March 6, 2024
MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, Chief Griffin M. Banos of the Monroe Township Police Department, and the New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Taxation’s Office of Criminal Investigation announced today that a long-time tax preparer was sentenced after pleading guilty to failure to file a tax return.
In the summer of 2021, authorities received numerous reports of the filing of scores of questionable personal income tax returns on behalf of residents in Middlesex County. Subsequent investigation conducted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monroe Township Police Department, and the New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Taxation’s Office of Criminal Investigation, revealed that Jerry R. Jones, 82, of Monroe, filed hundreds of income tax returns that were fraudulent and often claimed deductions, business expenses or exemptions to which the taxpayer was not entitled to claim. These fraudulent filings frequently resulted in refunds or underpayment of income tax.
The investigation into Jones’ tax preparation business resulted in the return of an initial indictment by a Middlesex County Grand Jury on August 16, 2022, which charged Jones with second-degree possessing False Government Documents, more specifically, fraudulent birth certificates and a stamp for the United States Internal Revenue Service. These items were recovered from his residence during the execution of a search warrant.
Additional investigation revealed Jones failed to file a tax return on his own behalf for the income he derived from the preparation and filing of other individuals’ tax returns. Jones ultimately pleaded guilty to failure to file a tax return and on March 1, 2024, Jones was sentenced by the Honorable Andrea Carter, J.S.C to a five-year state prison term, which was suspended for Jones to pay the New Jersey Treasury in connection with his tax delinquency. As part of his sentence, Jones agreed not to file tax returns for anyone but himself or provide financial or accounting planning or advice for any other individuals.
Any individuals who utilized the tax related services of Jerry R. Jones are advised to re-examine their prior tax returns for any potential irregularities. Those who need further assistance may contact Detective Marcus Goode of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-4274.
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March 6, 2024
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Vincent Sabo of the New Brunswick Police Department announced today that a fatal crash is under investigation in the City of New Brunswick.
Today, March 6, 2024, at 7:08 a.m., authorities responded to Route 1 Northbound near the Goodkind Bridge following the report of a crash. Upon their arrival, authorities located an Infiniti, which had struck a Ford Pickup Truck, killing the driver of the Ford Pickup Truck, Dennis Frick, 65, of Freehold. Frick was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Infiniti was uninjured.
An initial investigation led by Officer Gliottone of the New Brunswick Police Department and Detective Alleva of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that the Infiniti was driving Southbound on Route 1 and lost control of the vehicle and crossing over the median and striking the Ford Pickup Truck that was traveling Northbound on Route 1.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information or video footage is asked to call Officer Gliottone of the New Brunswick Police Department at 732-745-5005 or Detective Alleva of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-4011.
March 6, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 4, 2024, Ryan Thompson, 35, of Trenton, pled guilty to Manslaughter before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., in connection with the death of a 55-year-old male in Berkeley Township on September 29, 2023. At the time of Thompson’s sentencing on May 3, 2024, the State will seek a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
On September 29, 2023, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to a residence on Torrey Pines Drive for a report of an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, Officers discovered the body of the victim – already deceased from an apparent drug overdose.
A continuing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, and Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, revealed that Thompson and his co-defendants, Michael Wormann, 38, of Toms River, and Tina Martinez, 61, of Trenton, were involved in the distribution of fentanyl to the victim on September 28, 2023.
On September 30, 2023, Wormann was initially charged with Distribution of Fentanyl, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Fentanyl. He was taken into custody without incident at his residence by Berkeley Township Police Officers, and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On October 17, 2023, Martinez was initially charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. She was taken into custody without incident at her residence in Trenton, transported to New Jersey State Police Headquarters in Trenton, and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On October 20, 2023, Thompson was likewise charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. He turned himself in to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters on that date, and was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has remained since.
Further investigation and toxicology analysis received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system. Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death. As a consequence, Thompson, Wormann, and Martinez were all charged in connection with the victim’s death on November 14, 2023.
Thompson is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending his sentencing on May 3, 2024. The charges against Wormann and Martinez- who were previously released from the Ocean County Jail as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform – remain pending; the public and press are reminded that at this time, the charges against Wormann and Martinez are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
Prosecutor Billhimer commends Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Berkeley Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Trenton City Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Thompson’s guilty plea.
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March 6, 2024
PERTH AMBOY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Morris Habitat for Humanity is preparing to break ground on constructing two single-family homes on Pearl Place, hoping to welcome new families early next year.
The latest Habitat project in the city could not have happened without the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Authority (PARA), which sold two 25-foot by 100-foot lots.
“Our mission is not just about redeveloping large swaths of underused property,” explained PARA Executive Director Tashilee Vazquez. “We are focused on rebuilding neighborhoods and looking for all opportunities. On this small parcel, we can fulfill homeownership for two families. This is a tremendous investment in Perth Amboy and an ideal fit for our mission.”
PARA’s agreement allows for a partnership between Morris Habitat and the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Team for Neighborhood Enterprise and Revitalization (PARTNER), a non-profit that creates housing and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. Morris Habitat and PARTNER are serving as the project redevelopers.
Liz DeCoursey, CEO of Morris Habitat, anticipates a groundbreaking this summer. The three-bedroom homes will ultimately be sold to families who meet low-income guidelines. Still, the new residents must show the ability to pay an affordable mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and all other expenses related to home ownership.
The homeowner selection process will be random, but preferences will be given to veterans and current Perth Amboy Housing Authority residents. Anyone interested in applying for a home should contact Morris Habitat.
The Pearl Place project is the latest venture for Morris Habitat in Perth Amboy, as the non-profit steadily increased its footprint in Middlesex County since it took over the territory in 2020. Homes have already been completed at 440 Lawrie St. and 662 Cortland St., while others are now under construction at 363 Inslee St. and 364 Garretson Ave.
Both Vazquez and DeCoursey expressed their appreciation to Doug Dzema, executive director of PARTNER and the Perth Amboy Housing Authority, for working closely with Morris Habitat, PARA and other program supporters to build quality, affordable homes in the city.
Morris Habitat has precise stipulations for the homes it builds. For example, all must be designed as “user friendly” as possible, with Energy Star appliances, maintenance-free materials, a single garage, handicap accessibility, the ability to use side and rear yards for recreation, and plenty of storage space. All homes are for sale; there are no rentals.
“We are excited to see Morris Habitat transform unused and neglected spaces into valuable assets for our residents, thereby enhancing the neighborhoods of Perth Amboy,” said Mayor Helmin Caba of Perth Amboy. “We look forward to working closely with all of our redevelopment partners to turn our collective vision for a rejuvenated city into reality.”
DeCoursey noted Morris Habitat also has plans to serve at least 400 families over the next three years through its home repair and aging-in-place programs. Key team members are PARTNER and the Jewish Renaissance Foundation, leveraging grants to assist residents in two Perth Amboy neighborhoods.
Separately, Morris Habitat is set to begin building 12 homes in Old Bridge, at 200 Laurence Parkway.
Staff from the Perth Amboy Office of Economic & Community Development volunteering at the Inslee Street build of a Morris Habitat home.
March 6, 2024
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Daniel Plumacker of the Sayreville Police Department announced that on Friday, March 1, 2024, Kyle Finn, 23, of Sayreville, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the crimes of Aggravated Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault.
On October 13, 2020, Sayreville Police received a report of a sexual assault that occurred at Superhero Schoolhouse, a daycare in the Parlin section of Sayreville. Upon further investigation, led by Detective Matthew Kenney of the Sayreville Police Department and Detective Suzanne Kowalski of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined that Finn, a former aide at Superhero Schoolhouse, sexually abused multiple child victims at the daycare while they were in his care.
Finn subsequently pled guilty on June 29, 2023, to six counts of first- degree Aggravated Sexual Assault and one count of second-degree Sexual Assault.
On March 1, 2024, Finn was sentenced by the Honorable Pedro J. Jimenez, Jr., J.S.C., to an aggregate term of 40 years in New Jersey State Prison. Finn must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. When released, he is subject to Parole Supervision for Life and the registration requirements of Megan’s Law.
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March 6, 2024
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced yesterday, that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Agency-Atlantic City Resident Office, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division and Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department Patrol Division and Street Crimes Unit, South Toms River Patrol Division and Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, to conduct a two month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified three residences in Brick, Toms River, and South Toms River, as being utilized by Orthis Allen, 33 of Bayville, Lauren Torres and Anthony Martinez, both 23 and of Toms River, and Ashley Banks, 33, of Brick, for the purpose of distributing ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin/fentanyl in Ocean County.
On February 27, 2024, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on the subject residences. On that date, surveillance units observed Allen and Banks exit the Brick Township residence, enter a 2020 Dodge Durango, and leave the area. A motor vehicle stop was thereafter executed by Officers assigned to the Brick Township Police Department Special Emergency Response Team; Allen and Banks were detained without incident, and ultimately transported to Brick Township Police Headquarters for processing.
Court-authorized search warrants were subsequently executed at the subject residences in Brick, Toms River, and South Toms River. As a result, law enforcement seized 150 suspect ecstasy pills and approximately 41 grams of suspect cocaine from the Brick Township residence. Execution of the search warrant at the Toms River residence resulted in the seizure of 100 wax folds of suspect heroin/fentanyl, 15 suspect ecstasy pills, a digital scale, paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution, and two loaded 9mm firearms – one with a high capacity magazine. Torres and Martinez – who were present at the Toms River residence at the time the search warrant was executed – were transported without incident to Toms River Police Headquarters for processing. The execution of the search warrant at the South Toms River address revealed nothing of evidentiary value.
Allen was charged with Distribution of MDMA, Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Narcotics Offense, Being a Certain Person not to Possess a Weapon, and Possession of High Capacity Magazine. Allen is presently lodged in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Torres was charged with Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Heroin. Torres was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Anthony Martinez was charged with Conspiracy to Possess MDMA with Intent to Distribute. Martinez was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Banks was charged with Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA, and Possession of Cocaine. Banks was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Barnegat Township Police Department Patrol Division, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Patrol Division, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Special Emergency Response Team, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, United States Drug Enforcement Agency-Atlantic City Resident Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance 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).
March 6, 2024
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka announced yesterday, that a 5-month joint investigation by South Brunswick Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) with assistance from the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office resulted in the arrest of one man and seizure of guns and ammo. “Taking illegal guns off the streets is a top priority by all in law enforcement. This case focused on the illegal trafficking of firearms from other states to New Jersey. It was a total team effort involving federal, county, and local law enforcement that stopped the gun-running operation,” said Hayducka. Detectives developed information about illegal gun sales in central New Jersey. Over weeks, it was determined that Wayne Bagley age 68 of South Brunswick was selling handguns. The investigation found that Bagley would travel to other states and make purchases of handguns at gun shows. He would then transport the firearms back to New Jersey and sell them to people. Throughout the investigation, Bagley traveled to West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Bagley had been previously denied a permit to purchase firearms in 2023. On Thursday, the Middlesex County Special Operations Response Team (SORT) arrested Bagley as he was driving. They then executed a search warrant at Bagley’s home on Texas Avenue. ATF Special Agents along with detectives recovered 7 firearms and over one thousand rounds of ammunition from his Texas Avenue home. Detectives impounded the vehicle Bagley was driving and executed a second search warrant on Tuesday. Detectives recovered additional ammunition and gun cases. Bagley was charged with multiple violations of the illegal transport and sale of firearms, illegal sale of ammunition, and conspiracy. Bagley was lodged at the Middlesex County Correction Center pending a detention hearing.
South Brunswick investigative team included Sergeant Timothy Hoover, Detective Brian Luck, Detective Rick Delucia, Detective Bryan Garrison, Detective Jamal Benbow, and Sergeant Brady Shelcusky.
Wayne Bagley age 68 of Texas Avenue, South Brunswick.
March 6, 2024
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced yesterday, that Marcus Wright, 27, of Beaufort, South Carolina was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of an Edison Speedway employee that occurred on December 20, 2018.
On September 12, 2023, Wright was convicted of the murder of John Bertram, 38, of the Fords section of Woodbridge. Wright was also found guilty of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Olya Quinnam, 26, of Beaufort, South Carolina plead guilty on September 26, 2019, to one count of first-degree armed robbery.
During a 2-week trial that began on September 5, 2023, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Seborowski and Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Lavery presented evidence and testimony showing that Wright entered the Edison Speedway Gas station on December 20, 2018, and held the up the clerk, John Bertram, with a handgun. Bertram handed the money that was in the register to Wright; after which Wright fired his weapon, killing Bertram. Quinnam accompanied Wright for the robbery but waited outside as Wright entered the store.
The investigation was led by Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Lieutenant David Abromaitis, Lieutenant James Napp, Sergeant Derek Feuerstein, Sergeant Andrew Winter, Detective James Alleva, and Detective Ben Klein; and Lieutenant Loren Long, Detective Nicholas Bayne, and Officer Robert Bertucci of the Edison Police Department.
On March 4, 2024, Superior Court Judge Andrea G. Carter, sentenced Wright to life in prison without parole for the charge of first-degree Murder. Wright was also sentenced to concurrent sentences on the remaining charges of first-degree Felony Murder, second-degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, first-degree Armed Robbery, second-degree Unlawful Possession of
a Weapon, and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
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