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Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office

Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors
Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors An Asbury Park ex-convict will spend more than three decades in prison after he was convicted of a home invasion and sexual assault, authorities said. Shawn Connolly, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday, Apr. 23 to 40 years in prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced in a news release. He'll be eligible for parole after 34 years under the No Early Release Act. Asbury Park police responded to a home on Seventh Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Officers immediately found Connolly, arrested him, and recovered what he stole from his pockets. Investigat…
Human Remains Found At NJ Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors Human Remains Found At NJ Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors
Human Remains Found At NJ Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors Foul play was not suspected after human remains were found at a Jersey Shore construction site, authorities said. An analysis of the skeletal remains hasn't shown any evidence of the people's deaths being suspicious, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago and Wall Township police Chief Sean O'Halloran said in a news release on Friday, Apr. 19.  The remains were found on the 1100 block of Narrumson Road in Wall Township on Tuesday, Mar. 12. Work had just started on the foundation of a new home when the remains were discovered. A state police anthropologist perf…
Central Jersey Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors Central Jersey Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors
Central Jersey Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors A Monmouth County man will spend more than 20 years in prison after admitting to killing his father and hiding his body in their home almost two years ago, authorities said. Kenneth Knapp Jr., 32, of Matawan, was sentenced on Thursday, Apr. 18 to 30 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 23 to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree desecration of human remains. Matawan police were called to the family's home on Matawan Avenue on Sunday, May 1, 2022, for a welfare check on 58…
NJ HS Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Freed From Jail Until Trial NJ HS Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Freed From Jail Until Trial
NJ HS Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Freed From Jail Until Trial A Mercer County high school teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student several times at a Monmouth County wildlife preserve was released from jail to await her trial, authorities said. A judge denied a request on Wednesday, Apr. 17 to keep 37-year-old Jessica Sawicki of Point Pleasant Beach in jail through her trial, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said. She was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Sawicki was arrested on Monday, Apr. 8, according to an affidavit obtai…
NJ Teacher Admits Having Unprotected Sex With Student 5X Or More: Affidavit NJ Teacher Admits Having Unprotected Sex With Student 5X Or More: Affidavit
NJ Teacher Admits Having Unprotected Sex With Student 5X Or More: Affidavit A Mercer County high school teacher admitted to sexually assaulting a student multiple times times in a vehicle at a Monmouth County wildlife preserve, according to police paperwork obtained by Daily Voice. Jessica Sawicki, 37, of Point Pleasant, was arrested on Monday, Apr. 8, and charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officers found Sawicki and the victim "in states of undress" in the back of the victim's car at Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper…
Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors
Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors A Monmouth County woman was indicted after she was accused of driving under the influence of drugs in a crash that killed a young girl, authorities said. Samantha Bonora, 31, of Howell, was indicted by a grand jury, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced in a news release on Friday, Apr. 12. She was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, and four counts of assault by auto. Howell police responded to a crash on Route 34 near the Colts Neck border at around 4:41 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. Investigators said Bonor…
Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors
Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors An Asbury Park teen admitted to raping, torturing, and killing his pet cat, authorities said. Bani Mezquititla, 19, pleaded guilty to third-degree animal cruelty by tormenting, torturing, or unnecessarily or cruelly abusing a living animal resulting in its death, and third-degree animal cruelty by using or causing or procuring the use of an animal or creature in any kind of sexual manner. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the guilty plea in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 10. Asbury Park police began investigating after someone brought a d…
NJ HS Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student In Wildlife Management Area: Prosecutors NJ HS Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student In Wildlife Management Area: Prosecutors
NJ HS Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student In Wildlife Management Area: Prosecutors A Mercer County high school English teacher was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Jessica Sawicki, 37, of Point Pleasant, was arrested for "having a sexual relationship" with a student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Apr. 9.  She was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation into the Hamilton High School West teacher began in early 2024. Investigators said Sawicki "engaged in s…
COLD CASE: Information Wanted In 1996 Killing Of Jersey Shore Convenience Store Owner COLD CASE: Information Wanted In 1996 Killing Of Jersey Shore Convenience Store Owner
Cold CASE: Information Wanted In 1996 Killing Of Jersey Shore Convenience Store Owner Police in Monmouth County are looking for help finding whoever killed a convenience store owner nearly 30 years ago, authorities said. In a news release on Thursday, Mar. 28, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said law enforcement is looking for new information about the 1996 death of Smita Amin Patel. The 35-year-old from Tinton Falls was killed inside the Little Brown Jug convenience store at the Gables Shopping Center on Route 33 in Neptune City. Investigators said Patel and her husband were co-owners of the store that's across the street from Jersey Shore University M…
Skeletal Remains Found At Jersey Shore Construction Site: Prosecutor Skeletal Remains Found At Jersey Shore Construction Site: Prosecutor
Skeletal Remains Found At Jersey Shore Construction Site: Prosecutor An investigation is under way in a Jersey Shore town where skeletal remains were found, authorities confirmed. The remains were found on a piece of property on the 1100 block of Narrumson Road in Wall Township Tuesday, March 12 where work is being done, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Wall Township Police Chief Sean O'Halloran said. News 12 was the first to break the story, noting human remains were found at an excavation project. What looks very much like SKELETAL REMAINS found at a construction home site in the Manasquan Shores section of Wall Township. M…
Asbury Park Man Convicted Of Nearly Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend To Death Asbury Park Man Convicted Of Nearly Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend To Death
Asbury Park Man Convicted Of Nearly Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend To Death An Asbury Park man was convicted of nearly stabbing the mother of his child to death, authorities said. A jury found Amando Miguel-Ortiz, 37, guilty on Friday, Mar. 8 of first-degree attempted murder, along with a third- and fourth-degree weapons offense. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the conviction in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 12. Asbury Park police responded to a report of an assault at a home on Second Avenue at around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 6, 2023. Officers found Miguel-Ortiz's ex-girlfriend with a head injury and she was rushed to a hospital for t…
Retired NJ Police Chief Showed Up Drunk To Work, Berated Officers: Investigation Details Retired NJ Police Chief Showed Up Drunk To Work, Berated Officers: Investigation Details
Retired NJ Police Chief Showed Up Drunk To Work, Berated Officers: Investigation Details A Jersey Shore police chief who retired after a heated argument with one of his sergeants broke more than two dozen law enforcement rules and had an "irretrievably broken" relationship with his officers, authorities said. Former Bradley Beach police Chief Leonard Guida committed 28 violations in seven incidents between July 2022 and November 2023, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said on Friday, March 1, the same day Guida retired — six months early. "The findings outlined in this report illustrate unmistakably that over the previous year and a half, Chief Guida has been an …
NJ Police Chief To Retire After Investigation Into Argument With Sergeant Caught On Camera NJ Police Chief To Retire After Investigation Into Argument With Sergeant Caught On Camera
NJ Police Chief To Retire After Investigation Into Argument With Sergeant Caught On Camera The head of a Jersey Shore police department will step down about three months after a heated interaction between him and one of his sergeants during a crash investigation, officials said. Bradley Beach police Chief Leonard Guida will retire on Friday, Mar. 1, according to a Monday, Feb. 26 statement from Mayor Larry Fox. The mayor said Chief Guida's retirement was six months earlier than the borough anticipated. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office investigated the exchange between Chief Guida and Sgt. William Major, which happened on Thursday, Nov. 9. At a council meetin…
NJ Police Chief Who Suspended Sergeant During DWI Arrest Center Of Investigation (VIDEO) NJ Police Chief Who Suspended Sergeant During DWI Arrest Center Of Investigation (VIDEO)
NJ Police Chief Who Suspended Sergeant During DWI Arrest Center Of Investigation (Video) A heated interaction between the chief and sergeant of a Jersey Shore police department in November 2023 has become the center of an investigation, Daily Voice has learned.  The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday, Feb. 21 that it's investigated the exchange between Bradley Beach Police Chief Leonard Guida and Sgt. William Major, which transpired on Thursday, Nov. 9. Public information officer Mark Spivey confirmed the investigation to the Daily Voice in an emailed statement. Bradley Beach (NJ) police Chief Leonard Guida. Facebook - Bradley Beach Police …
Eight Dogs Rescued From Jersey Shore Fighting Ring: Officials Eight Dogs Rescued From Jersey Shore Fighting Ring: Officials
Eight Dogs Rescued From Jersey Shore Fighting Ring: Officials Eight dogs were rescued in Monmouth County after a suspected dogfighting ring was uncovered, animal advocates said. According to the Monmouth County SPCA, Neptune Township police responded to a call about animals in distress at a home on Embury Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 3. When officers and SPCA's humane law enforcement division arrived, they followed a concrete path with fresh blood to a backyard garage with dogs barking inside of it. Officers removed the locks and found six dogs inside the garage. They were in separate crates lined with wood chips and dirty from the animals' urine and fece…
Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Himself Killing Cat Sentenced Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Himself Killing Cat Sentenced
Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Himself Killing Cat Sentenced A Monmouth County man will spend several years in prison after intentionally killing his cat and assaulting his roommate, authorities said. Christopher Sanchez, 29, of Howell Township, was sentenced on Thursday, Feb. 1 to four-and-a-half years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced. Sanchez pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and simple assault charges on Monday, Dec. 4. Howell Township police were called to Sanchez's home for an "unrelated matter" on Friday, Mar. 31. Officers found the cat's body outside of the home and began an investigation. Investigators fr…
Woman Was High On Narcotics In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors Woman Was High On Narcotics In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors
Woman Was High On Narcotics In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors A Monmouth County woman was under the influence of drugs in a crash that killed a young girl last month, authorities said. Samantha Bonora, 31, of Howell, was charged with one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, in the Jan. 13 collision that killed Kylie Williams, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Friday, Feb. 2. Bonora was also charged with driving under the influence and several motor vehicle summonses. Howell police responded to a crash on Route 34 near the Colts Neck border at around 4:41 p.m.…
NJ Dealer Who Sold Cocaine To Undercover Cop Sentenced: Prosecutors NJ Dealer Who Sold Cocaine To Undercover Cop Sentenced: Prosecutors
NJ Dealer Who Sold Cocaine To Undercover Cop Sentenced: Prosecutors A Monmouth County man will spend a dozen years in prison after pleading guilty to selling cocaine to an undercover police officer, authorities said. Tyheim McGhee, 29, of Asbury Park was sentenced on Monday, Jan. 29 to 12 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30. He entered a guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 6.  McGhee was sentenced to 12 years for first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in excess of five ounces, seven years for second-degree distribution of more than a half-ounce of cocaine, and…
'Skip-Scanning' Monmouth County Officer Shoplifted While In Uniform: Prosecutor 'Skip-Scanning' Monmouth County Officer Shoplifted While In Uniform: Prosecutor
'Skip-Scanning' Monmouth County Officer Shoplifted While In Uniform: Prosecutor A Middletown police officer is accused of stealing from several discount stores, authorities said. Brenden Santiago, 36, of Tinton Falls, was charged with third-degree shoplifting and fourth-degree attempted shoplifting on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the charges on Thursday, Jan. 25. Online records show Santiago earns upwards of $100,000 a year. Prosecutors said Santiago "skip-scanned" items from a discount department store chain six times in December 2023. "Skip-scanning" is when someone scans cheaper items instead of more expensive ones or pret…
NJ Teacher Tried Paying Teen For Sex, Sent Graphic Video: Prosecutor NJ Teacher Tried Paying Teen For Sex, Sent Graphic Video: Prosecutor
NJ Teacher Tried Paying Teen For Sex, Sent Graphic Video: Prosecutor A Monmouth County elementary school teacher is accused of trying to pay cash for a sex act from someone who he thought was a teen girl, authorities said. Thomas Carraher, 26, of Howell, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 18, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Friday, Jan. 19.  Carraher's LinkedIn bio says: "I am passionate about health, fitness, sports, and educating the youth." Prosecutors said Carraher used a social media app to ask for a sex act from someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. Investigators also found Carraher sent a graphic picture and …
'Lives Imploded:' Death Of Toddler In NJ Crash Shakes Life For Grieving Family 'Lives Imploded:' Death Of Toddler In NJ Crash Shakes Life For Grieving Family
'Lives Imploded:' Death Of Toddler In NJ Crash Shakes Life For Grieving Family One man's coworkers are rallying to support his family after his three-year-old granddaughter was killed in a New Jersey crash last weekend. A GoFundMe page was created in memory of Kylie Williams, who was identified as the toddler killed in a three-vehicle crash on Route 34 in Howell. Kylie's mother Joelle was severely injured in the wreck and has needed multiple surgeries, according to the fundraiser. The GoFundMe page was made by an employee of Lee Wetherington Homes, a house-building company from Sarasota, Florida. Kylie's grandfather, Jack Williams, is the company's vice pre…
Ex-Jersey Shore Man Gets 20 Years, No Parole For Serial Threats Against Police, Judges, Others Ex-Jersey Shore Man Gets 20 Years, No Parole For Serial Threats Against Police, Judges, Others
Ex-Jersey Shore Man Gets 20 Years, No Parole For Serial Threats Against Police, Judges, Others A former New Jersey resident with a cockamamie political history must spend the next 20 years in federal prison for threatening to kill police officers, lawyers and judges, among others, in and around Monmouth County. Eric G. Hafner, 32, formerly of Fair Haven, also made calls and sent messages to state officials while phoning in bogus bomb threats to local and state government offices, a police department, two law firms and the Monmouth Park Racetrack during a two-year terror campaign, federal authorities in Trenton said. Hafner told newspaper reporters in 2018 that he was on the lam for d…
Body Found In Jersey Shore Recycling Plant Body Found In Jersey Shore Recycling Plant
Body Found In Jersey Shore Recycling Plant A body was found amid the dropoffs at a Jersey Shore recycling plant, authorities confirmed. The adult male corpse was discovered at the Mazza Recycling plant in Tinton Falls on Wednesday, Nov. 8, Chris Swendeman of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office confirmed. It apparently was among the recyclables dumped by collection trucks from various counties. The plant was immediately closed and then reopened on Thursday. The prosecutor's office is investigating the discovery along with Tinton Falls police and the Monmouth County Medical Examiner & Coroner's Office in Freehold. Mazza rel…
Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor A patrolman at the Jersey Shore has been arrested and charged with engaging in a pattern of illegal behavior with a teenage girl, authorities said. Kevin Ruditsky, 46, who works in Manalapan Township, is believed to have sent the 16-year-old girl sexually explicit photos and handcuffed her during a traffic stop, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. An investigation by the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit was initiated earlier this month upon learning that Ruditsky had been sending inappropriate messages and photos to a 16-year-old girl, …
Friends Killed In Route 18 Crash Remembered With Motorcycle Ride Friends Killed In Route 18 Crash Remembered With Motorcycle Ride
Friends Killed In Route 18 Crash Remembered With Motorcycle Ride Several events have been planned to remember two young friends and motorcyclists killed in a multi-vehicle crash earlier this week in Monmouth County. Ka'shon K. Cross, 18, of Hazlet, and Gregory K. Tuft, of Keansburg, were identified as victims in a fatal collision with three cars along Route 18 in Marlboro on Monday, July 24, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. So sad to hear about the passing of Gregory Tutt. This kid was always so kind and genuine. Always a smile on his face... Posted by Anthony Viera on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 A balloon release organized for Grego…
Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Oral Sex From Girl Between 5-8 Years Old Gets 20 Years, No Parole Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Oral Sex From Girl Between 5-8 Years Old Gets 20 Years, No Parole
Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Oral Sex From Girl Between 5-8 Years Old Gets 20 Years, No Parole A Jersey Shore man who recorded himself sexually assaulting a girl between 5 and 8 years old is headed to federal prison for 20 years. Christian Importuna, 27, of Englishtown, must serve out the plea-bargained sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. FBI agents zeroed in on Importuna when he tried trading the videos with what turned out to be an undercover detective in March 2020, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. One of the videos shows a very young girl giving him oral sex in response to his instructions, a complaint on file in U.S. District Court says. In …
Jersey Shore Woman Bought $840K Home With Fake Documents: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Woman Bought $840K Home With Fake Documents: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Woman Bought $840K Home With Fake Documents: Prosecutor A 32-year-old woman from Monmouth County bought a $840,000 home using bogus documents, authorities said. Sydne Phillips, of Allentown, was charged with two counts of theft by deception,  impersonation and two counts of forgery, according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw. She provided fraudulent documents to obtain a mortgage and attempted to use a fraudulent $76,000 check to cover the closing costs of the real estate transaction, Bradshaw said. She was taken into custody June 1 and held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in Mays Landing pending a detention …
Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Three Teen Athletes On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Three Teen Athletes On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Three Teen Athletes On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor A former Jersey Shore gymnastics coach has been accused of sexually assaulting three of his teenage athletes, authorities announced. Sasha C. Raught, 55, of Manchester Township is charged with  aggravated sexual assault and three counts of sexual assault, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. An investigation by members of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau revealed that Raught entered into sexual relationships with three of his former athletes when they were each teenagers, Santiago said. The incidents took place before he was suspended from coaching gymnastics in…
Teen Charged In Double Fatal Route 9 Crash: Prosecutor Teen Charged In Double Fatal Route 9 Crash: Prosecutor
Teen Charged In Double Fatal Route 9 Crash: Prosecutor A Howell teenager has been charged in connection with a collision that killed two teens and injured two others in Freehold Township last year, authorities said. The defendant was 17 at the time of the crash, and because of his age, his identity is being withheld, they said. He has been charged on juvenile complaints with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide and two counts of assault by auto, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. Shortly after 10:30 p.m. on April 19, 2022, officers were dispatched to 3468 U.S. Highway 9 for a single-vehic…
Teen Who Sexually Abused, Tortured Pet Cat To Death Indicted On Jersey Shore Teen Who Sexually Abused, Tortured Pet Cat To Death Indicted On Jersey Shore
Teen Who Sexually Abused, Tortured Pet Cat To Death Indicted On Jersey Shore The 18-year-old Asbury Park man accused of sexually abusing and then killing his pet cat has been indicted, authorities said. Bani J. Mezquititla was charged with two counts of animal cruelty accusing him of sexually abusing the cat and in the cat’s death, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said. An investigation into Mezquititla began on March 2 when a concerned citizen brought the dead cat to Asbury Park police headquarters. Police and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals determined that the cat had belonged to Mezquititla, who allegedly first pe…
High School Senior Killed In Jersey Shore Crash High School Senior Killed In Jersey Shore Crash
High School Senior Killed In Jersey Shore Crash An 18-year-old Jersey Shore senior due to graduate from high school next month was killed in a crash, authorities said. Lauren Hewski, a senior at Saint John Vianney High School in Holmdel, was identified as the victim in the fatal wreck at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday May 11 on Laird Road in Colts Neck, according to multiple media accounts. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said the teenager was a passenger in a Jeep Cherokee that overturned just west of Longbridge Road. The 17-year-old driver was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. "The circumstances behind a sing…