EWING, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing police reported that around 7:11 p.m. tonight January 23, 2024, police responded to a structure fire with reported possible entrapment on Boone Avenue. Several police officers responded and observed flames coming from the residence. Officers attempted to make entry into the residence but were unsuccessful due to heavy smoke and heat. Ewing Fire Department – Station 30, West Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, and Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department responded and quickly extinguished the fire. Upon entry, a single adult victim was located and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A dog was also found deceased by the responding personnel.
Detectives from the Ewing Police Department Detective Bureau and detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the fire. Police say that the cause and origin of the fire is unknown and the case is actively under investigation. The name of the victim is being withheld, pending notification to the next of kin.
Original MidJersey.news story below:
EWING, NJ (MERCER)–Fire officials and law enforcement investigators are currently on the scene investigating the cause of a serious house fire. Ewing Township career firefighters and volunteers from the West Trenton and Prospect Heights fire companies were dispatched at 7:12 p.m. this evening (Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024) to Boone Avenue, a couple blocks from Parkway Avenue, for a reported structure fire with an elderly resident believed to be trapped inside. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to find flames shooting from the front of the house. Hoselines were stretched to attack the flames and firefighters initiated a search of the smoke- and flame-filled house for the trapped resident. One person was reportedly located inside, however details about the extent of that person’s injuries were not immediately available. A ladder company and battalion chief from Trenton Fire Department was also called to the scene to stand by as a rapid intervention team until the fire was declared under control at 7:56 p.m. Investigators from the Ewing Fire Marshal’s Office, Ewing Police, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating.
January 23, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a Trenton man.
Mouhamadou Ndiour, 19, is charged with one count of first-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), one count of first-degree possession with the intent to distribute CSAM and one count of second-degree possession of CSAM. The complaint alleges he knowingly possessed and distributed more than 1,000 items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Ndiour pending trial.
Detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit recently received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Mercer County was distributing items that portrayed the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. An investigation was initiated and Ndiour was identified as a subject.
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, members of the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, with assistance from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Trenton, executed a search warrant at Ndiour’s Trenton residence, where detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value. Ndiour was taken into custody without incident.
First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Prosecutor Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department announced today that a homicide is currently under investigation in South Brunswick Township.
Yesterday, January 9, 2025, at approximately 3:15 P.M., authorities responded to a residence on Route 27 in South Brunswick Township following the report of an unresponsive female. Upon their arrival, South Brunswick Police Department discovered Lauren Saldana, 38, of Freehold, unconscious. Saldana was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Initial investigation led by Detective Matthew Hagood of the South Brunswick Police Department and Detective Javier Morillo of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, determined that Roman Romanovskiy, 41, of South Brunswick was the alleged perpetrator of the acts causing the death of Saldana. Moreover, Saldana and Romanovskiy knew each other, thus it was not a random act of violence.
Romanovskiy was arrested without incident yesterday, and charged with first- degree Murder, second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Romanovskiy is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the results of his Pre-Trial detention hearing.
The Endangering the Welfare of a Child charge was filed since the acts resulting in the victim’s death were committed in the presence of minors.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Hagood of the South Brunswick Police Department at 732-329-4646 or Detective Morillo the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-8843.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Trenton man was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for the aggravated sexual assault of a young girl, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced.
Taalibdin Shakir, 46, was sentenced by Mercer County Superior Court J. Adams Hughes on May 17. A jury convicted Shakir guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault in August 2023 following a two-week trial. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting the victim in Trenton on June 21, 2022, when she was under the age of 13.
Under the No Early Release Act, Shakir must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence before he is eligible for parole. After completion of his prison term, he will be subject to Megan’s Law requirements as well as parole supervision for life.
Mercer County Executive Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Ward and Assistant Prosecutor Christian E. Fisher prosecuted the case for the state.
The investigation was led by Detective Brianna Fleming of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit and Detective Gloria Phillips of the Trenton Police Department. The defendant was represented at trial by Deputy Public Defender Melissa Karabalut and at sentencing by Mark Fury, Esquire.
Taalibdin Shakir, 46, was sentenced by Mercer County Superior Court J. Adams Hughes on May 17. A jury convicted Shakir guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault in August 2023 following a two-week trial. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting the victim in Trenton on June 21, 2022, when she was under the age of 13.
BUSHKILL, PA–Yesterday around 7:00 p.m., June 29, 2024, NPS and volunteer search crews recovered the body of 24-year-old Jeysson Ariel Osorio-Reyes from the waters of the Delaware River near Milford Beach within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
24-year-old Jeysson Ariel Osorio-Reyes of Jackson Township, New Jersey. Photo provided by family.
BUSHKILL, PA- National Park Service rangers and dive team members from Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River and volunteers from the Milford Fire Department, Milford Ambulance, Port Jervis and Bushkill Dive Teams, and Dingman Township, Sparrowbush, and Huguenot Dive Rescue Teams are engaged in a search for a missing man who was last seen swimming in the Delaware River at Milford Beach on Saturday afternoon around 3:15 pm.
Witnesses on shore saw the 24-year-old Jackson Township, NJ man, Jeysson Ariel Osorio-Reyes, swimming mid-channel in the river, about 75 yards from the PA shoreline, before he disappeared under the water surface.
The combined search crews will continue to scour the Delaware River, both above and below the surface, employing surface searches, teams of divers, and side scan sonar until 7 pm this evening due to storms in the forecast that could affect the safety of rescuers. Search efforts will resume on Sunday morning, pending weather conditions.
Updates from the National Park Service will be provided when they are available.
File photos from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)—Police say that on January 2, 2025, at approximately 3;00 p.m. Ewing Police Dispatch received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding a fire at 860 Lower Ferry Road, Cambridge Hall, a multi-unit apartment complex. Callers reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the building. Ewing Township Fire Departments were dispatched and all available Ewing Police Officers responded to the scene.
The first arriving officers learned of a possible entrapped juvenile victim on the fourth floor. Officers began evacuating the building and attempted to reach the main apartment on the fourth floor where the fire originated, encountering heavy smoke and flames. All three Ewing Fire Departments, Stations 30, 31 and 33 arrived and were able to reach the fourth-floor apartment and rescue an unresponsive six-year-old child. The child was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
Addition Fire Departments from Hopewell, Trenton, Pennington and Lawrence assisted in the search and rescue efforts while extinguishing the fire. Ewing, Trenton, Lawrence and Hopewell EMS as well as Capital Health Medics tended to and transported victims to area hospitals. A total of 13 police officers, 1 firefighter and 3 residents were transported to hospitals for injuries ranging from minor bums to smoke inhalation and exhaustion. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Ewing Township Police Department and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
The fire is not thought to be suspicious at this time. Anyone with additional information to provide is asked to contact Ewing Police Detective David Hartmann at (609) 882-1313 ext. 7544
As of 4:14 p.m., Ewing Fire Director Marc Strauss reports that a fire at 865 Lower Ferry Road is under control. Multiple individuals were treated by EMS and transported to area hospitals. The cause of the fire is under investigations by Ewing Fire, Ewing Police and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
January 2, 2025
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton firefighters responded to 268 Cortland Street yesterday January 1, 2025 around 3:00 p.m. for a fire in a row home. Not much is known about the fire but a second alarm was called before being brought under control. Additional information will be posted when available.
‘Uniform Public Expression Protection Act’ Establishes Expedited Process for Dismissal of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP)
September 7, 2023
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today signed the ‘Uniform Public Expression Protection Act’ to protect people from meritless lawsuits intended to intimidate them for exercising their free speech rights. Powerful entities and individuals often use lawsuits and litigation threats to punish and silence those who might speak unfavorably about them. The bipartisan legislation will enable defendants to seek the expedited dismissal of such lawsuits, commonly referred to as ‘Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation’ (SLAPP), which have historically been used against journalists, academics, advocates, and whistleblowers – among others.A SLAPP is generally used to silence individuals or organizations from publicly criticizing or bringing legitimate issues to light about an individual or entity with greater power and resources.
“For far too long, the powerful have abused the justice system to suppress free speech through illegitimate lawsuits,” said Governor Murphy. “By pursuing meritless court cases, these powerful parties aim to silence their critics by making it impossible for those with fewer resources to spend the time and money necessary to legally defend themselves. This law will expedite the process to get these cases dismissed on behalf of the journalists, small businesses, activists, and countless others who have been unfairly targeted by these lawsuits over the years.”
If a SLAPP is initiated, the bill (S-2802/A-4393) now allows eligible defendants to file paperwork requiring the plaintiff to demonstrate the basis for the lawsuit and requiring the court to consider the issues in an expeditious manner. This process will enable these kinds of cases to be dismissed quickly, and at less expense to the defendant, rather than being drawn out in court.In addition to the expedited timeline, other related legal proceedings may be paused until the request for an expedited dismissal is resolved. The bill also allows defendants in some cases to recover legal fees if the lawsuit is dismissed.
“People should be able to speak their mind on the issues that matter most to them without the fear of becoming ensnared in an expensive, time-consuming lawsuit,” said First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay V. Ruotolo. “The law signed by Governor Murphy today makes it much more difficult to use the legal system as a weapon, with the intent to bully individuals into silence. New Jersey is proud to become the latest state to enact a law that discourages, and creates a streamlined process to dismiss, baseless lawsuits that improperly target the lawful exercise of free speech.”
With this bill signing, New Jersey joins a host of other states in adopting an anti-SLAPP law and becomes the sixth state to specifically enact particularly strong protections based on the Uniform Law Commission’s ‘Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.’Sponsors of the legislation include Senator Joseph Lagana and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, as well as Senator Jon Bramnick and Assembly members Carol Murphy and Kevin J. Rooney.
“Lawsuits should not be weaponized as a means of silencing someone speaking out about a controversial issue,” said Senator Lagana. “This legislation will protect residents against frivolous, ill-intentioned lawsuits and insulate them from the financial hardships these cases can produce.”
“Money and power shouldn’t be tools to muzzle the voices of critics and whistleblowers,” said Assemblyman Mukherji. “While our democracy thrives on free speech, frivolous SLAPP lawsuits aim to stifle that freedom. With this law, we’re handing back the microphone and the pen and providing a powerful remedy so that journalists and citizens can confidently speak up without fear of unwarranted retribution.”
“Many states throughout the country have enacted laws specifically aimed at discouraging SLAPP suits. Until today, those statutes did not exist in New Jersey,” said Senator Bramnick. “Anti-SLAPP suit laws allow the defendant in a suit to file a motion that permits the court to dismiss the lawsuit for being without merit. This legislation will enact something similar in New Jersey so that people can exercise their First Amendment rights without the fear of getting bogged down in legal proceedings.”
“Too often SLAPP suits have been used to silence criticism through costly and time-consuming legal proceedings. It’s a shame that bad actors have exploited our legal system to effectively strip outspoken New Jersey residents of their First Amendment rights,” said Assemblywoman Murphy. “Today, we are taking a stand by expediting the dismissal of these lawsuits, doing away with this intimidation tactic, and protecting freedom of speech in our state.”
“I am a proud champion of diverse discourse. New Jersey must discourage those who weaponize the legal system to intimidate detractors, because it impedes healthy debate,” said Assemblyman Rooney. “Free speech in New Jersey is protected under the Constitution, but with this bill signing, the law will stand up for the vocal citizens who are too often silenced by money and power.”
“I am thrilled that New Jersey has enacted the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA), a strong anti-SLAPP bill that protects filmmakers, journalists, and everyday citizens from attacks on their First Amendment rights,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association. “Under the leadership of Governor Murphy and the state legislature, New Jersey has become a major hub of film and television production, making it ever more urgent and important that the state protect the principles of free speech and artistic freedom on which a thriving creative ecosystem depends. Thank you, Gov. Murphy and the bill sponsors, Senator Joseph Lagana and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, for working to enact UPEPA. On behalf of the MPA and our member studios, we look forward to further strengthening our excellent relationship with the Garden State.”
“The right to free speech is a cornerstone of our democracy, and we commend Governor Murphy and the bill sponsors for protecting this foundational right by making this bill law,” said ACLU of New Jersey Executive Director Amol Sinha. “This bill will help protect the public against serious and continuing threats to free speech in New Jersey by limiting the harms that people can face for speaking out on important public issues. The ACLU-NJ fights for New Jerseyans’ rights every day and we are proud to say that our rights have stronger protections today.”
“The enactment of the ‘Uniform Public Expression Protection Act’ represents a significant milestone for the State of New Jersey,” said Peggy Arbitell, Executive Director of the New Jersey Press Association. “This legislation, which enables early resolution of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), is designed to thwart lawsuits intended to intimidate or punish those engaged in constitutionally protected activity. The New Jersey Press Association strongly and enthusiastically supports this legislation, which now places New Jersey with the majority of States that recognize the importance of robust anti-SLAPP laws.”
“Anti-SLAPP laws provide essential protections for journalists and news organizations to be able to quickly dismiss meritless lawsuits from powerful parties seeking to intimidate, punish, or chill their reporting,” said Lisa Zycherman, Deputy Legal Director of Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. “Journalists must be able to report stories about matters of public interest without fear that the subjects of their coverage will target them or their newsroom with costly, baseless legal proceedings. These kinds of protections are vital to preserving the unflinching journalism that informs communities, exposes wrongdoing, and holds public figures and officials accountable.”
“This new law will protect the constitutional rights of those who engage in public protest or who advocate on issues of public importance. Too often, unjust lawsuits known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), are filed not for the purpose of seeking justice but to punish or prevent people from exercising their constitutional rights,” said Patricia M. Giordano, Esq., President of the New Jersey Association for Justice. “We thank Governor Murphy for supporting the right to free speech and signing this important legislation into law. We also thank Senators Lagana and Bramnick, Assemblymen Mukherji and Rooney, and Assemblywoman Murphy for shepherding this important affirmation of constitutional rights through the legislative process.”
“After unanimous passage in both the Assembly and Senate, New Jersey municipalities appreciate the Governor signing this legislation that protects the local government’s ability to function, without hampering the ability for residents to communicate, and ensuring that the threat of frivolous lawsuits is greatly diminished,” said Michael Cerra, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Municipalities.
“We thank Governor Murphy for signing this important legislation that will protect the rights of communities to fight back against development proposals that have a detrimental environmental impact on their neighborhoods,” said Allison McLeod, Policy Director for the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Unscrupulous developers have long utilized SLAPP suits as a way of silencing local voices. This law will enable community groups to voice their opinions on critical issues involving warehouse sprawl, water quality, and other conservation matters.”
Vivian M. Harrell, 37, of Trenton was identified in a video posted on social media allegedly covering an 8-week-old infant’s face, possibly blocking the infant’s airway, speaking in vulgar, derogatory language, and also pushing the infant’s head.
May 15, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police say that on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Trenton Police Department was made aware of a disturbing video being shared on social media. This video depicted an individual covering an infant’s face, possibly blocking the infant’s airway, speaking in vulgar, derogatory language, and also pushing the infant’s head. Multiple people contacted the Trenton Police regarding this incident. The individual in the video was identified as Vivian M. Harrell, of Trenton. The infant was 8 weeks old. An investigation was conducted by Trenton Police Department Special Victims Unit Detective Sh’Quanah Lopez and a detective from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. Harrell was subsequently arrested and charged with second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and second-degree Aggravated Assault. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency was contacted and also assisting.
Vivian M. Harrell, 37, of Trenton Charges: Aggravated Assault (2nd Degree), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2nd Degree)
CHARGES ARE MERE ACCUSATIONS AND THE ACCUSED ARE CONSIDERED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and the Jackson Township Police Department are currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist that occurred on Farmingdale Road at approximately 12:00 p.m. on June 9, 2024.
On June 9, 2024, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Farmingdale Road for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Jackson Township Police Department determined that a 2017 Audi A4 was traveling westbound on Farmingdale Road when it swerved to avoid a head on collision with a red in color SUV. In swerving into the left lane to avoid the crash, the Audi struck a bicyclist. After striking the bicyclist, the operator of the Audi over corrected his steering and struck a tree. The red SUV continued eastbound on Farmingdale Road, and left the scene.
As a result of the crash, the bicyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Audi was transported to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold for treatment of minor injuries.
Continuing investigation has revealed that the vehicle that may have caused the crash is believed to be a Hyundai – red or maroon in color. The operator of the vehicle is believed to be a Caucasian female with a young male child.
Anyone in possession of information regarding this incident is urged to contact Sergeant Brad Frank of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3689, or Sergeant Edward Travisano of the Jackson Township Police Department at 732-928-1111.
The investigation has revealed that the vehicle that may have caused the crash is believed to be a Hyundai – red or maroon in color. The operator of the vehicle is believed to be a Caucasian female with a young male child.
Update: South Brunswick Police Make Arrests in Double Stabbing Case
October 8, 2022
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Authorities have confirmed that two victims have been stabbed near the Home Depot on Wynwood Drive and Route 1 around 8:48 p.m. Details are still sketchy at this time if the victims were in the store or outside the store when the incident occurred.
South Brunswick Police, EMS and Paramedics are still on scene at the time of this report. Mutual aid paramedics were called to the scene from Captial Health in Mercer County.
This is a developing story check back for details.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 7, 2024, the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., sentenced Christopher Hurley, 27, of Little Egg Harbor, to twelve years New Jersey State Prison as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Robbery in connection with an incident that occurred in Berkeley Township on February 5, 2022. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Hurley will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Hurley pled guilty to the charge before Judge Rahill on March 18, 2024.
On February 5, 2022, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Route 9 for a report of an armed robbery. Responding Officers determined that a male suspect entered the store, brandished a knife at the cashier, and demanded money. The store staff surrendered the cash drawer to the suspect, who then fled the scene. A subsequent investigation into the matter transpired over approximately the next two weeks; as a result, Berkeley Township Detectives were able to identify Hurley as the individual responsible for robbing the Rite Aid on February 5th. In furtherance of the investigation, Detectives determined that Hurley had been arrested by Officers from Toms River Township Police Department on an unrelated charge on February 22, 2022, and was lodged in the Ocean County Jail at that time. Hurley was thereafter served with the Berkeley Township robbery charge at the Ocean County Jail on February 25, 2022. Hurley presently remains lodged in the Ocean County Jail awaiting sentence.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Toms River Township Police Department, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this matter leading to Hurley’s apprehension, guilty plea, and now his state prison sentence.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com