January 5, 2024
NEWARK, N.J. – The chief executive officer of a Lyndhurst, New Jersey, company was charged with falsely representing to law enforcement customers that the security cameras and equipment he sold were compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Tamer Zakhary, 49, of Toms River, New Jersey is charged by complaint with three counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements. Zakhary appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In August 2018, in order to address increased concerns that foreign intelligence actors were looking to infiltrate United States systems and exploit technologies, Congress signed into law Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019. Section 889 prohibits the federal government from procuring or obtaining video surveillance and telecommunications equipment from specifically identified Chinese companies and from entering into contracts with any entity that uses such video surveillance equipment from those specifically identified Chinese companies.
From August 2019 through December 2022, Zakhary, the owner and chief executive officer of a company that sells surveillance and security cameras and equipment, sold millions of dollars’ worth of surveillance cameras and equipment to public safety and law enforcement agencies in New Jersey, including prosecutors’ offices, sheriffs’ offices, police departments, and townships. Zakhary fraudulently misrepresented to these customers that his company’s products were compliant with Section 889. Zakhary, in fact, obtained the cameras and equipment he sold from a Chinese company specifically identified in Section 889. The customers purchased at least $35 million in surveillance cameras and equipment from Zakhary’s company, over $15 million of which consisted of federal funds and grants.
The wire fraud charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; the false statements charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. All counts are also punishable by a fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; and special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Amore, Chief of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
24-003
Defense counsel: Charles B. McKenna Esq., Morristown, and Matthew E. Beck Esq., Roseland, New Jersey
Zakhary.ComplaintDownload 
January 5, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced a state grand jury has voted to file criminal charges against a correctional police officer with the Mercer County Department of Corrections, after he allegedly accepted bribes for several years in exchange for providing inmates with illegal drugs, tobacco products, and other contraband.
Tyree L. Hobbs, 39, of Hamilton, New Jersey, was indicted last month on four criminal counts, including official misconduct charges, by New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury. The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Hobbs was charged by complaint on June 14, 2023, following an investigation by OPIA that found the officer was periodically taking bribes from inmates between approximately November 2017 until July 2022, when he was suspended without pay.
“As alleged, the defendant put personal profit ahead of his duty to protect inmates, his fellow officers, and the public,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We will continue to hold accountable those who illegally violate the public’s trust.”
“The bribe payments the defendant was allegedly receiving have come with a high price, causing him to be suspended by his employer and now indicted by a grand jury,” said Thomas Eicher, Executive Director of OPIA. “Smuggling any contraband into a secure facility puts corrections officers and residents at risk and will not be tolerated.”
According to the complaint, the criminal conduct began roughly 10 months after Hobbs joined the Mercer County Department of Corrections in February 2017.
The investigation revealed Hobbs would periodically accept bribes for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars to smuggle in packages for inmates containing a variety of contraband, typically illicit narcotics and tobacco, into the Mercer County Correction Center (MCCC) in Hopewell Township.
Evidence gathered during the investigation showed Hobbs functioned as a courier, receiving sealed packages outside the MCCC from inmate affiliates — packages he would then bring into the facility and hide in locations accessible to the inmates for whom the deliveries were intended.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Hobbs would receive anywhere from $300 to $2,500 in bribes for each such delivery, paid to him either in cash or via mobile money-transfer apps.
It is alleged that the defendant’s conduct violated state regulations as well as policies of the Mercer County DOC that prohibit the possession, sale, or use of contraband in the MCCC and that bar officers from establishing a personal relationship with an inmate, from trading and bartering with inmates, and from giving or receiving gifts from any inmate, or any inmate’s relative, friend, or representative.
Hobbs was indicted on the following charges:
• Official misconduct (2nd degree)
• Pattern of official misconduct (2nd degree)
• Bribery in official and political matters (2nd degree)
• Acceptance or receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public servant (2nd degree)
Second-degree charges each carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
The case is being prosecuted by OPIA Deputy Attorney General Brian Uzdavinis, under the supervision of Corruption Bureau Chief Peter Lee, OPIA Deputy Director Anthony Picione and OPIA Director Eicher.
Defense counsel
Stuart J. Alterman of Alterman & Associates, Marlton, New Jersey
January 5, 2024
FREEHOLD – A male resident of Marlboro has been charged in connection with a homicide that took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Friday.
Carl A. Richards, 38, was charged with one count of first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter.
On Monday, January 1, 2024, at approximately 12:49 a.m., members of the Marlboro Township Police Department responded to a residence on Texas Road in the Morganville section of Marlboro Township for an urgent request for medical attention for a male who had been assaulted at that location. Upon arrival of police, the victim, identified as George L. Mott III, 64, was discovered unresponsive with severe trauma to his head, face, and neck. Mott was rushed to Old Bridge Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased at 1:49 a.m.
An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Bureau and the Marlboro Township Police Department revealed that subsequent to a verbal dispute, Carl A. Richards physically assaulted the victim, ultimately leading to his death. It was determined that both Mott and Richards reside at the residence.
Richards is being lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court on Friday, January 5, 2024.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley of the Major Crimes Bureau.
Carl A. Richards is represented by Antonio J. Toto, Esq. of Monroe Township.
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.
January 5, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – Two Trenton men were sentenced this week to 60 years in state prison each without parole, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced.
Treizon Thompson, 23, and Tyzir Hamilton, 22, were sentenced by Mercer County Superior Judge Peter E. Warshaw in separate appearances on January 4, 2024. Both men were sentenced to two 30-year sentences with a mandatory 30-year period of parole ineligibility. Warshaw granted the state’s request to run the sentences consecutively for a total of 60 years in state prison.
At their respective trials in December 2022 and September 2023, Thompson and Hamilton were found guilty by Mercer County juries on all counts of the indictment, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
On August 9, 2020, at approximately 7:30 a.m., patrol officers with the Trenton Police Department responded to the area of 300 Centre Street for a shooting in progress. Upon arrival, officers located the first victim, William Irizarry, 18, lying on the street in the area of 339 Centre Street. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body and was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, Julius Vargas, 18, was located inside a corner market with a gunshot wound. Vargas was transported to the hospital for treatment, however, succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
HTF detectives were able to locate a witness and numerous cameras in the area of the shooting. A suspect vehicle was identified as a black Chrysler 300 with PA plates, along with two shooters, described as two black males wearing all black clothing and black ski masks. The black Chrysler 300 was seen circling the area before the shooting, then parking and watching the victims for several minutes as they stood on the corner with others. When the suspect vehicle drove up to the corner and stopped, two shooters, later identified as Thompson and Tyzir Hamilton, exited. Both ran toward the victims, firing multiple gunshots. The driver, later identified as Darnell Davis, remained in the car. Hamilton and Thompson then chased after Irizarry as he ran into the street, continuing to shoot at him. When Irizarry fell to the ground after suffering a gunshot wound, they both continued to shoot at him as he lay on the ground. Afterward, Hamilton and Thompson returned to the suspect vehicle, which fled.
Further investigation revealed that a black Chrysler 300 was stolen out of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on August 3, 2020, and seen on an automated license plate reader camera in the area of Pennington Avenue and Reservoir Street in Trenton on August 4. Detectives were able to partially match the license plate of the suspect vehicle to that of the stolen vehicle out of Bensalem.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit conducted a physical search and forensic examination of Irizarry’s cell phone, pursuant to a search warrant, and a photo was found that Irizarry posted on his Facebook page disrespecting the H-Block gang. Detectives continued to monitor multiple public social media posts throughout the month of August of numerous H-Block gang members talking about the murders of Irizarry and Vargas, taunting and threatening friends and family of the victims. They also referenced Irizarry disrespecting the H-Block gang prior to being murdered.
On September 1, 2020, while on surveillance during another investigation, HTF detectives observed the black Chrysler 300 with Pennsylvania plates driving in the area of Perry and Southard streets in Trenton. While detectives were attempting to identify the occupants, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end on Reservoir Street near Frazier Street, where the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole and the occupants subsequently escaped on foot. Area surveillance footage shows the vehicle crash into the pole. Two black males exited the vehicle through the front passenger door, both wearing all black with their hoods up. The black males fled on Reservoir Street toward Frazier Street and subsequently made a right onto Frazier Street toward Pennington Avenue, then out of sight.
A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and detectives located a fully-loaded, 9mm Taurus handgun under the driver’s seat. The handgun was submitted to the New Jersey State Police Laboratory and identified as one of the guns used in the murders of Irizarry and Vargas. Further investigation revealed another witness who was able to identify Davis, Hamilton and Thompson as being responsible for the deaths of Irizarry and Vargas.
At the time of the arrest of all three suspects in October 2020, Prosecutor Onofri praised the investigative work of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and thanked the public for the assistance provided during the investigation. “For weeks, detectives have methodically pieced the puzzle together, identifying the vehicle and all three suspects. But the help of the public in solving this double homicide was instrumental,” he stated. “It allowed us to follow leads from the very beginning, helping to point investigators in the right direction and allowing them to connect the dots.”
Mercer County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutors Kathleen M. Petrucci and Michael C. Borgos prosecuted the cases for the state.
The investigation was led by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Sgt. Richard Sheppard of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Thompson was represented by John McMahon, Esq. and Matthew Mordas, Esq. Hamilton was represented by Mark Fury, Esq.
Treizon Thompson
Tyzir Hamilton
See original MidJersey.News stories on the murders here:
Names Released In This Morning’s Double Shooting
300 block of Center Street FILE Photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
Mercer County Jury Finds Trenton Man Guilty in August 2020 Double Homicide
Trenton Man Guilty In August 2020 Double Homicide; Faces Life Imprisonment
January 5, 2024
EDISON, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–
Although she initially dismissed that email in 2019 as “spam,” it ended up changing Sheree Aramini’s life. Reading about the non-profit New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL), she found her “greatest gift” and a pipeline to pursue her career goal as a self-described “science nerd.”
“As a teacher, you get flooded with emails to look at this program or look at that program, but this email I actually opened and read,” Aramini said. “And I’m so happy I did.”
The email highlighted NJCTL’s courses for teachers wanting to become certified to teach STEM classes, as part of the non-profit’s goal to becoming the obvious solution for the state’s ongoing teacher shortage. NJCTL’s tuition is about 25% of what a typical university charges, opening up new opportunities for all teachers.
With its endorsement and teaching programs – all taught online and asynchronous – NJCTL has become the go-to link for teachers to take their careers to a higher level by becoming certified in higher-level, high-demand subjects, such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
NJCTL was the ideal fit for Aramini, who is always embracing new courses of study. With a bachelor’s degree in international studies and master’s degree in international public relations, Aramini first entered the classroom in 2020 as a social studies teacher. She loves history, so that was a good match…at the time.
Yet she had a yearning for science…without the social.
“I didn’t dislike teaching social studies,” Aramini said. “However, I always loved science. Always. And at that time, it became my dream to be able to teach science. I was constantly looking at colleges. Do they have online classes? Do they have night classes? Maybe I could go to school this summer? How can I get these credits so that I can teach science?”
Aramini didn’t know how she could make it work. Being a full-time teacher can be draining. She just could not envision herself as an advanced college student while also holding down a full-time teaching job.
“I’m sure there are people who do it, but it’s got to be very difficult – to be exhausted after a long day of teaching, drive to a college and then have to sit there and then also do the work,” Aramini said. “So when I saw that email about getting an online STEM degree for teaching – it was like the greatest gift I could have asked for.”
As soon as Aramini verified the email – she signed up with NJCTL’s chemistry master’s program.
Having become an educator via the alternate route, Aramini began her teaching career in January 2020 – just before the pandemic closed physical classrooms the world over. She taught social studies for two years. Throughout, Aramini was studying for her NJCTL chemistry master’s degree.
“NJCTL was self-paced and had excellent videos,” she said, noting that each practice question has its own video with step-by-step explanations. That made all the difference for her.
“It was very helpful. This is not something I had in college,” Aramini said. “I did take chemistry at the time, but it was very hard and there was no YouTube, there was no one to help you with homework or explain problems.
NJCTL offers extra modeling for both the teachers in their programs and for students,” she added. “They really make it so that everyone can learn science. No matter where you are, they meet you where you’re at, and then they build you from there.”
Aramini steadily worked on her chemistry coursework at her pace, logging on during spare weekends and summer break. In the fall of 2021, she began teaching chemistry at Plainfield High School, while still working toward her NJCTL degree, which she proudly completed in August 2022.
After two years in Plainfield, she landed her dream job in Edison, where she graduated from J.P. Stevens High School in 2006.
Aramini now teaches science at the Woodrow Wilson Middle School, thanks to her advanced NJCTL degree. Never one to sit, she is now enrolled in NJCTL’s physics program as part of march toward a third master’s degree.
“Edison was my dream school district and it’s a very competitive district,” she said. “My NJCTL degree allowed me to get in the door. Having both the science and social studies background made me very marketable. NJCTL gave me my dream: to be a science educator. And I feel I’m just beginning…”
Learn more at NJCTL.org
