FREEHOLD – A Colts Neck man who committed a string of robberies and a burglary over the course of about a month in 2021 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Thursday.
Conor Kavanagh, 31, will be required to serve at least 85 percent of the first 12 years of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the provisions of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA), in accordance with the terms set during the Friday, July 7, 2023 sentencing hearing before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley. Kavanagh will also be subject to having no contact with the victims, as well as making restitution, and is also not allowed to return to the financial institutions where the crimes were committed.
The charges stem from three robberies, all committed within a month of each other in the fall of 2021.
Shortly after 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2021, an individual who was later identified as Kavanagh approached a teller window at the PNC Bank inside the Stop & Shop supermarket on Route 36 in Keyport. Kavanagh then passed 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, 2021, 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 an identical fashion to the earlier one in Keyport, with the suspect wearing similar clothing and also leaving 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 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.
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; 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. Prosecutor Santiago would like to thank our partners from 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 was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan. Kavanagh is being represented by Edwin Wu, Esq., with an office in Freehold Borough.
MANCHESTER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Police Chief Antonio Ellis announced that Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, has been charged with Murder, in connection with the shooting death of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, in Manchester Township on June 27, 2024. Johnston was also charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, all arising out of the same incident.
On June 27, 2024, at approximately 4:55 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road in reference to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim. Responding Officers discovered Ms. Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her stomach. Ms. Caroleo was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she succumbed to her injuries.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, has revealed that Johnston was the individual responsible for the death of Ms. Caroleo.
Johnston has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice. As such, a warrant for his arrest has been issued and his name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
“We have been working diligently with our law enforcement partners to locate Johnson. Great teamwork has been exhibited by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation. We are focused on finding Johnston and bring him into custody. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Maxwell Johnston should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 2476, or Detective Richard Conklin of the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-2009, extension 4211,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Ellis commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and United States Marshals Service, for their continuing and combined efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Police Chief Antonio Ellis announced that Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, has been charged with Murder, in connection with the shooting death of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, in Manchester Township on June 27, 2024. Johnston was also charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, all arising out of the same incident.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 16, 2024, the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., sentenced Ron Carr, 35, of Manchester Township, to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Arson in connection with incidents that occurred in Manchester Township on June 6, 2023 and in the early morning hours of June 7, 2023. Additionally, Judge Ryan sentenced Carr to five years NJSP as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Bias Intimidation, and 18 months NJSP in connection with his previously entered guilty pleas to two counts of Criminal Mischief – all in connection with the same series of incidents that occurred between June 6th and 7th, 2023. The sentences will concurrently. Carr pled guilty to all charges before Judge Ryan on June 20, 2024.
On June 6, 2023, at approximately 11:45 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Pine Lake Park for reports of vandalism to residential homes. Responding Officers discovered that 14 homes were vandalized with spray paint – some to include Nazi symbolism. Officers obtained a description of the suspect believed to be responsible for the vandalism.
On June 7, 2023, at approximately 3:11 a.m., Manchester Township Police Officers were again summoned to the area of Pine Lake Park for a report of a structure fire. The structure – a house – was destroyed in the fire; three additional homes suffered heat damage, and flames spread to the adjacent wooded area. No injuries were reported.
Responding Officers received reports of an individual on foot in the vicinity of the fire. That individual matched the description of the suspect in the earlier reported criminal mischief incidents. A short time later, Officers located the suspect, later identified as Carr, in the area of Commonwealth Boulevard and Larchmont Street; he was taken into custody without incident. Continuing investigation revealed that Carr was responsible for the vandalism to the homes on June 6th and the arson that destroyed the structure on June 7th. Carr was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his apprehension.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo and New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Valerie Butler who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice General Crimes Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Carr’s guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentence.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–An Allentown man has been charged in connection with a shooting incident that took place in the afternoon hours of New Year’s Eve, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Wednesday.
Daniel Williams, 52, was charged with one count of first-degree Attempted Murder, one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (firearm), and one count of second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. The Endangering charge stems from a child being present in the home at the time of the shooting.
On Tuesday December 31, 2024, at approximately 12:51 p.m., members of the Allentown Police Department, along with multiple law enforcement agencies, responded to Johnson Drive for the report of a victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a female victim suffering from a single non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
An investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Allentown Police Department determined Williams was responsible for the shooting.
Williams was apprehended later that evening and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) where he is being held pending his first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Allentown Police Chief Daniel Panckeri commended the cooperation of local residents during the shelter-in-place. The goal of this was simply to ensure that the suspect was apprehended swiftly and without any unnecessary danger to anyone in the area. Detectives ensured that this goal was achieved.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joe Leon at 800-533-7443 or Allentown Police Department Detective Anthony Rando at 609-259-6300.
The case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau. Information regarding Williams’ legal representation was not readily available.
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.
Daniel Williams, 52, was charged with one count of first-degree Attempted Murder, one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (firearm), and one count of second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. The Endangering charge stems from a child being present in the home at the time of the shooting.
It appears to be police activity around barns on Old York Road near I-195 during the search for the suspect the evening of December 31, 2024.
A New Jersey State Police helicopter circles Allentown, NJ on December 31, 2024 looking for shooting suspect Daniel Williams.
A Monmouth County Sherriff’s Officer is posted at Church and Main Street in downtown Allentown, NJ.
Members of Hope Fire Company Fire Police and Mercer County Fire Police closed Robbinsville-Allentown Road at Circle Drive in Robbinsville Township.
Manhunt Underway for Allentown, NJ, Shooting Suspect
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Thursday December 7, 2023 at approximately 11:20 P.M., Officers were detailed to the Fast Trac gas station on the 1100 block of Chambers Street on a report of a Robbery that just occurred. Officers Gigliotti and Gilleo arrived on scene and located the victim who stated the suspect walked into the store, around the counter and began taking money out of the cash register. The victim attempted to stop the suspect but the suspect began striking the victim several times in the face. The suspect fled the store on foot with an unknown amount of money. The Officers put out a description of the suspect to responding unit. Officers Avanzato, Mutek, Vitoritt, and Cuffman located the suspect near East Brown Street and Bergen Street.
When Officers attempted to stop the suspect, he fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, the Officers were able to place the suspect under arrest. He was identified as Christian Carado, 19, of Trenton. Officers also located $170 in cash in his possession.
Carado was charged with Robbery, Burglary, Obstructing the Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest, and Simple Assault.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Frank LaVacca of the Hamilton Police Division Major Crimes Unit at (609) 581-4080 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.
Christian Carado, 19, Trenton. Carado was charged with Robbery, Burglary, Obstructing the Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest, and Simple Assault according to Hamilton Police.
December 11, 2023
TRENTON — The Attorney General’s Office today identified the decedent and the officers involved in the fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 5, 2023 in Manchester, New Jersey. The civilian who died during the encounter has been identified as Shannon Rose, 39, of Manchester.
According to the preliminary information, on December 5 at approximately 8:28 p.m., members of the Manchester Township Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an individual in distress. Officers located the subject on Elizabeth Avenue in Manchester Township, and at approximately 9:10 p.m., Officer Nicholas Greenwood and Officer Michael Anderson, both of the Manchester Police Department, discharged their firearms, striking Mr. Rose. Authorities recovered a firearm near Mr. Rose.
A 2019 law, P.L. 2019, c. 1, requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
December 11, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance with identifying a September 2023 Trenton homicide victim.
At approximately 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2023, Trenton police were detailed to the 500 block of Chestnut Avenue on the Swan Street side of an abandoned parking lot where they discovered an unresponsive Hispanic male with several large lacerations to his head and face. He was found next to an abandoned delivery truck that was parked in the lot and pronounced dead at the scene. Following an autopsy conducted by the Middlesex Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, the death was determined to be a homicide.
The New Jersey State Police Forensic Photography and Composite Artist Unit created the attached composite sketch of the male victim. Anyone with information about this case or the identity of this victim is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Andrew DiStefano at (609) 346-1402 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to [email protected]. Anonymous tips are welcome.
LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ (OCEAN)–Trooper II Charles Marchan from the NJ State Police Public Information Unit told MidJersey.News that Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at approximately 9:23 p.m. on the Garden State Parkway south at milepost 59.3, Little Egg Harbor Twp., Ocean County.
Based on a preliminary investigation Michelle L. Ross, a 50-year-old female of Asheville, North Carolina was operating a 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander on the Garden State Parkway South. Cortney L. Downey a 32-year-old female of Northfield, NJ was operating a Toyota Corolla on the Garden State Parkway South. In the area of milepost 59.3, an opposite direction head on collision occurred between the Mitsubishi and the Toyota. After impact, the Mitsubishi overturned. Both drivers sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation and there is no additional information available at the moment.
LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–The Lacey Township Police Department has worked with investigative authorities to identify the pilot in the small airplane crash near that Robert J. Miller Airpark on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
The pilot has been positively identified as Oscar Molina, 61, of Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, NJ. The family of the pilot has been formally notified. The men and women of the Lacey Township Police Department express their sincere condolences to the Molina family.
The crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Lacey Township Plane Crash And Wildfire Update
Plane Crash Starts 831+ Acre Wildfire In Ocean County
TRENTON, N.J. – A Lebanon, Indiana, man was sentenced today to 288 months/24-years in prison for his conviction on four counts of sex offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Randal Wise, 45, was previously convicted of attempted online enticement of a minor, transportation of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and attempted transfer of obscenity to a minor following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp, who imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents in this case, and the evidence at trial:
On Oct. 24, 2019, Wise traveled into New Jersey, approached an individual he believed was a 14-year-old boy on an internet dating application, and started a sexual dialogue. The individual was actually an undercover officer posing as a minor. Wise sent the undercover officer multiple photographs of his genitalia and requested similar photographs from him. The following day, Wise approached another individual that he believed was a minor boy on the same application. Unbeknownst to Wise, this individual was a second undercover officer posing as a minor. Wise engaged the second undercover officer in a highly sexual dialogue over the ensuing 24-hour period, sending sexually explicit photographs, questioning the second undercover officer about his sexual preferences and interests, and inviting the individual to his hotel for sex. On Oct. 26, 2019, Wise traveled to the second undercover officer’s location to engage in sexual activity with a minor, at which time he was arrested.
Law enforcement seized Wise’s phone and subsequently discovered multiple items of child pornography embedded in a sexually graphic conversation.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Wise to 10 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the Newark Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task force special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Thomas J. Chirichella, detectives with the Bayonne Police Department, and detectives with the Indianapolis Police Department.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division in Newark.
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Defense counsel: David Schafer, Esq.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
July 24, 2024
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute more than two kilograms of cocaine in Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Orlando Ayala, 30, of Westampton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on March 21, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine. Judge Williams imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court. Ayala’s conspirator, Angel Correa, pleaded guilty before Judge Williams and is awaiting sentencing.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From February 2022 to January 10, 2023, Ayala conspired with Correa and others to distribute substantial quantities of cocaine. Ayala and Correa together sold more than one kilogram of cocaine during drug deals in 2022. On Jan. 10, 2023, they together picked up a package containing cocaine that had been mailed to a house in Philadelphia and drove the package to Correa’s residence in Camden. Law enforcement agents then searched Correa’s residence and recovered one kilogram of cocaine and two firearms located within several feet of the cocaine.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Williams sentenced Ayala to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the FBI – Philadelphia Field Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service -Philadelphia Division, Willingboro Police Department, Burlington Township Police Department, Atlantic City Police Department, and Philadelphia Police Department.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
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Defense counsel: S. Emile Lisboa IV Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
July 24, 2024
NEWARK, N.J. – A British citizen today admitted possessing multiple images of child sexual abuse and traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Stephen Hudson, 53, of Ealing, England, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark federal court to an information charging him with possession of child pornography and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From April 14, 2022, to May 6, 2022, Hudson used an encrypted email account to communicate with federal law enforcement, acting in an undercover capacity, to facilitate his access to and sexual abuse of two minor female children. Hudson agreed to travel from Massachusetts to New Jersey and pay approximately $1,200 in cash in exchange for, among other things: engaging in sexual acts with 11- and 12-year-old girls; supplying Hudson with illicit drugs; and administering the illicit drugs and alcohol to the 11- and 12-year-old girls. On May 6, 2022, Hudson traveled to an agreed-upon location in New Jersey for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the two minors and provided approximately $1,200 in cash to the undercover law enforcement agents as previously agreed. After providing the cash to law enforcement, Hudson was arrested.
A subsequent search of a laptop computer belonging to Hudson revealed 1,751 images depicting child sexual abuse, including material portraying prepubescent minor or minors who had not attained the age of 12 years and material portraying the sexual abuse and exploitation of infants and toddlers.
The charge of possession of child pornography carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of interstate travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct carries a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Nadel of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Rahul Sharma Esq. and Evan Austin Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defenders, Newark
Hudson.Information (1)Download Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
July 24, 2024
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Police say that on July 24, 2024 at approximately 1:50 a.m., officers responded to St. Regis Court for a report of a male wearing a white t-shirt and khaki shorts attempting to enter vehicles parked in the driveway. As officers checked the area, Ptl. Pinto located the subject seated in a vehicle parked in the driveway on Feldmus Lane. The male fled on foot into the woods but was subsequently located in the retention basin. The male was identified as Kristopher Fudali and arrested for multiple vehicle burglaries and theft. The investigation is continuing and additional complaints are pending. Fudali also had an active warrant for his arrest relating to vehicle burglaries committed on 6-29-2024 and investigated by Detective Grob.
In addition, the Toms River Police Department has investigated and arrested Fudali multiple times this year for the fraudulent use of credit cards, which were stolen from resident’s vehicles. If anyone has any additional information pertaining to this individual or related crimes, please contact Detective Grob at 732-349-0150 Ext 1319
July 24, 2024
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Old Bridge Police Chief Thomas J. Montagna announce today that an Old Bridge husband and wife were sentenced on July 9, 2024, in connection with the unlicensed practice of medicine and two sexual assaults that occurred in July 2022.
An initial investigation led by Detective Jessica Caffey of the Old Bridge Police Department revealed that on July 20, 2022, an adult female victim went to receive medical treatment at the residence of Orger Sibaja-Bolanos, 67, of Old Bridge, who posed as a doctor. Sibaja-Bolanos sexually assaulted her and gave her injections. The investigation determined Sibaja-Bolanos was not a medical doctor. Sibaja-Bolanos was arrested and charged with second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Aggravated Assault, and third- degree Unlicensed Practice of Medicine.
Thereafter on August 8, 2022, a second adult female victim came forward. Further investigation determined that Sibaja-Bolanos sexually assaulted her and gave her injections on multiple occasions in July 2022. Sibaja-Bolanos was charged with second-degree sexual assault, third-degree Unlicensed Practice of Medicine, and third-degree Financial Facilitation.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Sibaja-Bolanos’s wife, Rosa Perez, 64, of Old Bridge, assisted with the unlicensed medical practice. Perez was charged with third- degree Unlicensed Practice of Medicine, third-degree Conspiracy to Commit the Unlicensed Practice of Medicine, and third-degree Financial Facilitation.
On October 23, 2023, Perez pled guilty to third-degree Conspiracy to Commit the Unlicensed Practice of Medicine. On January 1, 2024, Sibaja-Bolanos pled guilty to two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault.
On July 9, 2024, Sibaja-Bolanos was sentenced before the Honorable Sheree V. Pitchford, J.S.C. to an aggregate term of 10 years in the custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which means he will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Upon his release from prison, Sibaja-Bolanos must register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be on Parole Supervision for Life.
Perez was sentenced to 3 years of probation with the condition of serving 364 days in the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility at the end of her sentence should she violate the terms of probation.
The case was prosecuted by Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Panfile and investigated by the Old Bridge Township Police Department.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
July 24, 2024
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Deputy Chief Michelle Pilch of the Piscataway Police Department announced today that Ahmadsabir Ashaq, 20, of Edison, was sentenced on July 19, 2024, in connection with the fatal crash that occurred on June 3, 2023, in Piscataway Township.
On June 3, 2023, at approximately 1:41 A.M., authorities responded to Stelton Road and Mindy Lane in Piscataway after reports of a serious motor vehicle crash. Upon their arrival, officers located two vehicles that were involved in a serious crash. A Lexus sedan, driven by Ahmadsabir Ashaq, 20, of Edison, struck a Ford Focus, then struck a utility pole and caught fire. The Ford Focus, driven by Shailesh Gurrapu, 24, of Carteret, sustained serious damage and caught fire. Mr. Gurrapu succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Both the Ashaq and a passenger in his Lexus were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Further investigation led by Patrolman William Kloos of the Piscataway Police Department and Detective James Alleva of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Ashaq was traveling on Stelton Road at speeds in excess of 110 miles-per- hour less than 5 seconds before colliding with the Ford Focus as it was turning on Mindy Lane.
On March 28, 2024, Ashaq pled guilty to second-degree Vehicular Homicide and was subsequently sentenced on July 19, 2024, by the Honorable Sheree V. Pitchford, J.S.C., to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which means he will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence without parole. Ashaq will be on parole supervision for 3 years upon his release from prison for the crime of second- degree Vehicular Homicide.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
July 24, 2024
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, woman and her son from Mercer County, New Jersey, have admitted their roles in a years-long scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by providing military equipment parts that were not authorized under the governing contracts, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Linda Mika, 73, of Jackson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty yesterday, before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to count one of an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Kenneth Mika, 53, of Ewing, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on June 25, 2024, to the same count of the indictment.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From March 2016 through April 2020, Linda and Kenneth Mika conspired with each other and others to defraud the DoD and one of its combat logistic support arms, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), by engaging in a pattern of unlawful product substitution. The Mikas were employees of Monmouth Marine Monmouth Marine Engines Inc. (Monmouth Marine), a maritime equipment and servicing facility, which, as an approved federal contractor, also entered into contracts with DLA to supply DoD contracting entities with replacement hardware for DoD’s military branches.
The Mikas, on behalf of Monmouth Marine, obtained contracts with the DoD by falsely claiming that the military parts they contracted to provide would be exact products furnished by authorized manufacturers or suppliers. Once awarded the contracts, however, the Mikas sourced non-conforming substitute parts at a significantly reduced cost to fill the contracts. They did this to maximize their profit margin while also suppressing fair competition in the bidding of federal contracts. Upon receipt by Monmouth Marine, the non-conforming parts were then shipped to DLA or various military purchasers in packaging disguising the parts’ identities in an effort by the Mikas to deceive DLA and its unwitting downstream purchasers.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Defense, D.C.I.S. Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Solecki; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge of the Trenton Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney=s Office.
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Defense counsel:Linda Mika: Dennis C. Carletta Esq., Cedar Grove, New Jersey
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced the creation of a Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office – a first-in-the-nation office with the specific mandate of bringing civil enforcement actions against firearm companies to hold them accountable for violations of the law that harm the health and safety of New Jersey residents.
An essential component of SAFE’s civil enforcement toolbox will be the recently enacted firearms public nuisance legislation (P.L.2022, c.56) signed by Governor Murphy on July 5, 2022, which authorizes the Attorney General to bring lawsuits against gun industry members that knowingly or recklessly contribute to a public nuisance in New Jersey through unlawful or unreasonable conduct, or that fail to maintain reasonable controls, relating to their sale, manufacturing, distribution, importing, or marketing of gun-related products.
“Make no mistake – thanks to Governor Murphy and the Legislature, New Jersey is once again a national leader when it comes to combatting gun violence,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “At a time when the U.S. Supreme Court is undermining states’ efforts to protect their residents from the carnage of gun violence, New Jersey’s Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office will use the new public nuisance legislation to hold the gun industry accountable. With the establishment of this office we are sending a clear message to every participant in the firearms industry: if you violate our laws, you will pay.”
New Jersey’s commonsense firearm safety laws have helped the State maintain one of the lowest firearm mortality rates in the country. Nonetheless, New Jersey suffers hundreds of gun-related deaths each year and has not escaped the tragedy of mass shootings. In 2019, two shooters targeted a kosher market in Hudson County in an attack that claimed the lives of six people, including a Jersey City police officer. Last year, three people were killed and 11 others wounded when a shooter opened fire on a crowd gathered for a birthday party at a home in Fairfield Township. And earlier this month, nine people were injured when a gunman in a stolen vehicle opened fire on a street in Newark.
SAFE’s work will accord with the Department’s long history of working closely with law enforcement partners at all levels of government to keep our residents safe, including through smart and evidence-based police work that leads to the arrest and prosecution of individuals, gangs, and gun traffickers who violate New Jersey’s gun laws, and who bring danger and chaos to our communities. Under the leadership of Acting Attorney General Platkin, New Jersey has made it a top priority to apprehend anyone possessing and selling illegal “ghost guns,” which are firearms not imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer, and therefore extremely difficult for law enforcement to trace.
One of the tactics being used by Acting Attorney General Platkin to prevent ghost guns from appearing in New Jersey communities is through a strategic law enforcement partnership with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Acting Attorney General Platkin has directed the Division of Criminal Justice in collaboration with the New Jersey State Police, PA and federal authorities, to focus their collective resources on apprehending individuals illegally bringing ghost gun kits across state lines into New Jersey. These cooperative investigations have led to the arrest and prosecution of 19 individuals this year. As a result of these and other ongoing efforts to protect our residents from gun violence, New Jersey law enforcement agencies have criminally seized 2,398 firearms, including 170 illegal ghost guns, so far this year.
SAFE’s work will be distinct from but supplement the Department’s ongoing – and successful – efforts to use the state’s Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) to stop out-of-state gun dealers from selling illegal firearm products into New Jersey over the internet. In March 2022, Acting Attorney General Platkin announced that the State had obtained a $175,000 judgment against Florida gun vendor 22Mods4All for violating the CFA by advertising and selling illegal large-capacity magazines (LCMs) to New Jersey consumers online. The judgment also permanently barred 22Mods4All from future online sales of LCMs here. A second gun vendor named in that suit – Florida-based Elite Aluminum – agreed to pay a $150,000 civil penalty and stop selling LCMs in New Jersey.
But the public nuisance lawsuits will provide even more robust enforcement tools, by allowing the Department to hold firearms manufacturers and retail dealers accountable for endangering the safety and health of New Jersey residents through the sale, manufacture, distribution, or marketing of lethal, but nonetheless legal, firearms.
The creation of SAFE to enforce the new firearms public nuisance legislation advances the work Governor Murphy is doing to combat the epidemic of gun violence. Among other steps, New Jersey has established a “red flag” law for gun violence protective orders; criminalized firearms trafficking; strengthened background checks; reduced the maximum capacity of ammunition magazines; banned ghost guns; established the Rutgers Gun Violence Research Center to identify evidenced-based solutions to the gun violence crisis; and established a partnership with a coalition of states (New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut) to share crime gun data between law enforcement agencies.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a Trenton man for the shooting death of Shawn Moore.
Chelsey White, 38, of Trenton, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon. He was arrested Sunday evening in Branchburg, NJ, by members of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detail him pending trial.
Shortly before 8 p.m. on February 28, 2024, Trenton police responded to a report of a shooting in progress at 428 Ardmore Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male on the porch suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim, later identified as Shawn Moore, 45, of Trenton, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Tim Bruey at (609) 433-6540. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chelsey White, 38, of Trenton, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon.
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Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
