HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton Flags For Heroes is on display in front of RWJ University Hospital at Hamilton Until November 19, 2021.
The Rotary reported that 80+ volunteers helped raise 300 patriotic flags in tribute to this year’s Flags For Heroes Heroes. ONE Project Service Club of Robbinsville HS, Sewa International USA Youth Organization (www.sewausa.org) and Mercer County Military Action Council helped the Rotary setting up the display.
A community celebration of Flags for Heroes is scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. on the grounds of Robert Wood Johnson University (RWJU) Hospital at the intersection of Klockner Road and Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road, Hamilton. The public ceremony will include a short program with guest speakers and community leaders, including Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin.
Flag sponsorships were purchased by area residents and businesses through the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton to honor heroes in their lives, including members of the military, COVID-19 essential workers, family members and others. Medallions with heartfelt messages from the sponsors to their heroes are attached to the flags, which are flying on the hospital grounds – a football field long – from Nov. 1-19.
A portion of the proceeds from flag sponsorships will be provided to the Mercer County Military Action Council (MCMAC) to help service members travel home for the holidays.
October 31, 2021 — Updated
Update: Man Dies From Early Morning Halloween Shooting In Trenton
Update from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office:
A shooting occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. in front of Diamond in the Rough bar in the 500 block of Lamberton Street. Police responded to a Shot Spotter activation at that location and arrived to find an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he is in critical condition. A second adult male victim was brought into Fuld hospital with gunshot wound to the neck. He is in stable condition.
The incident is being investigated by the Shooting Response Team and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force.
UPDATE: A Trenton Police Department spokesperson told MidJersey.News that two individuals were shot. One was shot in the head and is extremely critical and the other was shot in the neck and is responsive. No further details were available at this time.
Note: It is reported “male shot”
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–At 12:50 a.m. Trenton EMS, Trenton Police, Fire and Capital Paramedics responded to the area of 550 Lamberton Street for a report of a male shot in the head. Police arrived on scene and secured the scene. EMS arrived and treated the injured person. TEMS and Capital Paramedics were transporting to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center at 1:00 a.m. a “Trauma Alert” was called. Trenton Police Department Shooting Response Team was on scene at the time of this report and investigating. No further information is available at this time.
There have been 8 murders in the City of Trenton in October so far with a total of 32 for the year 2021.
This is a breaking news story once official information becomes available the story will be updated and corrections made. This is based off emergency radio reports from the scene and not official until it comes from authorities.
file photos
MidJersey.News stories on recent gun violence in Trenton:
Update: May 11, 2020 Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office confirms that they along with the Hamilton Township Police Department are investigating the fire. No other information is available yet.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–A fire was reported at 1733 South Broad Street at The Virgin, St. Shenouda, and St. Thomas Church Services Building aka “Holy Angels Church”. Talking to a witness on scene she said was going into work this morning at WIMG-AM Radio and called 9-1-1 to report the fire, she stated that smoke was blowing across the street. The call was reported around 8:30 a.m.
The Hamilton Township Fire Department responded and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the building. Firefighters set up ladders and stretched four hose lines to bring the fire under control. Firefighters from surrounding communities were called to cover Hamilton Township while firefighters worked on the fire. Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 9:10 a.m.
Firefighters along with fire investigators were still on scene at the time of this report.
No other information is available at time of report and will be updated when more information becomes available.
The Hamilton Township Professional Firefighters reported another fire around 2:30 am on Westcott Ave.
FALLS TOWNSHIP/FAIRLESS HILLS, PA (BUCKS)–A large fire at a scrap yard in the Fairless Hills section of Falls Township send smoke billowing into Mercer and Burlington Counties this afternoon. The fire appeared to be coming from behind Mazza Iron & Steel a family owned and operated metal recycling company based in Fairless Hills. A large column of smoke could be seen for miles and 9-1-1 centers fielded calls about the smoke condition. Falls Township Fire Company along with many mutual aid fire departments were on scene combating the fire. Fire departments called it a “rubbish” fire on Solar Drive in Falls Township.
A video from Levittown Fire Company Facebook page here:
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–On June 27, 2021 several New Jersey State Troopers helped distribute groceries to more than 1,000 families at a distribution event in East Windsor, Mercer County. Troopers joined community volunteers to help empty boxes, pack bags, and hand out groceries. The event was hosted by Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) and Rise.To learn more about the TASK, please visit https://www.trentonsoupkitchen.org To learn more about Rise, please visit https://www.njrise.org
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–Hightstown Police Department reported that on Friday, September 9, 2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., officers from Hightstown Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of West Ward Street and Mercer Street for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle; updates from dispatch reported the subject unconscious but breathing.
Sergeant Miller and Officer Moreno arrived on location to find a thirteen (13) year old male, resident of Hightstown Borough, and a student at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School, unconscious with severe trauma to the body and head. While waiting for emergency medical services to arrive, the child slipped into cardiac arrest and officers began lifesaving measures, beginning CPR. Hightstown EMS arrived on scene and continued with lifesaving measures, with police assisting. Paramedics from Capital Health arrived on location and transported the victim, with Hightstown EMS, to Capital Health Trauma Center, Helene Fuld Campus, in Trenton, and continued the performance of lifesaving efforts.
At the hospital, despite valiant efforts by all involved, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff at 10:20 p.m.
The accident was investigated by Hightstown Police Department and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Officer-Serious Collision Response Team. Det. Mecca and Det. Vaccaro continued the investigation, which was determined to be accidental, with no criminality associated with the incident; the investigation revealed that the victim, a bicyclist, was struck while crossing the roadway as the driver, Ms. Kathryn Wagner, a resident of East Windsor, New Jersey, made a left turn from Mercer Street, onto West Ward Street. Ms. Wagner remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. Ms. Wagner was later issued a traffic summons for careless driving.
School personnel were advised of the incident to prepare for any services that students may need as a result of this event. Any witnesses to this incident, that may have information, are encouraged to contact Sgt. Miller or Det. Mecca at the Hightstown Police Department. The Hightstown Police Department would like to thank all those that remained on scene, cooperated with the investigation, and assisted with this tragic event.
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Earlier MidJersey.News story here:
Car vs Bike; Serious Crash Investigation In Hightstown, NJ
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan announced today that the Opioid Enforcement Task Force (OETF) has seized more than one million individual packaged doses of opioids since its inception in 2018 as a result of the latest takedown of a Trenton narcotics processing mill.
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, detectives with the Crime Suppression Central Unit, OETF, along with members of the Trenton Police Department SWAT arrested Felix Acevedo, 32, of Trenton, N.J., and seized more than $40,000 worth of drugs and stamps linked to a total of 61 drug overdoses, with 27 of them being fatal. After detectives executed a search warrant at the residence, Acevedo was arrested and detectives seized 500 grams of heroin, 150 grams of fentanyl, 15 grams of cocaine, a 9mm carbine rifle, $98,000 cash and narcotics packaging and branding materials.
The takedown is result of a month-long operation that ran from July to August. In July, detectives with the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit and OETF began investigating drug activity in the Trenton area. Through various investigative means, detectives discovered that a drug mill was being operated out of a residence on Chase Street and identified Acevedo as the operator.
Additionally, detectives seized 32 different stamps used to brand packaged narcotics. Drug traffickers market their “brand” of drug by ink-stamping the outside of a wax fold with a unique image, word, or phrase such as “Red Bull,” “Tik Tok,” and “Scorpion,” which are examples of stamps that were recovered in this case.
Felix Acevedo was charged with maintaining a CDS production facility, possession of CDS with intent to distribute near a school/park, possession of a firearm during a CDS offense, certain persons not to possess weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia, and money laundering, and he was lodged at the Mercer County Jail pending a detention hearing.
“With this investigation, we mark an important milestone for our Opioid Enforcement Task Force: since launching three years ago, we have stopped one million doses of opioids from reaching the streets of New Jersey,” said Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck. “Thanks to the extraordinary work of Colonel Callahan and the New Jersey State Police, we have saved countless lives across the Garden State. And while our job is far from done, today’s milestone makes clear that our opioid enforcement strategy is working. We will continue targeting the most significant and dangerous distributors in New Jersey, especially those who operate illegal and dangerous ‘drug mills’ in our state.”
“Processing mills are the root of the of the narcotics supply chain, and when we cut off the root from the rest of the tree, it cannot produce its poisonous fruit. While targeting street-level dealers remains an important piece of our strategy, since 2018 our operations targeting drug mills has led to the staggering seizure of more than one-million doses of narcotics—drugs that were prevented from entering our communities, and drugs that have been linked to both fatal and non-fatal overdoses,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Thanks to the diligent work of the State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit and the OETF, this investigation led to the 46th facility disrupted or dismantled by the taskforce, and with 61 total overdoses and 27 fatal overdoses linked to this mill, this operation, like the previous 219, undoubtably saved lives.”
“Through this and related operations, the State Police, the OETF, and our law enforcement partners have averted opioid-related tragedies that would have otherwise harmed individuals, families, and communities,” said Lyndsay Ruotolo, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Every life that’s lost to opioids has a ripple effect that impacts others, and by removing a million doses of addictive and deadly narcotics from our neighborhoods and bringing those who illegally sell them to justice, our law enforcement made New Jersey a safer place.”
In 2018, as a result of the nationwide opioid epidemic that has been impacting New Jersey, Captain Lawrence Williams, of the New Jersey State Police Trafficking North Unit, developed new tactics and a new investigative approach to combat the flow of opioids within the state. Traditionally, law enforcement agencies would begin an investigation into a trafficking network from the bottom of the supply chain, which are the users and street dealers.
Captain Williams determined that the amount of overdoses and overdose-related deaths could be proportionately decreased if law enforcement could dismantle or disrupt the opioid supply more quickly. He subsequently identified various “choke points” within the narcotics production process, which would allow law enforcement to expedite the identification of narcotic processing mills much more efficiently than traditional practices.
Once Captain Williams established a methodology for this strategy, he created a task force which consisted of the New Jersey State Police, the Office of Drug Monitoring and Analysis, the Office of the Attorney General, federal partners, and various law enforcement agencies across New Jersey.
To date, the OETF has conducted 220 enforcement operations and seized more than 1,010,036 individual doses of packaged opioids valued at $5,050,180, more than 93 kilograms of raw heroin valued at $5,580,000, more than 84 kilograms of fentanyl valued at $4,200,000, more than 76,000 fentanyl based pills valued at $760,000, more than 55 kilograms of cocaine valued at $1,980,000, more than 27 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at $270,000, more than $4,174,962 in U.S. currency, and 197 firearms. The OETF has also disrupted or dismantled 46 fully operational opioid packaging facilities, seven fully operational fentanyl pill-pressing operations, and arrested 470 suspects during this time.
This case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that two men have been indicted for shooting at the patrol vehicle of a Pemberton Township police officer seven years ago in the Sunbury Village section of Pemberton Township.
Tayron Brown, 24, of Trenton, was indicted on charges of Attempted Murder (First Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree).
Brown’s co-defendant, Kavon Carter, 23, of Pemberton Township, was indicted on charges of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree).
The indictment was returned July 16 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina. An arraignment will be held soon in Superior Court. Brown is presently incarcerated in New Jersey state prison, and Carter is in the Burlington County Jail, both for unrelated offenses.
Brown and Carter were initially charged in September 2019, however the opportunity to seek an indictment was delayed because grand juries were not convened during the pandemic.
The investigation revealed that an officer was parked along Lemmon Avenue on September 24, 2014, when a bullet fired in his direction struck the roof of the marked patrol vehicle, approximately six inches above the officer’s head.
The investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Pemberton Township Police Department. Brown and Carter are being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Mike Angermeier, supervisor of the BCPO Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
Tayron Brown, 24, of Trenton, was indicted on charges of Attempted Murder (First Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree). Brown’s co-defendant, Kavon Carter, 23, of Pemberton Township, was indicted on charges of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree).
July 26, 2021
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 26, 2021, Marcus Samuels, 32, of South Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., to ten years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(1), relative to the shooting death of Willie Love, 27, of Beachwood, that occurred in South Toms River on June 8, 2015. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, meaning that Samuels will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Additionally, Samuels was sentenced to ten years NJSP as a result of a previously entered guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5a(1), and five years NJSP in connection with an unrelated charge of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b, relative to an incident that occurred in Seaside Heights on May 3, 2015. Samuels pled guilty to all charges before Judge Ryan on June 4, 2021. The sentences will run concurrently.
On June 8, 2015, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Officers of the South Toms River Police Department responded to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a report of a male having suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. The male was identified to be Willie Love, who later succumbed to his injuries at Community Medical Center.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and South Toms River Police Department revealed that Samuels – who was driving a 2004 Dodge Nitro – pulled alongside a vehicle being operated by Mr. Love which contained three passengers. Samuels then recklessly fired a handgun into Mr. Love’s vehicle, striking Mr. Love, which led to his death. Samuels turned himself into law enforcement in the presence of his attorney on June 12, 2015, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date.
While Samuels was detained in the Ocean County Jail pending trial on these charges, he conspired with other inmates to influence a witness into retracting or changing a statement previously provided to law enforcement in connection with the investigation.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Chief Narcotics Assistant Prosecutor William Porter and Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, South Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Science, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Samuels’ state prison sentence.
22 Year Law Enforcement Veteran To Forfeit Public Employment
July 26, 2021
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A Monmouth County Corrections officer has pled guilty after shoplifting in Ocean Township and West Long Branch, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey.
Suzanne Simone, 53, of Ocean Township, a 22-year-veteran of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, pled guilty today before Judge Ellen Torregossa-O’Connor to fourth degree Shoplifting in connection with multiple instances where she failed to pay for items at local Target and Home Depot stores. Simone’s plea calls for her to pay restitution to both stores in a total amount of $1,320.90. Simone has also forfeited public office in New Jersey. She will receive non-custodial probation and is not allowed to return to either store.
This follows an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office which revealed that on multiple occasions, Simone “skip scanned” items, essentially scanning multiple smaller items, and not scanning larger items or pretending to scan them and leaving the store without paying for them. In multiple instances, Simone was wearing her uniform while committing the theft. Some of the stolen goods were later recovered from her residence.
Simone is currently suspended from her position at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.
Simone is represented by Robert Holden Esq., of Shrewsbury.
Citizens may report concerns via the following: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line – 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878); or E-mail at: [email protected] write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
July 26, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor announced that the owner of an Ocean County real estate improvement company has been charged in connection with an alleged scheme to provide false payroll information in order to obtain lower premiums on workers’ compensation coverage.
Zechariah Greenspan, 37, owner of Mulberry Management, L.L.C. (“Mulberry Management”) in Lakewood, was indicted July 7, 2021 on second-degree charges of insurance fraud, theft by deception and misconduct by a corporate official for allegedly providing false and misleading statements to New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group in order to obtain lower premiums on the workers’ compensation insurance he is legally obligated to provide employees.
According to the indictment, between July 2016, and March 2018, Greenspan committed five or more acts of insurance fraud by submitting false documents, making false or misleading statements, and omitting material facts that misrepresented the amount of wages that Mulberry Management paid to its individual uninsured subcontractors, and that Mulberry Management had paid an insured subcontractor – ZG Holdings, L.L.C. (“ZG Holdings”), which he also owns – for subcontractor work.
Greenspan committed theft by deception by obtaining workers compensation insurance at a lower premium by significantly underreporting his payroll to individual uninsured subcontractors, and by submitting false records indicating Mulberry Management had paid ZG Holdings for subcontractor work and that ZG Holdings had sufficient workers’ compensation coverage for said work, when in fact, he knew that Mulberry Management had not paid ZG Holdings for subcontractor work and/or that ZG Holdings lacked sufficient workers’ compensation insurance for said work, according to the indictment.
Greenspan is charged with misconduct by a corporate official for using Mulberry Management and/or ZG Holdings to commit the aforementioned crimes, according to the indictment.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000.
Deputy Attorney General Melvina D. Fennell presented the case to the State Grand Jury for the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor under the supervision of Private Insurance Bureau Chief Cheryl Maccaroni. Under the supervision of Lieutenant Anne Hayes, Investigator Thomas Andreopoulos coordinated the investigation with Analysts Terry Worthington and Jordan Thompson, along with Detective Matthew Armstrong.
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Tracy Thompson noted that many cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting the Web site at www.NJInsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution, and conviction for insurance fraud.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
July 26, 2021
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On July 18, Conservation Police Officers Nicole Carman and Michael Bickerton investigated a group of four out-of-state individuals who were collecting freshwater clams from Doctors Creek in Allentown, New Jersey. This creek is in the immediate vicinity of a sewage treatment plant. The waterway is deemed condemned by NJDEP due to pollution, rendering shellfish dangerous to public health if consumed. Officers apprehended the individuals in possession of approximately 64,000 corbicula clams, which are an invasive species. Thanks to a call from an observant passer-by, these clams were seized before they could find their way into the food supply chain. Please contact the 24-Hour DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP if you observe individuals collecting freshwater clams or mussels.
July 26, 2021
CRANBURY TOWNSHIP, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Two separate serious crashes on the NJ Turnpike in the area of Exit 8A left the North Bound outer “truck” lanes of the NJ Turnpike closed and traffic backed almost 10 miles to Exit 7A in Robbinsville.
Monroe Township Fire Rescue 23, Ladder 23, Engine 23, Tanker 23, Chief 23, Squad 57 and Monroe Twp EMS responded to the the NJTP for 2 separate calls. 1st call was for an overturned Commercial Vehicle in the NB Car Lanes. While responding, a 2nd call for a 2nd Commercial MVC with heavy entrapment just south of the first call was received. Crews worked quickly to free the driver from the vehicle.
MidJersey.news has reached out to NJ State Police for official information and when that becomes available the story will be updated.
July 26, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Burlington County, New Jersey, man is expected to make his initial appearance today after being charged with trafficking over three kilograms of methamphetamine and illegally possessing unregistered firearms as a previously convicted felon, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Nicholas Layton, 41, of Mount Holly, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more methamphetamine, three counts of unlawful possession of unregistered firearms and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He is scheduled to appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in Court:
In December 2018, Layton and an unnamed conspirator were driving separate vehicles from Arizona back to New Jersey. Both vehicles were the subject of a motor vehicle stop in Crawford County, Arkansas. Subsequent investigation revealed that the conspirator’s vehicle contained four wrapped bundles of suspected narcotics, later confirmed to be approximately three kilograms of methamphetamine. According to receipts located in both vehicles, Layton rented both cars and the cars traveled together through multiple states before being stopped in Arkansas. Both Layton and his conspirator were charged by the State of Arkansas in connection with the methamphetamine; Layton was released by authorities.
In May and June of 2019, Layton sold methamphetamine on three separate occasions to confidential informants under the surveillance of law enforcement in Pemberton and Mount Holly, New Jersey.
On July 17, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Layton’s residence in Mount Holly where they located:
1) a black “AR” style, 5.56 x 45mm semi-automatic rifle, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a Privately Made Firearm (“PMF”);
2) a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a PMF;
3) a firearm silencer, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a PMF; and
4) eight “M-Class” explosive devices
On July 17, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at another residence associated with Layton in Southampton, New Jersey, where they located:
5) a Norcino, SKS type, 762 caliber, semi-automatic rifle (the “Norcino”), bearing serial number 244931DUP;
6) a 12-gauge caliber Browning shotgun (the “Browning”), bearing serial number 13324 S69; and
7) nine “M-Class” explosive devices
Layton was not found at either location during the execution of the search warrants. On or about Aug. 4, 2019, Layton was found at a residence in Marlton, New Jersey. At the time of his arrest, Layton was found in possession of approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine and an additional explosive device.
The conspiracy and the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine counts are punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a fine of $10 million; the possession of an unregistered firearm is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000; and the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and fine of $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark; the DEA Fort Smith Post of Duty under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley, Arkansas; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C, Taylor, Newark Field Division; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina; and officers of the Arkansas State Police, under the direction of Chief William J. Bryant, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Gasparian of the Criminal Division in Trenton
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Brian P. Reilly, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
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July 26, 2021
CAPE MAY, N.J. — The Coast Guard rescued seven people from a sport fishing boat beset by weather 69 miles southeast of Cape May Sunday.
A small craft advisory for the area indicated 4-to-6-foot seas with winds gusting up to 30 knots.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received the initial report from Coast Guard Sector Virginia at 1:19 p.m., stating that a 40-foot sport fishing boat with seven people aboard had been beset by weather with seas reaching approximately 10 feet.
The crew of the vessel activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) when conditions continued to deteriorate. Coast Guard crews aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Indian River were launched to assist.
All seven people were hoisted and taken to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City where local EMS was standing by to assist.
“One of the scariest and most unpredictable places you can be is out on the water in a storm,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Petrenko, an operations specialist with the Sector Delaware Bay command center. “Fortunately, they had life jackets, a registered EPIRB and a radio, which they used to call for help. If any one of those pieces had been missing, we might not have been as successful as we were.”
Aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C. rescue seven people aboard a 40-foot sport fishing boat beset by weather 60 nautical miles southeast of Cape May, N.J., July 25, 2021. Mariners are encouraged to check weather forecasts before heading out on the water. U.S. Coast Guard video.
July 26, 2021
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 11:18 p.m. last night (July 25, 2021) the Hamilton Township Fire Department was dispatched to assist Hamilton Township Police Department in a search for a missing Hamilton Township person when splashing noises were heard in the water in Gropp’s Lake. Hamilton Township Fire Department responded and searched the lake with three boats and other firefighters searched the shore line. Hamilton Township Police searched the shore lines as well as other neighborhoods surrounding the lake. The New Jersey State Police was on I-195 in the area of the lake with several cars searching the highway.
At 1:00 a.m. NJ State Police were summoning a NJ State Police Helicopter and West Windsor Police was contacted for a drone to help with the search.
At 1:38 a.m. Hamilton Police requested EMS to respond to Tartear Drive the opposite side of I-195 from Gropp Lake. A person was found in the woods meeting the description for a person missing from Hamilton Township.
Patient located at 1:40 a.m. Hamilton Township fire telling boats to return to shore. EMS confirms patient located at 1:44 a.m.
This is a “Breaking News” report and once official information is received from Hamilton Township Police the story will be updated. Information contained in this report is from on scene reporting.
NOTE: This is a different incident than the missing person that was reported earlier that person has been located. No word on exactly what went on at the lake except for fire/ems radio traffic indicating they had a patient in the woods near the drain pipe for the lake.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–A vehicle fire disrupted traffic in the area of Brunswick Pike (Route 1) South and Interstate 295 in Lawrence Saturday evening. The blaze was reported about 5:20 p.m. Police and Lawrence Township firefighters arrived to find a vehicle heavily-involved in flames at the bottom of the exit ramp leading from Interstate 295 South onto Brunswick Pike South. Police quickly shut down the exit ramp and also detoured other traffic away from the blaze. Firefighters stretched a hoseline and quickly knocked down the flames. However the vehicle – reported to be a Jeep Wrangler – was a total loss. The driver was not injured and had exited the vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency personnel. The traffic detours were in place for about an hour while the fire was extinguished and the charred vehicle was towed away. Coincidentally, this was the third vehicle fire in Lawrence Township in as many days – the others being in the area of Mercer Mall on Thursday morning and on Quakerbridge Road at Lawrence Station Road about lunchtime on Friday.
July 17, 2021
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–NJ Task Force One Urban Search And Rescue returned from their two week deployment in Surfside Florida this afternoon. Friends and families of the members were on hand to welcome their loved ones home from their deployment.
Children and family members held signs welcoming everyone home. Once inside members were met with hugs and tears of joy that they returned safely.
Once equipment was unloaded a short debriefing was held, procedural paperwork for the mission was completed and handed in members were allowed to leave to return to their families and homes.
Task Force Members have completed their mission to assist with the rescue and recovery efforts in the Champlain Tower Collapse in Surfside, Florida with a job well done.
Jersey Shore Fire Response Video
Related MidJersey.News articles here:
Federal Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces arrive in Surfside from Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to assist in search and rescue efforts
NJ Task Force One Deploys To Surfside, Miami, Florida For Building Collapse
BREAKING: NJ’s Task Force 1 Called To Respond To Miami- Surfside, FL Building Collapse
New Jersey’s Urban Search And Rescue Task Force One Returns Today After Two Week Deployment At Surfside Florida Building Collapse
July 17, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–NJ State Police responded to an accident on I-195 east bound in the area of the 9.4 mile marker for a car off the side of the roadway around 2:30 p.m. Upon arrival troopers notified Fire and EMS to respond to the highway. Shortly after another accident happened about 1/3 of a mile possibly due to traffic backing up. Hope Fire Company of Allentown, Robbinsville Township Fire Department, EMS from Allentown and Robbinsville responded to the scene of both crashes. It was unclear if anyone that reported injuries was transported to the hospital from either accident. Traffic was backed up 2.5 miles into Robbinsville Township. NJ State Police is investigating the crash. No further information is available at this time.
UPDATE: Welcome Home NJ Task Force One! Rescue Crews Return From Surfside, FL Building Collapse
July 17, 2021
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–New Jersey’s Urban Search And Rescue Task Force One that deployed in July 1, 2021 is returning today from a two week deployment at a building collapse in Surfside, Florida.
Check for updates throughout the day.
Mercer County Task Force Members that responded: Brad Ladislaw, Jay Ryan, Joe Flynn, Jeff Barlow from Hamilton Township Fire Department. Lt. Michael McMahon, Planning Team Manager, from West Windsor Police Department. Scott Cook, Rescue Specialist from West Windsor Fire & Emergency Services. Mike Yeh, Task Force Leader, Princeton Emergency & Safety Services-Princeton Junction Fire Company. Trenton Fire Department Battalion Chief Dave Smolka, Technical Search, Deputy Chief Anthony Moran, Safety, and Joe Szabo, Rescue Specialist.
Related MidJersey.News articles here:
Federal Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces arrive in Surfside from Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to assist in search and rescue efforts
NJ Task Force One Deploys To Surfside, Miami, Florida For Building Collapse
BREAKING: NJ’s Task Force 1 Called To Respond To Miami- Surfside, FL Building Collapse
July 17, 2021
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ (OCEAN)–New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier.
Photos and video by: NJ State Police:
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
New Jersey Lt Governor Shiela Oliver, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Father Michael Lorentsen of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and John Ciuppa, President, Garden State COPS kick off New Jersey Law Enforcement Survivors Day at Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The event is the idea of Mr. Vincent Storino Sr. one of the owners Breakwater Beach and Casino Pier. (New Jersey State Police / Tim Larsen)
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A sea of small purple flags will adorn the grass along the front entrance to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office for the rest of the month, leading up to International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, with each flag representing an individual lost due to a drug overdose in the county this year.
“As overdose deaths rise to previously unthinkable levels, both here in Monmouth County and nationwide, it’s so vitally important to resist discouragement and continue to do absolutely everything in our power to mitigate the human toll of this epidemic,” Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said. “A big part of that is promoting remembrance: reminding our community that each person lost is not some nameless, faceless statistic, but a dynamic individual who leaves behind hopes, dreams, and friends and family members who remain devastated by their absence.”
Acting Prosecutor Linskey was joined earlier this week by Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Michael J. Wojciechowski, Acting Chief of Detectives John G. McCabe, Jr., additional colleagues, and community partners with the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County for a remembrance ceremony, during which the flags were put into place. As of this week, thanks to the efforts of the Coalition, similar public displays will be in place in 43 of Monmouth County’s 53 municipalities.
A total of 79 people died due to a drug overdose in Monmouth County during the first half of 2022, according to statistics compiled by the New Jersey Coordinator for Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies (NJ CARES). An estimated 1,500 lives were lost in such fashion countywide from 2012 through 2021, with annual tolls rising from a low of 85 in 2013 to a high of 215 in 2018.
Those figures mirror statewide and national trends – New Jersey recorded a 10-year low of 1,223 overdose deaths in 2012, but that figure has since soared to over 3,000 in three of the last four full calendar years. Driving the trends has been the proliferation of increasingly deadly quantities of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be made quickly and cheaply, which often is found mixed with other narcotics that can exacerbate its dangerousness. Two milligrams of fentanyl, about the size and appearance of a few grains of salt, can be a fatal dose.
The Prosecutor’s Office has played a lead role in attacking the local opioid epidemic on multiple fronts; in 2014, Monmouth became just the second county in New Jersey to train all of its police officers on the use of naloxone, a nasally administered drug that works to quickly and safely reverse the effects of an overdose. Police officers in Monmouth County administered naloxone on more than 2,600 occasions from 2017 through the first quarter of 2022, with the overwhelming majority of deployments resulting in recipients going on to survive.
In 2020, with funds provided by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General NJ CARES Operation Helping Hand grant, MCPO announced the establishment of a 24/7 opioid dependency helpline, 833-OHH-CARE, which to this day remains staffed by recovery coaches from Recovery Advocates for the Shore (RAFTS) who link callers to treatment through CPC Behavioral Healthcare (CPC).
And earlier this year, MCPO hosted the first graduation ceremony for its newly established Recovery Diversion Program, an initiative that substitutes peer recovery and treatment services for nonviolent municipal court offenders, rather than traditional prosecution. Municipal defendants who successfully complete substance use treatment, maintain contact with their peer recovery coaches, and remain arrest-free are eligible to have their charges dismissed and expunged.
Monmouth County also remains an active participant in Project Medicine Drop, a New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs initiative through which citizens are invited to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medication in safe, simple, anonymous fashion. There are currently about 30 drop boxes located countywide; for a full list of participating police departments that administer the initiative, go to https://mcponj.org/project-medicine-drop-off-locations-monmouth-county/.
“This epidemic didn’t develop from just one cause, and fixing it won’t be the result of just one solution,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. “We remain deeply committed to leveraging innovation toward addressing it from every conceivable angle.”
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Union County Prosecutor’s Office has released body camera videos from the police involved shooting on February 12, 2022.
Video below is age restricted 18+ please follow the link to view the video since it contains language and images that may be unacceptable or troubling to viewers.
The case has been handed to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office as per the NJ Attorney General’s guidelines. It was done to prevent any conflicts of interest.
Disclaimer
The body worn camera footage from this incident is being provided by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office under the authority of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.5 and Attorney General Directives 2019-4 and 2022-1.
This footage contains language and images that may be unacceptable or troubling to viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Related MidJersey.News stories:
Officer Involved Shooting on Centre Street in Trenton
Suspect Charged in Saturday Officer-Involved Shooting
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
