October 17, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A three-month investigation into cocaine distribution in Trenton culminated recently with one arrest and the seizure of $10,500 in narcotics, two handguns and $3,986 in cash, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Juan Rivera, 34, of Trenton, was arrested on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, as a result of the investigation conducted by the members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hamilton Police Division. A motor vehicle stop of Rivera in a silver Toyota Corolla was conducted by detectives in the area of Greenwood and Walnut avenues in Trenton. Rivera was detained without incident and $3,986 in cash was seized from his person. A subsequent search of Rivera’s Greenwood Avenue residence in Trenton resulted in the seizure of approximately 105 grams of cocaine and two handguns – a Smith and Wesson .38 special and a Phoenix Arms HP22A.
Rivera was charged with narcotics and weapons offenses. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, the combined street value of the confiscated cocaine is approximately $10,500.
Despite having been charged, all persons are presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Juan Rivera, 34, of Trenton, was arrested on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, as a result of the investigation conducted by the members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hamilton Police Division. A motor vehicle stop of Rivera in a silver Toyota Corolla was conducted by detectives in the area of Greenwood and Walnut avenues in Trenton. Rivera was detained without incident and $3,986 in cash was seized from his person. A subsequent search of Rivera’s Greenwood Avenue residence in Trenton resulted in the seizure of approximately 105 grams of cocaine and two handguns – a Smith and Wesson .38 special and a Phoenix Arms HP22A. Rivera was charged with narcotics and weapons offenses. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.
October 17, 2023
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on October 4, 2023, Anthony Collins, 40, of Seaside Heights, was charged with the crimes of Manslaughter and Endangering an Injured Victim in connection with the death of Robert May, 70, of Seaside Heights, on October 1, 2023, in the Borough of Seaside Heights.
On September 18, 2023, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Officers from the Seaside Heights Police Department responded to the area of Central Avenue and Sumner Avenue for a report of a fall victim. Responding Officers found a male victim – later identified as Robert May – laying on the ground next to his bicycle. Mr. May was observed to be bleeding from a laceration to his head. Mr. May was initially treated at the scene and refused further medical assistance; he thereafter left the area and returned to his residence. A subsequent investigation by the Seaside Heights Police Department revealed that Mr. May was assaulted by another individual, which caused him to fall off his bicycle and strike his head on the pavement.
On September 18, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Seaside Heights Police Department received information that Mr. May had been acting erratically subsequent to his fall, resulting in him being transported by the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad from his home to Community Medical Center in Toms River. Mr. May’s condition continued to deteriorate, and he was subsequently transferred to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. On October 1, 2023, Mr. May succumbed to his injuries. A post-mortem examination conducted on that date by the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of Mr. May’s death to be blunt force injury resulting from the assault which occurred in Seaside Heights on September 18, 2023, and the manner of his death to be homicide.
A continuing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Seaside Heights Police Department determined that Collins was, in fact, the individual who assaulted Mr. May on September 18th, ultimately resulting in his death.
On October 4, 2023, a warrant was issued for Collins’ arrest, and his name was entered in the National Crime Information Center database. On October 15, 2023, Collins surrendered himself at Seaside Heights Police Department Headquarters. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau, Seaside Heights Police Department, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and United States Marshals Service, for their collaborative 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).
October 17, 2023
TRENTON, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division announced today that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the City of Trenton and the Trenton Police Department (TPD).
The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law by TPD. The investigation will focus on TPD’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of TPD policies, training and supervision, in addition to complaint intake, internal investigation protocols, complaint reviews, complaint adjudications and disciplinary decisions.
“Police officers have the difficult job of keeping us safe, and most officers do this work with honor and distinction,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. “But if police officers abuse the trust the community places in them and fail to respect the constitutional rights of those in the community, and if the community feels threatened by those who wear the badge, it undermines public safety and endangers the very citizens they swore to protect and serve. Unfortunately, we have reviewed numerous reports that Trenton police officers may have used force inappropriately and conducted stops, searches, and arrests with no good reason in violation of individuals’ constitutional rights. Today’s announcement reflects our office’s commitment to ensuring effective, constitutional policing in Trenton and throughout New Jersey. Trenton residents should be assured that we will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of the Trenton Police Department, and that we will address any unlawful conduct we find.”
“The public must have trust and confidence that police officers will treat them fairly and with respect,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Justice Department is opening an investigation into the Trenton Police Department after an extensive review of publicly available information and other information provided to us suggesting that officers used force, stopped motorists and pedestrians and conducted searches of homes and cars in violation of the Constitution and federal law. Our experience has shown that policing practices that run afoul of the law and our Constitution can lead to distrust between police officers and the community. The Justice Department will conduct a full and fair investigation into these allegations, and if we substantiate those violations, the department will take appropriate action to remedy them.”
Before this announcement, officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division notified Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Director Steve Wilson of TPD and Director Wes Bridges of the Trenton Law Department, who have all pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with TPD.
The U.S Attorney’s Office and the Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will jointly conduct this investigation pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments through their law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution and federal law. If the Justice Department has reasonable cause to believe that the law enforcement officers of a state or local government have engaged in a prohibited pattern or practice, the department is authorized to bring a lawsuit seeking court-ordered changes to remedy the violations. In this investigation, the department will assess the law enforcement practices under the Fourth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department via email at [email protected] or by phone at 973-645-2801. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the reporting portal of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, available at https://www.civilrights.justice.gov/ or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey’s civil rights reporting portal, available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint.
Additional information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is available on its website at https://www.justice.gov/crt. Additional information about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, including the Office’s Civil Rights Division, is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement.
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Mayor W. Reed Gusciora releases statement following an announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of an investigation into the Trenton Police Department
Trenton, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division announced today that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the City of Trenton and the Trenton Police Department (TPD).
The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law by TPD. The investigation will focus on TPD’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of TPD policies, training and supervision, in addition to complaint intake, internal investigation protocols, complaint reviews, complaint adjudications and disciplinary decisions.
Mayor W. Reed Gusciora issued the following statement regarding the announcement, “I was informed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office this morning that his office will be conducting a civil pattern and practice investigation of the Trenton Police Department. I’ve instructed all levels of City government to fully cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its investigation. My administration knows all-too-well the difficulty and danger police officers face on a daily basis. We thank and support the overwhelming majority of officers at the city, county, and state level who do the right things every day to keep Trentonians safe. These officers have been instrumental in taking guns off the streets and preventing senseless acts of violence. In the past few months, over 214 firearms, 2,868 grams of crack-cocaine, and 26,066 decks of heroin, and $133,722 dollars were seized from drug and firearm traffickers. But we also recognize that the community’s trust in our police force is critical. If any members of law enforcement violate the public trust or act in contravention of our state and federal laws, they should and must be held accountable.”
Before the announcement, officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division notified Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Director Steve Wilson of TPD and Director Wes Bridges of the Trenton Law Department, who have all pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with TPD.
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