office would like to thank its partners with the Eatontown, Keyport, and Middletown police departments, as well as members of the FBI’s Newark office, for their invaluable assistance in this investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan. Information regarding Kavanagh’s legal representation was not immediately available.

Convictions on first-degree criminal charges are commonly punishable by terms of 10 to 20 years in state prison.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law. 

September 1, 2021

FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–An Aberdeen police officer has been arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree official misconduct and related crimes for separate actions he took while on duty earlier this year, acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Wednesday. The defendant, 34-year-old Philip M. Santiago, lives in Keyport.

Santiago is additionally charged with second-degree engaging in a pattern of official misconduct and two counts of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence.

An investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Responsibility and Bias Crime Unit revealed that in January 2021, Santiago intentionally tampered with a law enforcement drug test he had been ordered to take, rendering it unable to be processed.

The investigation further revealed that in May 2021, while on duty, Santiago deleted a video from a cell phone belonging to a suspect who was in custody, having just been arrested by members of the Aberdeen Police Department. The video had depicted the interaction between the suspect and the officers, leading up to his arrest.  

Santiago was sworn in as a police officer in 2018, after previously serving as an emergency dispatcher in Aberdeen. If convicted on the charge of official misconduct, he could face a state prison term of 5 to 10 years, with a minimum of five full years to be served before the possibility of parole.

Santiago turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday, pending a first appearance scheduled to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court. He has been suspended by the Aberdeen Police Department due to these charges.He is being represented by Tracy Riley, Esq., with an office in Marlton.

The case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibility and Bias Crimes Unit.

“The charges being announced today go beyond the mere breaking of laws – they constitute clear and repeated violations of the solemn oath this officer swore to uphold the interests of justice and serve the public good,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. “Such conduct is patently and unequivocally unacceptable among our ranks in law enforcement, and does not represent the majority who serve with honor and integrity.”

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

July 7, 2021

KEYPORT – HAZLET, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Hazlet Police Chief Ted Wittke announced that the subject we have been looking for all day (July 6, 2021) was just taken into custody by Hazlet Police. Numerous officers from multiple jurisdictions including Keyport, Union Beach, Middletown, Matawan, Monmouth County Sheriffs Office and the New Jersey State Police spent the last 7 hours conducting an exhaustive search in the area between Shorelands Cemetery and Airport Plaza. Officers on foot were supplemented by (3) Police K9s, drones, and helicopter.

At 7:21 p.m. we received a call that a subject matching that description was seen behind St. John’s Church. As officers flooded the scene Deputy Chief Robert Mulligan spotted him and took him into custody with the assistance of Sgt. Robert Dickens and Ptl. Megan Quinn.

We are thankful for all of the support we received from our Bayshore, County and State partners today. We are also thankful that we were able to take this potentially dangerous person off the street.

Keyport Police reported the incident earlier yesterday that they looking for a white male wearing a red hat in his 51years old gray /white hair armed with a knife wanted for questioning for aggravated assault at the Stop n Shop.

February 10, 2021

By: Tyler Eckel

KEYPORT (MONMOUTH)– A Keyport man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for illegally possessing an assault rifle, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Ahmed A-Hady, 36, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Judge Hayden imposed the sentence by videoconference today.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Dec. 10, 2019, there was a mass shooting in Jersey City in which a Jersey City Police Officer and three civilians were shot and killed by a male (Individual 1) and a female (Individual 2). After the shooting, law enforcement recovered a handwritten note from Individual 1’s right rear pants pocket that contained a telephone number ending in 4115 and a Keyport, New Jersey, address. Law enforcement also recovered several weapons possessed by Individuals 1 and 2, including an AR-15 rifle.

FBI agents determined that the phone number ending in 4115 contained on the note belonged to A-Hady. Law enforcement also determined that the Keyport address listed on the note was a storefront for a pawn shop. On the evening of Dec. 13, 2019, law enforcement officers traveled to the pawnshop and interviewed A-Hady and two of his relatives.

Law enforcement officers lawfully searched both the pawnshop and A-Hady’s private residence and recovered multiple rifles, handguns, and one shotgun. During the searches of the pawnshop and A-Hady’s private residence, law enforcement also recovered over 400 rounds of ammunition, including a large number of hollow point bullets.

One of the weapons recovered from the pawnshop was a Sig Sauer .22 caliber rifle capable of accepting a large capacity magazine. Records showed that A-Hady purchased this rifle in Florida on Oct. 23, 2012, approximately five months after A-Hady was convicted in New Jersey Superior Court of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Hayden sentenced A-Hady to three years of supervised release. A-Hady forfeited his interest, if any, in the firearms recovered during the search of the pawnshop.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark; the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. Acting U.S. Attorney Honig also thanked the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Ronnell Wilson, Chief of the National Security Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean C. Sovolos and Thomas S. Kearney, of the National Security Unit.

October 8, 2020

Visit: https://www.monmouthcountyvotes.com/ for the latest voting information in Monmouth County

FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–As you may be aware, this year’s November General Election in New Jersey is being conducted primarily by mail-in ballots, per State mandate. On November 3, 2020, Election Day, limited polling locations will be open for voting on paper provisional ballots only, except for disabled voters. 

Voters across Monmouth County are receiving their mail-in ballots this week and are encouraged to contact the County Clerk’s Election Office at 732-431-7790, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with any questions about the delivery of their ballots. 

Due to this unprecedented change in our election process, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon has provided a comprehensive webpage on MonmouthCountyVotes.com, explaining this year’s election process.

In addition, our office has provided video tutorials, including an animated step-by-step video informing Monmouth County voters of how to properly complete and return their mail-in ballots. The tutorial also explains how the paper ballots are reviewed and verified by the Monmouth County Board of Elections.

The video can be viewed on our Facebook and YouTube pages. We encourage you to share this important information with your friends and neighbors.

Election Hotline Established to Secure Election Integrity

To help ensure free and fair elections in Monmouth County, the County Election Offices and Prosecutor’s Office have established an election hotline. To report any issues of voter fraud or misconduct in Monmouth County, residents can call the County Prosecutor’s Office hotline at 855-786-5878.

“Our democratic system of government depends on free and fair elections and, as such, election integrity and security is important to all of us,” said County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni and County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon. “For these reasons, our offices are working together to further safeguard the electoral process.”

• Monday, October 12th: All County Offices closed in observance of Columbus Day
• Tuesday, October 13th: Voter Registration Deadline for the November General Election
• Friday, October 30th: Application Deadline for General Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters 
• Tuesday, November 3rd: General Election Day!
• Tuesday, November 3rd at 8 p.m.: Close of the polls; Deadline to deliver mail-in ballot by U.S. Postal Service mail, Drop Box, or in-person to the County Board of Elections at 300 Halls Mill Road in Freehold or at assigned Polling Place.

Monmouth County Secure Ballot Dropbox Locations:

Firearm, Along with Other Weapons and Ammunition, Found at Locations Connected to Perpetrator of Jersey City Mass Shooting

Ahmed A-Hady, 36, of Keyport

October 7, 2020

NEWARK, NJ –A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man today admitted illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Ahmed A-Hady, 36, of Keyport, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Court Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Dec. 10, 2019, there was a mass shooting in Jersey City in which two individuals, David Nathaniel Anderson and Francine Graham, killed three civilians after earlier killing a law enforcement officer. After the shooting, law enforcement recovered from Anderson’s right rear pants pocket a handwritten note that contained a telephone number ending in 4115, and a Keyport, New Jersey, address. Law enforcement also recovered several weapons carried by Anderson and Graham, including an AR-15 rifle.

FBI agents determined that the phone number ending in 4115 contained on the note belonged to A-Hady. Law enforcement also determined that the Keyport address listed on the note was a storefront for a pawn shop. On the evening of Dec. 13, 2019, law enforcement officers traveled to the pawnshop and interviewed A-Hady and two of his relatives.

Law enforcement lawfully searched both the pawnshop and A-Hady’s private residence. During the search of the pawnshop, law enforcement recovered multiple rifles, handguns, and one shotgun. In addition, during the searches of the pawnshop and A-Hady’s private residence, law enforcement recovered over 400 rounds of ammunition, including a large number of hollow point bullets.

One of the weapons recovered from the pawnshop was a Sig Sauer .22 caliber rifle capable of accepting a large capacity magazine. Records showed that A-Hady purchased this rifle in Florida on Oct. 23, 2012, a time when he, as a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms. The purchase of this rifle came approximately five months after A-Hady was convicted in New Jersey Superior Court of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.

As part of the guilty plea, A-Hady also agreed to forfeit his interest, if any, in the firearms recovered during the search of the pawnshop.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark; the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to the plea. U.S. Attorney Carpenito also thanked the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronnell Wilson, Chief of the National Security Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean C. Sovolos and Thomas S. Kearney, also of the National Security Unit.

20-346

Defense counsel: David Jay Glassman Esq., Marlton, New Jersey

September 22, 2020

ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–An Allentown resident told MidJersey.News that around 11 pm last night a delivery crew installed a Vote-By-Mail Drop Box in front of Allentown at Borough Hall on Main Street. There are currently 17 Vote-By-Mail Drop Box locations for Monmouth County, this is the furthest west serving Western Monmouth County.

A current list of Vote-By-Mail Drop Box locations for Monmouth County can be found here.

Pursuant to State law, the November 3, 2020 General Election will be conducted primarily by Mail-In Ballot in New Jersey.

If you wish to place your Mail-In Ballot in a secure drop box, below are the locations throughout the County which will be available starting the week of September 15. Addresses in the list below are clickable and will bring up Google Maps.

Voters can drop their voted Mail-In Ballot into these Board of Elections Drop Boxes anywhere in the County up until 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020. You do not have to be a resident of the town where the drop box is located. Be advised that these drop boxes are under video surveillance and are monitored by the Monmouth County Board of Elections, which can be reached at 732-431-7802.

For more information about the General Election process, click here.

Allentown Borough Hall Vote-By-Mail Drop Box arrived at 11 pm last night.

April 9, 2020

FREEHOLD, NJ – On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley held a press conference today to provide updates on the COVID-19 situation and additional support that the County will supply the business community.

“Since the start of the Take Out in Monmouth initiative last week, we have complied well over 750 businesses, which can be found at www.takeoutinmonmouth.com,” said Freeholder Director Arnone, liaison to the Divisions of Economic Development and Tourism. “Today, we are now adding breweries and wineries to this online list to further boost the local economy. These business owners are our friends, neighbors and community leaders and we owe our support to these individuals and their employees during this difficult time.”

Visit http://takeoutinmounmouth.com https://co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?ID=5029 for further local listings.

Visit the Screaming Hill Brewery page for barnside pickup. Orders placed the day before will be ready the next day for pickup. Try the “Blood Orange” a midjersey.news favorite.

Visit Screamin Hill our local farm fresh brewery for barn side pickup. Remember to place order the day before for pickup the next day.

Heavenly Havens Has Ice Cream Takeout Window:

LaPiazza Delivers now, you might be lucky enough to have DJ Nebbs deliver for you:

Together, Monmouth County municipalities, local chambers as well as the County Divisions of Economic Development and Tourism continue to research and identify all food grocers, breweries, wineries and restaurants open. While the County works to maintain an updated list, email [email protected] to be listed or request a change in listing.

“As a result of mounting cases and more and more residents becoming increasingly frightened to leave their own home, the Monmouth County Aging Disability Resource Center has prepared the COVID-19 Resource Guide to assist seniors and residents with disabilities who may be struggling to acquire basic needs during this health pandemic,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Kiley, liaison to the Department of Human Services. “The County has been extensively collaborating with local officials and the guide will be frequently updated to reflect the most current services and resources offered by municipality.”

In addition to Monmouth County ADRC (Aging Disability Resource Center), Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Communities Through Services) has been directing residents to Monmouth Resource Net, an online directory of community and health resources and services, information about residential mortgage relief as well as mental health support.

The Freeholders also discussed the Executive Order signed on Thursday, April 7 by the Governor, closing all Monmouth County parks indefinitely.

“I would like to publicly state that I do not support the indefinite closure of all county parks in New Jersey. I also find it unacceptable that we have no input as to when they will reopen. There are a number of options that could have been considered as an alternative to completely closing county parks, including limiting hours, days, et cetera,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has felt, throughout this entire pandemic, that our County parks are essential for our residents’ mental health and a great choice for passive recreation. I promise that we will open our parks immediately as soon as the Executive Order is lifted.”

All public is restricted from parks and golf courses. Park and golf course entrances and parking lots are gated or barricaded and visitors who gain park access by foot or bike will be directed to leave, as the parks will still be patrolled. Marina services are suspended but owners will have access to their boats.

Monmouth County news updates and information regarding the COVID-19 situation are posted at www.visitmonmouth.com.

All State and County Parks are closed in NJ. Some local parks are closed and some local parks are open, check with each town because status changes daily.

April 4, 2020

Corona-Party––”we were met with well wishes of “F-the police” and “Welcome to Nazi Germany” from this group of “40-50 year old ADULTS”.

RUMSON, NJ (MONMOUTH)–via the Rumson Police Facebook Page:

***NO CORONA PARTIES***

PINK FLOYD LIVE FROM RUMSON!

This evening the Rumson Police Department received an unfortunate call about a group of 30 people on the front lawn of a house on Blackpoint Rd. near Wood Ln. When our patrols arrived we were met by a group of approx. 30 “40-50” year old ADULTS who were located in the middle of Blackpoint Rd and on the front law attending an acoustic concert of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits. (Some even brought lawn chairs)

The impromptu concert was performed by two guitarists equipped with microphones and amplifiers who were also broadcasting the concert via facebook live.

When we informed everyone that they must leave–in accordance with Governor Murphy’s executive orders regarding these so called “corona-parties”–we were met with well wishes of “F-the police” and “Welcome to Nazi Germany” from this group of “40-50 year old ADULTS”.

As the old saying goes, in the midst of all this chaos, the band still played on, that is until they were advised in the middle of the 1975 classic “Wish you were here”, that they must stop the show.

Sadly i’m sure we all “wish we could be here”, and the Rumson Police Department takes no enjoyment in ruining any ones fun! However we ALL have a responsibility to take this pandemic SERIOUSLY and adhere to the social distancing requirement.
We also need to be a good role model for our children and be kind and understanding during these times.

Please use this incident as a learning experience for everyone! If we have to respond to another “corona party” we will be using a zero tolerance approach. and everyone involved will be charged with Disorderly Conduct. We are all in this together and together we need to make smarter choices.

Tonight our waterfront was shut down due to a large crowd gathering . Your safety is always our first priority. We have closed off the parking lots and are asking non- residents to please not travel to our waterfront as per the governors executive order. We will not be reopening our parking lots to ensure the safety of the public and also our employees, who are still out there being called upon to help remind everyone to social distance and do your part to stop the spread of Covid-19. Thank you for your cooperation.

This is still a developing story keep checking MidJersey.news for further updates:

February 17, 2021

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)– An email from Rider University to students, faculty and staff about the incident MidJersey.news brought to you earlier:

This afternoon we issued a stay in place order to students, faculty and staff after receiving a threat we deemed credible and dangerous to the campus community. A former employee of a campus contractor called the University this afternoon and made a direct threat to harm former colleagues on campus. This was the same individual whom we contacted students, faculty and staff about yesterday, believing he potentially posed a risk to our community after he issued a related threat of violence on Feb. 16, one that was not specific to any individual. After receiving this more direct threat today, Lawrence Township Police and Trenton Police, working with Public Safety, immediately responded and quickly placed the individual in custody at his place of residence. The swift action of law enforcement led to Rider lifting the stay in place order in less than an hour.Rider has also issued a Persona Non Grata letter to this individual, which prohibits them from entering or being on University property. Public Safety will continue to have an increased presence on campus.  Rider’s top priority is to keep our campus community safe. The precautionary and protective measures taken over the past two days were meant to achieve that goal. We’re grateful for the work of law enforcement and Public Safety and the cooperation of our campus community during this incident. Please know that if we conclude it is not safe to come to campus or to be moving about campus, we will communicate that to you. The first message we sent last night was based on less specific, but still concerning, information. Our assessment of that information led to our putting our community on notice of a person of concern. Today’s threat was much more directed and imminent, such that we issued a shelter in place order, directing everyone on campus to remain in place until further notice so as not to potentially be in harm’s way.In an emergency situation, when information is often not available in abundance, we will always err on the side of caution and issue immediate directives via RiderAlert to students, faculty and staff to help ensure their safety. We will make our best assessment in that moment, focusing on immediate safety, and provide additional information as it becomes available.  

Our main way to communicate urgent information during an emergency is through Rider Alert, our electronic notification system for students, faculty and staff. We will almost always utilize text messaging in an emergency, as it is the fastest and most efficient way to disseminate information. If you did not receive a Rider Alert message during this incident, please contact Debbie Stasolla at [email protected]. 

Thank you again for your cooperation, patience and understanding. We will continue to share relevant new information as it becomes available. 

Earlier MidJersey.News story here: DEVELOPING: Shelter In Place Order At Rider University Has Been Lifted, Sources Say One In Custody, PD Says Criminal Charges Expected

Links to The Rider News a student run news organization:

MidJersey.news update here: UPDATE: Rider University Email To Students Faculty and Staff About Earlier Stay In Place Order Involving Credible Threat

February 17, 2021

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Lawrence Township Police Department can confirm that there were shelter in place instructions given to the Rider University community by the school administration on 02 17 2021. The shelter in place order has since been lifted by the school administration and there is no longer any type of threat to the Rider University community. The Lawrence Township Police Department can confirm that both incidents are connected. The investigation is ongoing at this time and criminal charges are expected to be filed, Lawrence Township Police told a MidJersey.news reporter.

The Rider News, a student run news paper, has reported on a potentially dangerous ex-employee of campus contractor involved in this shelter in place order.

MidJersey.news has several sources confirming that one suspect is in custody involved in this incident.

MidJersey.news is expecting a press release from Rider University soon on the situation so please check back as this is a developing story.

Rider University Facebook Photo

February 17, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The City of Trenton, in collaboration with Isles Inc., a nonprofit community development and environmental organization that works to foster self-reliance and healthy, sustainable communities, will soon launch a multi-service electric vehicle program to improve resident mobility and increase access to jobs, healthcare, and new opportunities while addressing public health challenges imposed by greenhouse gases and air pollution.

The program seeks to provide transportation services in three phases:

• An electric carsharing service that will allow residents to rent vehicles for designated periods.
• An electric ridesharing service that will hire local drivers, support local businesses and improve residents’ mobility and access to essential resources.
• An electric shuttle service that will connect residents to jobs and create a network of community organizations to expand social, health, and financial services.

The project includes modifying infrastructure for Trenton and installing charging stations at site locations, identified in partnership with the City of Trenton Planning Board. The installation of these charging stations also received unanimous support by City Council on April 2, 2020.

This ambitious project has been possible due to collaboration with ChargEVC, the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, and Environment New Jersey. These statewide organizations were awarded an opportunity to workshop an e-mobility project with Rocky Mountain Institute. The workshop brought together brainpower from all over the country to help chart a plan to make Trenton’s e-mobility a reality. Today, the project is one step closer thanks to support from the Murphy Administration and the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which recently announced awards of $883,000 to support the project.

According to the Trenton 250 Master Plan, approximately 30 percent of Trenton households are car-free, and 21 percent of residents reported relying on carpooling as a primary mode of transportation for commuting to work. While the program is open to all, its development will prioritize providing reliable and affordable transportation options to low-income residents who may not have access to a personal vehicle.

“We are thrilled to work with Isles on addressing what has historically been one of our community’s greatest challenges,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Many of our residents lack reliable transportation, which prevents them from accepting employment opportunities, getting their children to school on time, or even seeing a healthcare provider. I believe this project will meaningfully address those needs and possibly serve as a model for other cities to follow. I’d like to also thank ChargEVC, the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, Environment New Jersey and the NJDEP for lending critical expertise and funding for the project.”

“I’m so excited to see this program launched here in Trenton; we know from many years of community meetings and engaging residents in various plans that access to transportation is a major challenge for Trentonians,” said Dan Fatton, Chair of the City of Trenton Planning Board. “This program provides one solution to that problem and the City can expand access to clean transportation options, giving people more options to get around without increasing pollution.”

Notably, the program will reduce air pollution in the city, where residents face health challenges at a higher rate than their Mercer county counterparts. “Trenton’s asthma rate is three times the state average, and accounts for 76% of all asthma-related ER visits in Mercer County, despite being only 23% of the population,” says Isles CEO Sean Jackson. “This program is an important step towards making Trenton’s air cleaner while increasing transportation options for Trenton residents. And while this program is local to Trenton, we see this pilot as an opportunity to inform future clean transportation investments that prioritize building equity throughout the state.”

The City of Trenton and Isles will issue RFPs later this month and welcome vendors to apply. While the city will own the charging infrastructure, Isles will spearhead the project’s program development and operations.

To inform the development of this community-driven program, Isles has solicited feedback from residents and community organizations for the past year. “We learned that similar to our experience, many community organizations throughout the city struggle with extending their social, health, and financial services to residents due to lack of affordable and reliable transportation options,” says Katharina Miguel, Clean Energy Advocate who is leading the program at Isles. “Our goal is to close that gap and build wealth and health in the city. We encourage community organizations that believe this would be helpful for their services to reach out to us, and we will also be executing an extensive outreach plan.”

Isles also hosted the program’s first listening session earlier in January and will continue to host sessions within the upcoming months to learn how these services can best benefit Trentonians. Both Katharina Miguel and Peg Hannah from NJDEP will speak about the program at Environment New Jersey’s webinar on Wednesday, February 17 at 2 p.m. ChargeEVC, Environment New Jersey, and the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition will continue to support the development of the project by providing technical assistance, research, and organizing expertise.

When available, RFPs will be posted on the City of Trenton website at https://www.trentonnj.org/230/Division-of-Purchasing and Isles website at https://isles.org/about-us/job-openings/.

• Photo by Chad Russell on Pexels.com

Stock photo of EV charging station

Bipartisan legislation would improve ride-share safety

February 17, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC — With an eye toward a post-COVID easing of restrictions and a return to economic normalcy, a group of bipartisan lawmakers are determined to establish timely and much-needed safety protections for Americans who will be using rideshare companies to help them get to work, school, appointments or social events.

   Authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with lead Democrat cosponsor, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Sami’s Law will require transportation networking companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft to deploy a verifiable digital access system to match drivers with passengers before the ride begins to enhance safety for the ride-hailing public. A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Ben Cardin (D-MD) later this month.

   The legislation, HR 1082, is named in honor of Samantha “Sami” Josephson—who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by a predator pretending to be her Uber driver near the University of South Carolina just months prior to her graduation in 2019.

   “We must establish safety protocols and accountability in the system to protect rideshare customers who remain extremely vulnerable,” said Smith, who represents Sami’s hometown of Robbinsville, NJ.  “As the nation looks to emerge from COVID restrictions, there will likely be a surge in travel and general activities, and thus a corresponding urgency to protect those who rely on Uber and Lyft services.”

   Underscoring the dangers, Smith cited Sami’s tragic murder and pointed to a report released by Uber that found over a two-year period, 2017 to 2018, the company received 5,981 allegations of serious sexual assault in the United States, and 19 people were killed in physical assaults during or soon after an Uber ride.  He also cited a 2019 CNN report that revealed that Lyft has been hit with multiple driver rape and sexual assault allegations. 

   “No family should have to endure what the Josephson’s have” Rep. Suozzi said. We can’t stop every family tragedy, but hopefully Sami’s law will establish safety protocols that protect Uber, Lyft and other rideshare customers.”

   Seymour and Marci Josephson, Sami’s parents, created the #WHATSMYNAME Foundation in ‘‘honor of their daughter to educate the world on rideshare safety.” They also came up with the idea for the legislation to help ensure no one else loses their life or is assaulted by a rideshare driver or a predator pretending to be their driver.

   Last year, after painstaking negotiations with Smith, the Josephsons, congressional leaders, and  Uber and Lyft, Sami’s Law unanimously passed the House with the strong support of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. The bill garnered the support of key Senate leaders, but time ran out in the Senate before unanimous consent could be achieved.

   “Lives are at stake and people, especially women, who use rideshare services are vulnerable to sexual assault and other crimes,” Smith said. “The Josephsons have made great progress educating rideshare customers about potential dangers, but none of us will rest until the modest and effective Sami’s Law protocols are enacted and the public is better protected.”

   Sami’s Law not only sets safety requirements for today’s technology and a process for successor technology performance standards, it also:

• establishes a 17-member advisory council that reports to the Secretary of Transportation—SAMI’s Council—comprised of federal agency and public stakeholders to advance safety standards in the rideshare industry;
• makes it unlawful to sell, or offer for sale, ride-share signage, making it more difficult for imposters like Sami’s murderer to pose as a driver;
• requires a GAO report on the incidence of assault and abuse of both passengers and drivers;
• requires that the GAO also examine the nature and specifics of “background” checks conducted by companies and the varying standards set by States regarding background checks.

   Other original cosponsors of the bill include: Reps. James Clyburn (D-SC), the Democratic Whip; Joe Wilson (R-SC); Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ); and Albio Sires (D-NJ).  The new bill is already endorsed by two groups which originally opposed the legislation last Congress.

   “We thank and commend Representative Smith for working closely with us in crafting this legislation, which will provide a fully nonvisual method for blind and deafblind passengers to identify and verify rideshare trips,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “Personal safety is a top priority for our movement and we urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation.”

“The National Sheriffs’ Association supports Sami’s Law… all users of ridesharing programs should have a reasonable expectation of safety, which this bill addresses for both passengers and drivers,” said Jonathan F. Thompson, Executive Director and CEO of the National Sheriffs’ Association.

Smith and Suozzi both testified on Sami’s Law at a Transportation Committee hearing in 2019 (pictured above) and spoke on the House floor when Sami’s Law passed on July 29, 2020.  Click here to read Smith’s 2020 floor statement. Click here to watch video of the October 2019 hearing.  Click here to read Rep. Suozzi’s 2019 hearing statement.

Sydney, Seymour and Marci Josephson, with Rep. Chris Smith who has authored “Sami’s Law” on a Federal level and has passed the House in July, at the run/walk the morning of September 26, 2020. Smith continues to fight for “Sami’s Law”

February 17, 2021

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton, NJ, is pleased to announce new RWJUH Hamilton Foundation Board leaders and members, who assumed their new roles in January 2021. Yolanda Zaffutti Stinger, formerly the Foundation Board’s Vice Chair, ascended to the position of Chair; Foundation Board member Mary Pucciarelli took on the role of Vice Chair; and the Board welcomed two new members, Ryan Kennedy and Christina Spinelli.

Lifelong Hamilton resident Yolanda Zaffutti Stinger has been a committed member of the RWJUH Hamilton Foundation for over a decade; as Vice Chair, she was a natural fit for the Chair position. In addition to her work with RWJUH Hamilton, Stinger is involved in a variety of other community-oriented organizations.  “Giving back to the community is so important to me,” she says.

In her new role as Vice Chair, Mary Pucciarelli of Brielle, NJ, a decade-long Foundation Board member, enthusiastically continues her dedication to the RWJUH Hamilton Foundation, which supports the programs and patients of the hospital. “I’ve been so proud,” says Pucciarelli of her tenure with the Foundation, “to work with so many people from the Hamilton community.”

New Board members Ryan Kennedy of Hopewell Borough, NJ, and Christina Spinelli of Hamilton, NJ – a former member of the hospital’s Young Professionals Group (YPG) – are enthusiastic about their upcoming efforts on behalf of the Foundation, as well. With the ascensions of Stinger and Pucciarelli to their new positions and the additions Kennedy and Spinelli, the Foundation Board will continue its work to contribute to the evolution of RWJUH Hamilton in order to best serve its community.  Former Foundation Board Chair and Chair-elect of the hospital Board, Nina Melker, says, “I know we have built a strong Foundation Board. These changes will continue to bring us forward and help us grow.”

February 17, 2021

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Just after 11:00 am Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched to 532 Route 537-Monmouth Road for a fire on a roof of a commercial building with reported smoke and flames visible. Mutual Aid fire departments from Hope Fire Company-Allentown, Plumstead Township-New Egypt Fire Company, Jackson Township and Monroe Township were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival firefighters reported light smoke and fire from the roof and were able to quickly knock the fire down bringing it under control within minutes. Initial radio reports are that workers on the roof making repairs caught the roofing materials on fire using a torch. The fire is under investigation by the Millstone Township Fire Marshal’s Office and no additional details are available at this time. Firefighters remained on scene for at least an hour for overhaul and checking for hot spots. Thanks to a quick response and extinguishment by firefighters, the business was expected to reopen shortly with almost no business interruption.

December 23, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Just prior to 7:00 p.m. the Trenton Fire Department was dispatched to 65 Prospect Street for a smoke condition in the parking lot of the old “Life Comm” EMS communications center. Upon arrival firefighters reported heavy smoke from the building and placed three handlines in service. Firefighters had the bulk of the fire knocked down at 7:16 and the fire was officially under control at 7:38 p.m. Trenton Fire Department requested a Fire Marshal to the scene as well as Trenton Police Arson Investigators. No further information is available at this time.

A person who used to work for the communications center said the administration moved out in 2014 and the building has been vacant since.

November 13, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Trenton Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call for a building about to collapse on Tyler Street by Hudson Street at 11:30 am.

Trenton firefighters arrived and noticed that the building had severe structural damage and was ready to collapse and the building was occupied at the time. Firefighters evacuated the building and placed put plenty of caution tape around the collapse zone. The building department was notified and was responding. There was no additional information available or how the situation was mitigated.

Photos and video by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News

The Trenton Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call for a building about to collapse on Tyler Street by Hudson Street at 11:30 am. Photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News

None of the Patrons Wore Protective Masks or Observed Social Distancing

November 13, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley today announced the Nov. 6, 2020 arrest of six individuals who allegedly operated an illegal nightclub on 318 S. Broad Street.

The arrests were carried out following an investigation by the Violent Crimes Rapid Response Unit (VCRRU), which was responding to reports of an illegal night club operating every Saturday night past 3:00 a.m. At the time of the arrests, none of the patrons were wearing protective masks or observing social distancing.

Nyvonne Fahnbulleh, 38, of West Windsor, N.J.; Richardo Wedderburn, 46, of Levittown P.A.; Mechann Pennoh, 45, of Morrisville, P.A.; Lisha Phillips, 51, of Hamilton, N.J.; and Keyonna Chambliss, 37, of Trenton, were each charged with selling alcohol without a license. Steve Dasman Jr., 22, of Trenton, was charged with working security without a license.

“Illegal nightclubs like this one disadvantage our many legitimate businesses that are trying to make an honest living while keeping their patrons safe from COVID-19,” said Director Coley. “With Trenton cases spiking rapidly at this moment, the Trenton Police Department will not hesitate to break up any establishment that recklessly puts profit over safety.”

Prior to the arrests, detectives had conducted surveillance of a non-descript commercial building at 318 S. Broad Street. At approximately 11:00 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2020, members of the VCRRU and patrol officers entered the premises and found that the first floor was being used as a nightclub, which included a dance floor, bar area, and kitchen.

Six individuals, including the security guard working the front door, were arrested. Officers ejected 57 patrons and confiscated numerous bottles of alcohol and $3,276 in cash. Not only did officers find that none of the patrons were wearing masks or observing social distancing, the building is suspected of having numerous code violations, including electrical, sprinkler, and fire alarm issues.

Trenton COVID-19 infection rates currently exceed county and state levels and are doubling every week, showing a similiar rate of growth as the first wave of the virus earlier this year. 

These charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This is an ongoing investigation.

The lead investigator is Detective Christopher Franicevich, supervised by Lieutenant Darren Zappley.

• Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley file photo

Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley today announced the Nov. 6, 2020 arrest of six individuals who allegedly operated an illegal nightclub on 318 S. Broad Street.

November 13, 2020

EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)—Sergeant Lawrence Peele from the New Jersey State Police Public Information Bureau told MidJersey.News —

That a crash occurred at 11:53 p.m. last evening on the New Jersey Turnpike, northbound inner roadway in East Windsor Township, Mercer County. 

Preliminary information indicates that in the area of milepost 66.8, a Lincoln Town Car was involved in a crash and was disabled in the roadway. 

A Jeep Cherokee traveling northbound then struck the disabled Lincoln.  Two rear seat passengers of the Lincoln were pronounced dead at the scene, the driver and front passenger sustained serious injuries.  The driver of the Jeep sustained minor injuries. 

The inner roadway was closed for approximately 6 hours. 

Crash remains under investigation.  

See Last night’s MidJersey.News story here: BREAKING: MCI, Crash With Fire On NJ Turnpike Prior To Exit 8 – Several Critical Injuries

See Last night’s MidJersey.News story here: BREAKING: MCI, Crash With Fire On NJ Turnpike Prior To Exit 8 – Several Critical Injuries

November 13, 2020 updated at 10:35 am with official statement from Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and cause changed to “stabbing” 3:50 pm update with victim’s name:

The victim of this morning’s homicide in Trenton has been identified as Sam Livingston III, age 41, of Trenton.  There are no additional updates at this time.

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—Early this morning in a live video shared on Facebook, Ed Forchion the NJ Weedman was going to a bank ATM  a few blocks from NJ Weedman’s Joint in “Unit 420” in the area of W. State and S. Warren when he noticed a man at a bus stop not moving.

Once finished at the ATM on his way back Forchion stated that he noticed the man still had not moved and was in the exact same spot and Forchion called 9-1-1 to report the man down. He also stated he seen a whole bunch of people riding by and turned around because it was bothering him that that the man was just laying out there.

The police turned the man over in the video and Forchion noticed a lot of blood in the area of his stomach. A Trenton EMS ambulance arrived a short time later and started CPR. NJ Weedman before ending the video thought the man had been stabbed and that the wound was fatal.

Ed Forchion the NJ Weedman was going to a bank ATM  a few blocks from NJ Weedman’s Joint in “Unit 420” in the area of W. State and S. Warren when he noticed a man at a bus stop not moving. File photo of “Unit 420” by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News

In a statement received by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office this morning they state that, early Friday morning, at approximately 1 a.m., Trenton patrol officers were alerted to an unresponsive male at a bus stop in the first block of West State Street.  The victim, believed to be in his 30s, suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The stabbing in under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force.  Anyone with information is asked to call (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].

The victim’s identity will be released after positive identification and family notification are made.

In the City of Trenton there have been 36 known murders so far in 2020 this eclipses the murder rate off all years except for 2013 when there was 37 murders that year. Of those 36 homicides there have been 34 shootings and 2 stabbings this year.

Another murder occurred in the area on August 17, 2020 at E. State one block away.

Another murder occurred in the area on August 17, 2020 at E. State one block away. File photo by: Photo by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News

TPD file photo

The names of the Trenton dead of 2020:

Say their names:

1. January 30, 2020, Starquasia Harris, 24, shooting
2. February 16, 2020, Maurice London, 39, shooting
3. March 23, 2020, Danavan Phillips, 37, shooting
4. March 25, 2020, Yuell Moore, 29, shooting
5. April 5, 2020 Quamiera Massey, 24, shooting
6. April 5, 2020 Dabree Brannon, 30, shooting
7. April 5, 2020 Frederick Mason, 20, shooting
8. May 14, 2020, pronounced dead May 21, 2020 Terrence Horton, 53, shooting
9. May 17, 2020, Robert Smith, 38, shooting
10. May 18, 2020 Antwuan Bowens, 44, shooting
11. May 18, 2020 Tayvion Jones, 18, shooting
12. May 21, 2020 Raheen McKinnon 19, shooting
13. May 23, 2020, Watson Cogdell, 58, shooting
14.  May 30, 2020 Tyrone Campbell, 45, shooting
15. June 2, 2020 Dontae Barnes, shooting
16. June 21, 2020, Robert Neal, 34, stabbing
17. July 1, 2020, Covvie Scott, 24, shooting
18. July 8, 2020, Richard Guarderas, 18, shooting
19. July 8, 2020, Malcom L. Bowser, 19, shooting 
20. July 15, 2020, Jason Phillips, 23, shooting
21. July 17, 2020, Luis Gonzalez, 37, shooting
22. August 2, 2020 died August 5, 2020, Jolisa Marshall, 28, shooting (of Hamilton)
23. August 9, 2020, William Irrizarry, 18, shooting
24. August 9, 2020, Julius Vargas, 18, shooting
25. August 17, 2020, Rahkeem Ortiz, 29, shooting
26. August 21, 2020, pronounced dead August 22, Vernetta McCray, 39, drive by shooting
27. August 25, 2020, Shamira Williams, 32, stabbing
28. August 29, 2020, Tybree Washington, 24, shooting
29. October 2, 2020, Hussain Abdullah, 35, shooting
30. October 5, 2020, Derek Colley, 26, Shooting
31. October 10, 2020, Ola Williams, 61, Shooting
32. October 10, 2020, Jaquise Melvin, 26, Shooting
33. October 16, 2020 from shooting on October 9, Rudy Alvira Jr.
34. October 20, 2020, Johnny Perez, 8, Shooting
35. October 20, 2020, Gustavo Perez, 16
36. November 13, 2020, Sam Livingston III, age 41, stabbing
37. X Trenton’s record of homicides in 2013
38. x

Not in NJ but across the river in Falls Township, Pennsylvania May 24, 2020 Davon Frink, 25, shooting at a Holiday Inn Express at a Trenton party held there.

Trenton Murders Per Year Since 1989

NJ State Police Uniform Crime Report available here: https://www.njsp.org/ucr/uniform-crime-reports.shtml

1989 = 22

1990 = 21

1991 = 7

1992 = 16

1993 = 11

1994 = 9

1995 = 16

1996 = 14

1997 = 12

1998 = 15

1999 = 8

2000 = 14

2001 = 13

2002 = 19

2003 = 13

2004 = 18

2005 = 31

2006 = 18

2007 = 25

2008 = 19

2009 = 18

2010 = 15

2011 = 23

2012 = 24

2013 = 37

2014 = 32

2015 = 17

2016 = 21

2017 = 23

2018 = 16

2019 = 15

2020 = 36* current number as of November 13, 2020* (Not available yet from NJSP statistics)

* Prior to 1989 the known highest murder number was 1970 with 27

See MidJersey.News update here: Update: 2 Dead, 2 Serious and 1 Minor Injury In Fiery Crash On NJ Turnpike Last Night

November 13, 2020

EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–A fiery crash left several with life threatening injuries tonight on the New Jersey Turnpike at Mile Marker 67 North Bound inner roadway (car lanes) prior to Exit 8. The crash was reported just before midnight at 11:56 pm., (November 12) reporting multiple vehicles involved and on fire with entrapment. Initially Robbinsville Township Fire Department and Hightstown Fire Company along with EMS from Robbinsville, Hightstown and Cranbury were sent to the scene. Upon arrival a MCI was called (Mass Casualty Incident) because of reports of how many injured additional paramedics from Capital Health and multiple ambulances were sent to the scene.

From radio reports there appeared to be at least 5 to 7 injures reported in the crash with 3 being life threating.

New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority have the inner roadway closed from the split in Florence to Exit 8 in the North Bound direction for the accident investigation and clean up. The New Jersey State Police Serious Accident Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.

This is a breaking news report and an email was sent to the NJ State Police Public Information Bureau for official details. Information contained in this preliminary breaking news report is unofficial and subject to change. Once official information is received the story will be updated with current information and any corrections made.

Crash investigation on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound South of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) All lanes closed to traffic and diverted to northbound outer roadway between Split and Interchange 8 https://t.co/quzacVxCl1

— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) November 13, 2020

Crash and Overturned vehicle and Vehicle fire on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound South of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) All lanes blocked – traffic diverted to northbound outer roadway from the Split through Inte https://t.co/NfyObCAq1S

— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) November 13, 2020

Crash with Injuries and Overturned vehicle on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound South of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) All lanes blocked – all traffic diverted to northbound outer roadway from the Split through Int https://t.co/efrbOZkT9L

— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) November 13, 2020