Tag:

Witness Tampering

Camden Driver Charged In Fatal Hit-Run Crash In Central Jersey: Prosecutor Camden Driver Charged In Fatal Hit-Run Crash In Central Jersey: Prosecutor
Camden Driver Charged In Fatal Hit-Run Crash In Central Jersey: Prosecutor A 24-year-old man from Camden has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash, authorities said. Giovanni Gaines-Little also was charged Monday, Jan. 29, with obstruction, hindering, witness tampering and driving without a license, among other charges, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department  On Feb. 25, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m., police responded to the intersection of Route 130 and Route 32 following the report of a crash. Police found Ke…
Atlantic County Jail Officer Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor Atlantic County Jail Officer Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor
Atlantic County Jail Officer Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor A sergeant at the Atlantic County Justice Facility is accused of hiding or destroying contraband taken from an inmate, prosecutors said. Fred Gilbert, 37, of Egg Harbor City is facing six charges related to an incident last year at the jail in Mays Landing, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10.  Gilbert is charged with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree witness tampering, fourth-degree obstruction, two counts of fourth-degree false reporting to law enforcement authorities, and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence. Prosecut…
NJ High School Football Coach Told Juvenile To Lie After Finding Firearm In Car: Cops NJ High School Football Coach Told Juvenile To Lie After Finding Firearm In Car: Cops
NJ High School Football Coach Told Juvenile To Lie After Finding Firearm In Car: Cops A Rancocas Valley Regional High School assistant football coach who is also a teacher’s aide faces firearms charges after juveniles accessed an unsecured handgun in his personal vehicle during a football game at the school, authorities said. Andrew Paden, 40, of Willingboro, pressured one of the juveniles to provide false information to investigators, saying he was concerned he might lose his job, according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Mount Holly Township Police Chief Richard W. Spitler. Paden was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), …
Pair Sentenced In Drive-By Shooting In South Jersey Pair Sentenced In Drive-By Shooting In South Jersey
Pair Sentenced In Drive-By Shooting In South Jersey Two Atlantic City men were sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for their roles in a drive-by shooting, authorities said. Adresce Jones, 20, and Armaad Brooks-Chappelle, 21, were sentenced on charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of community guns, and related crimes, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. A third defendant, Quran Fenwick, 19, also of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty for his role in the drive-by shooting to charges of attempted murder and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose. Although Fenwick was a juvenile at the time of …
NJ-Bred Fugees Founder Pras Michél Convicted In Federal Foreign-Influence Trial NJ-Bred Fugees Founder Pras Michél Convicted In Federal Foreign-Influence Trial
Nj-bred Fugees Founder Pras Michél Convicted In Federal Foreign-Influence Trial UPDATE: New Jersey-bred rapper and producer Pras Michél, best known as a founding member of the Fugees, was convicted by federal jurors in what the government called a "clandestine foreign influence campaign scheme." The Grammy-winning '90s hip-hop star was found guilty of 10 counts following an influence-peddling trial in Washington, DC, that featured high-profile witnesses such as Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Justice Department accused Michél, 50, of collecting millions of dollars from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho to launder money embezzled fro…
Mom Of NJ TikTok Cheer Coach Tampered With Son's Sex Assault Investigation: Police Mom Of NJ TikTok Cheer Coach Tampered With Son's Sex Assault Investigation: Police
Mom Of NJ TikTok Cheer Coach Tampered With Son's Sex Assault Investigation: Police A 25-year-old cheer coach accused of sexually assaulting the young athletes at his New Jersey gym apparently had help from mommy dearest amid the investigation, say police who recently arrested and charged the 51-year-old woman with infringing on the investigation. Angela Ryker, of Hammonton, faces charges of criminal attempt and witness tampering in the probe of her son and Rockstar Cheer coach, Jonathan Ryker, Medford Township police said. Ryker became the center of an investigation in August 2022, when authorities in Medford got a tip that he sent explicit content to a minor on social me…
Gift Cards-For-Votes Scheme Leads To Election Fraud Indictments: NJ Prosecutor Gift Cards-For-Votes Scheme Leads To Election Fraud Indictments: NJ Prosecutor
Gift Cards-For-Votes Scheme Leads To Election Fraud Indictments: NJ Prosecutor Three campaign workers for a Perth Amboy City Council candidate have been indicted for bribery, witness tampering and election law violations after offering gift cards to voters, authorities said. A detective reportedly posed as a voter to make the arrest, they said. A Middlesex County grand jury returned a seven-count indictment charging campaign workers Ana Camilo, 62, Annet Sanchez, 52, and Maria Peralta, 60, all of Perth Amboy, with various offenses stemming from their involvement in efforts to offer $20 ShopRite gift cards to voters in return for completed mail-in b…
NJ Man Had Help From Brother Hiding Ex's Body In Chemical Filled Trash Bags, Jury Finds NJ Man Had Help From Brother Hiding Ex's Body In Chemical Filled Trash Bags, Jury Finds
NJ Man Had Help From Brother Hiding Ex's Body In Chemical Filled Trash Bags, Jury Finds A Newark man was convicted of stalking and killing his ex-girlfriend in 2018 before trying to disintegrate her remains by keeping them in garbage bags filled with chemicals, authorities announced.  The man's brother was also convicted of trying to hide the body. A history of domestic violence including strangulation and aggravated assault led up to the harrowing moment Gualberto Lebron, now 37, killed Julia Vega, a mom of three, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said. During one incident, Vega escaped the apartment where her children were, and was chased outs…
Camden County Man Sentenced For Choking A Woman: Prosecutor Camden County Man Sentenced For Choking A Woman: Prosecutor
Camden County Man Sentenced For Choking A Woman: Prosecutor A 51-year-old Camden County man was sentenced to 13 years in New Jersey State prison for choking a woman and other charges, authorities said. Larry McMillan of Sicklerville had been found guilty of aggravated assault on a domestic violence victim and tampering with a witness, among multiple other charges, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The charges stem from an incident on Nov.12, 2019, in Camden City, when McMillan assaulted and choked the victim, the prosecutor said. McMillan attempted to tamper with the victim in an effort to have her recant prior statements mad…
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor 4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said. The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14. They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers. Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…
South Jersey Police Officer Acquitted On Misconduct Charge: Report South Jersey Police Officer Acquitted On Misconduct Charge: Report
South Jersey Police Officer Acquitted On Misconduct Charge: Report A South Jersey police officer was cleared of official misconduct in a jury trial accusing him of using his badge to collect a friend's $200 debt, NJ Advance Media reported. However, Deptford Police Sgt. Rudy Ruiz, 41, could face a retrial of one of seven charges against him, the outlet said. The jury was stuck in a deadlock on a single charge of official misconduct. Jurors also found Ruiz not guilty of witness tampering, the outlet said. Meanwhile, Ruiz stated in a 2020 lawsuit that he was only charged as a retaliation effort by other officers after he complained about another police serge…
4 Indicted In Atlantic City Crackdown On Gang Violence 4 Indicted In Atlantic City Crackdown On Gang Violence
4 Indicted In Atlantic City Crackdown On Gang Violence Four Atlantic City residents have been indicted on attempted murder and witness tampering charges in connection with a gang-related shooting that occurred on Friday, Aug. 12, authorities said. An investigation found that Armaad Brooks-Chappell, 20, Adresce Jones, 19, and a juvenile male co-conspirator, utilized a stolen vehicle and multiple firearms to coordinate a planned attack on a 22-year-old victim from Atlantic City, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.  The defendants allegedly ambushed M.B., who was walking on the sidewalk and opened fire. M.B. was struck multi…
NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car
NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car A South Jersey woman will spend a year and a day in federal prison for trying to bribe the operator of an impound lot to break into a police-seized vehicle and steal a gun. Saidah "Sacha" Davis, 42, went to the home of a Camden tow lot operator along with ex-con Anthony "Papa Smurf" Parker after his vehicle was seized, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Detectives were waiting for a judge to approve a warrant to search the vehicle, which Davis said created a "problem" for Parker, who'd previously served time on weapons offenses, he said. Davis, of Woodlynne, offered $2,000 to the…
Hotel-Based Atlantic City Ex-Con Drug Dealer Gets 30 Years, No Parole, In Federal Prison Hotel-Based Atlantic City Ex-Con Drug Dealer Gets 30 Years, No Parole, In Federal Prison
Hotel-Based Atlantic City Ex-Con Drug Dealer Gets 30 Years, No Parole, In Federal Prison A drug dealer who operated out of a hotel room just off the Atlantic City boardwalk must spend the next 30 years in federal prison. Sean Figaro, 35, rejected a deal from prosecutors, went to trial and was convicted by federal jurors Camden in July 2019 of selling heroin, gun possession by a convicted felon and witness tampering, among other charges. He'll have to serve out the sentence handed down this week because there’s no parole in the federal court system. Figaro was arrested in early 2017 by members of the Atlantic City Child Exploitation Task Force during a raid at the Econo Lodge o…
Philadelphia Ex-Con Gets 98 Years In NJ State Prison For Fatal Atlantic City Crime Spree Philadelphia Ex-Con Gets 98 Years In NJ State Prison For Fatal Atlantic City Crime Spree
Philadelphia Ex-Con Gets 98 Years In NJ State Prison For Fatal Atlantic City Crime Spree A Philadelphia man must serve nearly 80 years in New Jersey state prison before he is eligible for parole for a fatal shooting and other crimes, authorities said. Avery Bracey, 39, was sentenced to 50 years for felony murder, 18 years for attempted witness tampering, 17 years for first-degree robbery, four years for criminal restraint, 18 years for weapons offenses, eight years for aggravated assault and three years on drug charges. Accounting for both consecutive and concurrent sentences, Bracey’s aggregate sentence is 98 years in New Jersey state prison, with nearly 80 years to be served …
Prosecutor: NJ Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness Prosecutor: NJ Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness
Prosecutor: NJ Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness A Passaic County man and a companion tried to bribe a child sex assault victim and a witness with cash, tuition assistance – even a car -- to change their stories, authorities said. Sergio Bernal, 33, of Passaic was originally charged with sex assaults on the underage victim at various residences in Passaic from October 2013 to August 2020, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Thursday. A judge ordered that he remained held in the Passaic County Jail pending trial. Both Bernal and Maricella Gonzalez, 52, of Garfield then tried to get the victim and witness to recant their state…
Drug Dealer Gets 35 Years State Prison In Fatal Overdose, Burlington County Prosecutor Says Drug Dealer Gets 35 Years State Prison In Fatal Overdose, Burlington County Prosecutor Says
Drug Dealer Gets 35 Years State Prison In Fatal Overdose, Burlington County Prosecutor Says A 42-year-old man from South Jersey has been sentenced to 35 years in connection with a drug customer's overdose death, authorities said.  Bryant Tayler of Pemberton Township was charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death for allegedly selling  fentanyl-laced heroin, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina. Taylor must serve 85 percent of the term before becoming eligible for parole, the prosecutor said. “Fentanyl is a deadly poison, responsible for the majority of the nearly 100,000 overdose deaths in our country last year," Coffina said.&n…
South Jersey Man Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Child, Prosecutor Says South Jersey Man Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Child, Prosecutor Says
South Jersey Man Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Child, Prosecutor Says After a five-week trial, a  43-year-old man from Camden County was found guilty of sexually assaulting a child, authorities said.  A Camden County jury found Dana Williams of Sicklerville, guilty Friday on all counts of the indictment which included: Ten Counts Aggravated Sexual Assault (1st Degree) Six Counts Sexual Assault (2nd Degree) Two Counts Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2nd Degree) Two Counts Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (3rd Degree) One Count Witness Tampering (3rd Degree) At the trial, evidence was presented that Williams allegedly sexually assaulted a child…
SEEN HIM? Police Seek NJ Man, 27, Accused Of Beating GF’s 3-Year-Old Son To Death At Hotel SEEN HIM? Police Seek NJ Man, 27, Accused Of Beating GF’s 3-Year-Old Son To Death At Hotel
Seen HIM? Police Seek NJ Man, 27, Accused Of Beating GF’s 3-Year-Old Son To Death At Hotel Police are seeking the public’s help locating a 27-year-old man they say fatally beat his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son at a New Jersey hotel. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Edwin A. Urbina on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of children, third-degree tampering with a witness and fourth-degree tampering with evidence, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said Monday in a joint release with other county officials. Urbina, whose last known address was on Clyde Potts Drive in Morristown, is accused of physically beating the boy at the Oyo H…
Prosecutor: Jersey Shore Man Sentenced To State Prison For Fatal Shooting Of Beachwood Man, 27 Prosecutor: Jersey Shore Man Sentenced To State Prison For Fatal Shooting Of Beachwood Man, 27
Prosecutor: Jersey Shore Man Sentenced To State Prison For Fatal Shooting Of Beachwood Man, 27 A 32-year-old Ocean County man has been sentenced to state prison for fatally shooting another man in South Toms River, authorities said Monday. Marcus Samuels, of South Toms River, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of Willie Love, 27, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a release. Samuels was behind the wheel of a 2004 Dodge Nitro when he pulled up to a vehicle driven by Love, of Beachwood, and fatally shot him near the Community Medical Center on June 8, 2015, Billhimer said. Love was later pronounced dead at Commu…
Wife Of Instagram Celeb Jailed In Plot To Kidnap, Terrorize NJ Man Who Trashed Him Online Wife Of Instagram Celeb Jailed In Plot To Kidnap, Terrorize NJ Man Who Trashed Him Online
Wife Of Instagram Celeb Jailed In Plot To Kidnap, Terrorize NJ Man Who Trashed Him Online The wife of Bergen County-based Instagram influencer "Jay Mazini” was in on a plot to kidnap, threaten and terrorize a Fort Lee man who’d posted negative comments about him on social media, authorities said Friday. Joumana Danoun, 21, of Paterson also then tried to get the victim to drop the charges, they said. Danoun joined her husband in the Bergen County Jail following her arrest Thursday. "Mazini" of Edgewater, whose real name is Jebara J. Igbara, 26, has been held in the county lockup since authorities arrested him on kidnapping charges in March. An FBI detainer prevents a local judg…
Grand Jurors Indict 14 In Shooting Of NJ State Trooper Grand Jurors Indict 14 In Shooting Of NJ State Trooper
Grand Jurors Indict 14 In Shooting Of NJ State Trooper Fourteen people were indicted Monday in connection with the shooting of a New Jersey State Police detective who was investigating a trailer park home invasion. Attempted murder and aggravated assault charges were returned by a state grand jury in Trenton against Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings 22, Kareen “Kai” Warner, 20, and ex-con Tremaine Hadden, 28, all of Bridgeton, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. Eleven other defendants were indicted on various charges, he said. Imari Lazu, 23, of Bridgeton, was previously charged, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiracy to commit witness tamper…
Jersey Shore Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal 2015 Shooting Death, Witness Tampering, Prosecutor Says Jersey Shore Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal 2015 Shooting Death, Witness Tampering, Prosecutor Says
Jersey Shore Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal 2015 Shooting Death, Witness Tampering, Prosecutor Says A 32-year-old man from South Toms River has admitted fatally shooting another Ocean County man six years ago, authorities said. Marcus Samuels, 32,  pleaded guilty  to aggravated manslaughter and witness tampering, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. Samuels also admitted to an unrelated charge of aggravated assault, authorities said. Samuels' pleas came Friday in connection with the May 2015 shooting death of Willie Love, 27, of Beachwood, in Seaside Heights, the prosecutor said. Love died of a gunshot wound to the chest at Community Medical Center in Toms River,…
Contractor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Pre-Teen In Bergen, Passaic Over Several Years Contractor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Pre-Teen In Bergen, Passaic Over Several Years
Contractor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Pre-Teen In Bergen, Passaic Over Several Years A Paterson contractor was charged with sexually assaulting a pre-teen in Bergen and Passaic counties over the course of five years and then trying to bribe a witness when investigators caught on to him. Milton Carchipulla, a 39-year-old self-employed general contractor, remained held Monday in the Bergen County Jail for a series of alleged assaults that date back to 2012. Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said detectives from his Special Victims Unit began investigating Carchipulla after receiving a report in January that he’d “engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of si…
Feds Charge Jersey Shore Woman With Threatening To Kill FBI Snitch Feds Charge Jersey Shore Woman With Threatening To Kill FBI Snitch
Feds Charge Jersey Shore Woman With Threatening To Kill FBI Snitch A Monmouth County woman threatened to kill an informant in a federal drug case, authorities charged. Kaitlyn R. Powers, 32, of Aberdeen took two runs at the informant, whose drug buys -- particularly of crack -- led directly to the arrests of two men, Richard N. Edwards Jr. of Old Bridge and Jamil J. Yasin of East Orange, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. The first time was on April 7, when Powers “confronted the confidential source in a parking lot of a convenience store in Cliffwood Beach and threatened, among other things, to have the confidential source killed in retaliation f…
Prosecutor: Clifton Man Tried To Get Kidnap Victim To Drop Charges Against Instagram Influencer Prosecutor: Clifton Man Tried To Get Kidnap Victim To Drop Charges Against Instagram Influencer
Prosecutor: Clifton Man Tried To Get Kidnap Victim To Drop Charges Against Instagram Influencer A Clifton businessman tried to bribe a kidnapping victim into dropping charges against Bergen County-based Instagram influencer “Jay Mazini,” authorities charged. Bassam Patrick Aljanadi, 56, “contacted the victim and his family on numerous occasions,” Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Thursday afternoon. Aljanadi, who owns a heating and air conditioning company, offered the victim cash in exchange for dropping kidnapping charges filed against Jebara Igbara, the prosecutor said. He did this to “try and obstruct and/or impede the investigation and prosecution of Igbara,” Musella sa…
Ex-Teacher, Wrestling Coach Indicted For Criminal Sexual Contact Worked At Dozens Of NJ Schools Ex-Teacher, Wrestling Coach Indicted For Criminal Sexual Contact Worked At Dozens Of NJ Schools
Ex-Teacher, Wrestling Coach Indicted For Criminal Sexual Contact Worked At Dozens Of NJ Schools A former special education teacher and college wrestling coach who worked for dozens of New Jersey schools and youth programs has been indicted for endangering the welfare of a minor, filming/possession of child exploitive material, and criminal sexual contact, authorities said.  John M. Denuto, 44, of Spotswood, was indicted on more than two dozen counts of charges relating to child endangerment, invasion of privacy, possession of child pornography witness tampering and more, according to Middlesex County Yolanda Ciccone and Chief John Zebrowski of the Sayrevil…
Prosecutor: Passaic County Home Health Aide Beat Child, 12, With Belt, Assaulted Adult Rescuer Prosecutor: Passaic County Home Health Aide Beat Child, 12, With Belt, Assaulted Adult Rescuer
Prosecutor: Passaic County Home Health Aide Beat Child, 12, With Belt, Assaulted Adult Rescuer A home health aide from Passaic County beat a 12-year-old child with a belt, then assaulted an older woman who tried stop her, authorities said. Two other youngsters – one 14, the other 6 – witnessed the assaults by Lwanda Segura, 34, of West Milford on the child and a 54-year-old township woman, they said. A grand jury in Paterson indicted Segura on five counts of child endangerment and two each of aggravated assault and witness tampering, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Wednesday. Segura was released following the May 2020 incidents and ordered released by a judge soon a…
Authorities: Paterson Man Punched Girlfriend's Baby In Gut, Bribed Daughter, Son To Lie Authorities: Paterson Man Punched Girlfriend's Baby In Gut, Bribed Daughter, Son To Lie
Authorities: Paterson Man Punched Girlfriend's Baby In Gut, Bribed Daughter, Son To Lie UPDATE: A 37-year-old Paterson man punched his girlfriend's 1-year-old baby in the stomach, then bribed his other two children with a toy and money to lie about it after the severely injured infant was hospitalized, authorities said. Jeanandre Desir promised his 5-year-old daughter a Barbie doll and gave his 8-year-old son $10 to cover for him, according to documents on file in Superior Court in Paterson. He also frightened them by saying he'd go to prison if anyone found out what he'd really done, the documents show.  Doctors at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center contacted detectiv…
Authorities: Paterson Man Punched Girlfriend's Baby In Gut, Bribed Daughter, Son To Lie Authorities: Paterson Man Punched Girlfriend's Baby In Gut, Bribed Daughter, Son To Lie
Authorities: Paterson Man Punched Girlfriend's Baby In Gut, Bribed Daughter, Son To Lie A 37-year-old Paterson man punched his girlfriend's 1-year-old baby in the stomach, then bribed his other two children with a toy and money to lie about it after the severely injured infant was hospitalized, authorities said. Jeanandre Desir gave his 5-year-old daughter a Barbie doll and his 8-year-old son $10 to cover for him, according to documents on file in Superior Court in Paterson. He also frightened them by saying he'd go to prison if anyone found out what he'd really done, the documents show.  Doctors at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center contacted detectives with the Passa…
Prosecutor Details How Driver Caused Deadly Parkway Crash Then Tried To Cover It Up Prosecutor Details How Driver Caused Deadly Parkway Crash Then Tried To Cover It Up
Prosecutor Details How Driver Caused Deadly Parkway Crash Then Tried To Cover It Up A 43-year-old Newark man has been charged with causing a deadly crash earlier this week on the Garden State Parkway then trying to cover up his role in it, authorities said. Ronaldo Godwin was heading southbound behind the wheel of a Range Rover when he struck a Lexus SUV driven by Christopher Meikle, of East Orange, at a high rate of speed around 2:45 a.m. Feb. 15,  members of the Union County Prosecutors Office said. Responding New Jersey State troopers found 46-year-old Meikle's SUV engulfed in flames near the highway's center median shortly before 2:45 a.m. near mile marker 136 in …