Tag:

Somerset County Jail

NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor
NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Flemington field hockey coach was arrested on Thursday, March 28, and charged with sending one of his players, a 17-year-old girl, sexually explicit texts, authorities said. Brett Clay, a travel field hockey coach employed by Centercourt Field Hockey in Mount Olive, exchanged the text messages with the teen, a Bridgewater resident, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. Clay began sending illicit text messages in late December 2023, at one point offering her money in exchange for her sending him sexually explicit images, said McDonald alongside Chief of Count…
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors A 27-year-old Somerville man was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 4, and charged with fatally stabbing Maryrose Fealey last week, authorities said. David Shroitman was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering apprehension, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Maryrose Fealey Facebook Fealey, a Somerville resident was found by Somerville police responding to a 911 call, outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecuto…
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit At 26 years old, a woman is confronting her former New Jersey teacher who is accused of sexually abusing her 12 years ago, court documents show.  Now, the same age as her abuser when they began a relationship, the victim told now-38-year-old Lydia Pinto this month she could never fathom doing what she did: Engage in a relationship with someone 14 or 15 years old, according to the affidavit obtained by Daily Voice. Pinto, of Newton, PA, was charged earlier this month with sexually abusing a former student. The victim, identified only as Jane Doe, was a freshman at Bridgewater-Raritan …
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police A former New Jersey teacher from Pennsylvania has been accused of sexually assaulting a former student, police said. Lydia Pinto, 38, of Newton, PA, is believed to have engaged in a relationship with the student — now an adult — when they were 14 and 15 years old, in Raritan Borough, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The alleged victim was interviewed by detectives on Oct. 26, and said the relationship turned sexual and continued through their senior year of high school, McDonald said alongside other county and local officials. Pinto was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 8 i…
Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor
Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor Police have released details and made an arrest in a nearly five-hour SWAT standoff involving a hostage Friday, Nov. 10 in Somerset County. Police received 9-1-1 calls saying a man later identified as Alonzo D. Blakey, 50, was holding a female relative against her will in his apartment on Columbia Drive in Finderne, around 7:20 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Blakely was threatening to harm himself and the victim when Bridgewater police arrived, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., Bridgewate…
Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor
Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor A 40-year-old arsonist was found unconscious after setting a fire that ignited a Somerset County apartment, authorities said. Dashawn Holmes, a tenant in an East Main Street building in Somerville, was found unconscious by firefighters responding to the alarm set off just before midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 25, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Holmes was taken to an area hospital for treatment. The Somerville Fire Marshall responded to the scene and determined the fire to be suspicious in nature, said McDonald alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of…
Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree
Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree Numerous firearms and ammunition were seized from the home of an 18-year-old man who police say fired shots into three Somerset County homes in early-September. Ryan Vandermeer, 18, of Hillsborough, is being held in the Somerset County Jail on charges of attempted murder and various weapons offenses in connection with the incidents on Sept. 3 and Sept. 5, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Vandermeer is believed to have fired shots into the rear sliding glass door of a Robin Road home on Sunday, Sept. 3, between 10:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., McDonald said alongside local po…
ATTEMPTED MURDER: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says ATTEMPTED MURDER: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says
Attempted Murder: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says A Somerset County driver has been charged with attempted murder after becoming “irate” and firing two rounds at another vehicle during a road rage incident earlier this month, authorities announced. Gerald S. Chapman, 39, of Ulysses Road in Somerset, was charged with first-degree attempted murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Tuesday, May 23. Investigators say Chapman “became irate” during a road rage incident on Easton Avenue near the 287 ramp in Franklin Township around 4:50 p.m. on Friday, May 5. …
Brother Of NJ Bank Robber ‘Crazy Mike’ Arrested On Identical Charges: Prosecutor Brother Of NJ Bank Robber ‘Crazy Mike’ Arrested On Identical Charges: Prosecutor
Brother Of NJ Bank Robber ‘Crazy Mike’ Arrested On Identical Charges: Prosecutor The brother of accused Millstone bank robber “Crazy Mike” was arrested on identical charges, authorities announced on Wednesday, April 5. Ryan Gaboff, 37 of Millstone, was charged with second-degree counts of robbery and conspiracy in connection with the robbery of a bank on Route 27 in Franklin Township on Aug. 22, 2022, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a release. His brother, Michael, nicknamed "Crazy Mike,” evaded police for nearly three months with the help of family members, 66-year-old Alan Gaboff, 60-year-old Sharon Gaboff, and 23-year-old Jesse Gaboff, each of who…
DWI Wife Fatally Ran Over Husband With Car In Somerset County: Prosecutor DWI Wife Fatally Ran Over Husband With Car In Somerset County: Prosecutor
DWI Wife Fatally Ran Over Husband With Car In Somerset County: Prosecutor A Somerset County woman was DWI when fatally ran her husband over with a car in February 2023, authorities said. Amanda O'Keefe, 37, had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit when she ran over her husband, Robert O'Keefe, 41, in Hillsborough on Saturday, Feb. 25, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Robert was pronounced dead outside of his Clark Lane home around 2:30 a.m., McDonald said. O'Keefe surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, March, 29, on charges of second-degree death by auto. She was lodged in the Somerset County Jail and released on Thur…
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl while boarding a flight from Chicago to Utah, authorities said. The alleged victim told a detective with the prosecutor's office that she had been sexually assaulted by Fabian Osuna-Vargas on Oct. 19 in North Plainfield, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Two days later, Osuna-Vargas was getting on a flight from Chicago, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah on Oct. 21 when he was captured, McDonald said. He was charged with aggravated sex assault and child endangerment. Osuna-Varga…
Child Porn Seized From Central Jersey Man: Prosecutor Child Porn Seized From Central Jersey Man: Prosecutor
Child Porn Seized From Central Jersey Man: Prosecutor A 36-year-old Somerset County man has been arrested on accusations he had and shared child pornography, authorities said. A search warrant executed at Bernardino Gonzalez Lorenzana's Robin Road home in Hillsborough Monday, Nov. 7 found "numerous files depicting the sexual exploitation and/or abuse of children," Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit, agents from of U.S Homeland Security Investigation – Newark Field Office and members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department had been acting on a tip from&…
NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor
NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor A 54-year-old Princeton man was arrested for exposing his genitals to a girl at a learning center in Somerset County, authorities said. The girl told police she was walking by a man later identified as Shuai Shen, of Princeton, when he pulled his pants down and exposed himself to her on Saturday, Oct. 1 at an undisclosed educational facility in Montgomery Township,  Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Shen was identified as a possible suspect after detectives interviewed the victim, McDonald's office said. Exactly a week later, while conducting a surveillance detail…
VA Man Kicks, Spits On Officers During Arrest In North Jersey: Prosecutor VA Man Kicks, Spits On Officers During Arrest In North Jersey: Prosecutor
VA Man Kicks, Spits On Officers During Arrest In North Jersey: Prosecutor A 24-year-old Virginia man is facing charges for assaulting police officers as he was being arrested in North Jersey, authorities said. Austin E. Whitmire, of Falls Church, was bleeding from his hand in the parking lot of a business when Branchburg Township police officers arrived on the scene just before midnight on Friday, Sept. 23, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. Whitmire had allegedly been trying to break a fence before police were called. While speaking with them, the man punched the fence before yelling, cursing, and lunging at one of the officers, …
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor An odd-shaped bulge in a business patron's sock spotted by a police officer turned out to be a crack pipe, said authorities in Somerset County who also seized several vials of cocaine from him. A Branchburg officer was outside of a local business speaking to Diego Mena-Quesada, when he noticed the protrusion in his sock around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer identified the bulge as being consistent with the shape of a crack pipe, at which point 28-year-old Mena-Quesada, of Whitehouse Station, removed a crack pipe from his soc…
Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities
Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities A 48-year-old driver subject to a random license plate check by Branchburg police turned out to be wanted to failing to show up in court and had cocaine, heroin and Xanax on him and in his car, authorities said. A township officer patrolling Route 22 scanned John W. Hartrum's plates, which showed an active National Crime Information Center (NCIC) warrant around 11:50 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer stopped 58-year-old Hartrum, of Bridgewater, for a traffic violation on Route 22 West approaching France Drive, where the officer …
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor A 20-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl he met online, authorities said. The victim on July 26 told police she met an unknown male, later identified as Lenic S. Galvin, of Bound Brook, on social media before he arranged for the victim to be brought to his home, where he sexually assaulted her, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Galvin was arrested the following day on charges of aggravated sexual assault and more. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Anyone with information relating …
Somerset County Man Busted With Stolen, Loaded Handgun Leads Cops On Chase: Prosecutor Somerset County Man Busted With Stolen, Loaded Handgun Leads Cops On Chase: Prosecutor
Somerset County Man Busted With Stolen, Loaded Handgun Leads Cops On Chase: Prosecutor A Somerset County man who was busted with a stolen, loaded handgun during an argument later led police on a chase as they were attempting to take him into custody, authorities said. Officers responding to a verbal dispute at a home on Burnt Mills Road found a handgun in an open lunchbox belonging to Jorge L. Mercado, 24, of Branchburg around 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a release alongside local officials on Wednesday, July 27. The weapon had allegedly been stolen out of Williamsport, PA, and was loaded with a large-capacity magazine wi…
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor A 25-year-old woman wanted on warrants out of multiple Central Jersey towns arrested for leading a Route 202 police pursuit before crashing, authorities said. Police tried stopping Jerrie Lee Williams, of Bound Brook, around 11:05 p.m. in Branchburg when they noticed she had an expired registration, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Williams failed to stop when signaled by the officer activating his emergency police lights and siren, McDonald said. Instead, she fled on Holland Brook Road at a high rate of speed.  The officer deactivated his police emergency l…
Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges
Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges A 33-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on child porn charges, authorities said. A search of devices at Jason O'Hare's Lake Road home in Far Hills the morning of May 25 turned up  numerous sexually explicit images of children under the age of 18, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Detectives were tipped off to an apparent upload of images of sexual exploitation or abuse of a child by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  O’Hare was arrested without incident at his house and charged with 2nd degree Distribution…
NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again
NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again A 23-year-old New Jersey man who made headlines last year for his involvement in a stabbing was arrested and charged in a nearly identical crime, authorities announced. Safi N. Hill was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder, hindering, and weapons offenses, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said in a release alongside local officials on Friday, May 6. According to investigators, Hill approached a Hillsborough man walking his dog near 9th Street and Clawson Avenue before stabbing him several times in the back around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4. Hill was ide…
Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities
Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities A 60-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on child porn charges, authorities said. Gary J. Babey, of Hillsborough, sent numerous images of child sexual abuse material to another individual, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. The investigation stemmed from a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Babey was arrested on Monday, May 2 and charged with multiple child porn offenses. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail where he will remain pending a detention hearing in this matter Acting Prosecutor Taggart, Chief …
NOT SO FAST: Thief Hops Inside Woman's Unlocked Car And Drives Off, Police In NJ Say NOT SO FAST: Thief Hops Inside Woman's Unlocked Car And Drives Off, Police In NJ Say
NOT SO FAST: Thief Hops Inside Woman's Unlocked Car And Drives Off, Police In NJ Say A Somerset County man hopped behind the wheel of a woman's car  left unlocked and parked outside of her job and drove off, authorities said. Surveillance tapes show James Owens, age 39, Somerville, getting inside of the vehicle parked at a business on Route 22 before heading east on Route 22 around 11:35 a.m. on Thursday, April 28 in Branchburg, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Owens took the car to Somerville and parked it near Mechanic Street, Taggart said alongside County Detectives John W. Fodor. Police found the stolen car soon after, and identifi…
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says A third suspect wanted in a New Jersey murder case was nabbed by US Marshals agents in North Carolina, authorities said. Jose Branch, of Plainfield, was tracked down in Raleigh in connection with the March 1 shooting death of Steve Camino in North Plainfield, Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. He was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and extradited from North Carolina to Somerset County on Tuesday, April 19, Taggart said. Branch was jailed pending a detention hearing. Kenneth Hill, 21 of Plainfield, and Daniel Carrera-Cardona, 22, of Piscataway, wer…
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor The driver who struck and killed a pedestrian earlier this year was arrested, as was a woman who lied about the incident to police, authorities in Central Jersey said. Raulito Peralta, 22, of Highland Park, struck and killed New Brunswick's Treasa M. Daye-Fennie while she was crossing a street in Franklin Township last February, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Estrella Caballero-Cruz, 21, of Highland Park, was charged with providing a false report to police. Daye-Fennie was crossing Somerset Street near High Street around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, wh…
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor A 68-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on accusations he sexually assaulted a girl for three years beginning when she was six years old, authorities said. Teodoro R. Velazquez, of Bernardsville, was arrested following an investigation beginning in June 2021,  Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The girl told detectives she was abused by Velazquez from 2013 to 2017 in Bernardsville, Chirichella said alongside local police. Velazquez was arrested Wednesday, March 23, on various degrees of aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment. He was lodged in …
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police A 26-year-old Somerset County man who led two separate police pursuits in stolen cars — both of which he crashed — has been arrested on theft and drug charges, authorities announced. Nicholas G. Aiello first started trouble on Feb. 24, when police responding to reports of a stolen vehicle spotted it speeding eastbound on Route 28 around 9:20 p.m. in Branchburg, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The officer activated his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, but discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons as the vehicle sped out of sight. A short time later, off…
NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students
NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students A 44-year-old martial arts instructor was arrested for sexually assaulting two teen students, authorities in Somerset County said. Vincent Damiano carried out the assaults in Branchburg Township (Somerset County), Asbury (Warren County), and the Borough of Lebanon (Hunterdon County) from May 2019 to July 2019, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Damiano's website says he is a "multi-business entrepreneur, adventurer, speaker, coach, martial arts instructor, and combat veteran," who served 10 years in the military "and now serves his community by giving back through on…
'BOUND & RESTRAINED': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car 'BOUND & RESTRAINED': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car
'Bound & Restrained': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car A 36-year-old New Jersey mom was charged with two counts of first-degree murder after her two young children were found "bound and restrained" -- and dead -- in the back seat of her car, authorities said. A 911 call was received around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday, reporting a disabled vehicle on Mountain View Road in Hillsborough, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Responding officers found the driver, Yuhwei Chou, of Skillman, and two children -- one in a booster seat and the other in a baby seat -- bound and restrained in the car's back seats, authorities said. Investigators det…
NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor
NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor A New Jersey fencing coach was arrested for sexually assaulting two teenagers then gave false statement in his detention hearing, authorities said. A 16-year-old girl reported being sexually assaulting by Stephen Kovacs, 49, of Watchung, in Bridgewater in August and September 2021, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.  Then, a 19-year-old woman said she was also sexually assault by Kovacs -- formerly of Clifton -- when she was 18, Robertson said. The victim earlier this month disclosed incidents of sexual assault that occurred in Bridgewater from January 2020 to …
NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting
NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting A Somerset County jury returned guilty verdicts of attempted murder and other charges against a 39-year-old man for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend and another man in a 2018 drive-by shooting. Robert W. Smith, formerly of Bridgewater, on May 4, 2018 fired three shots into a 2011 Mazda CX7 carrying his ex (and the mother of his two children) and the other victim around 10 p.m. in the Finderne Section of Bridgewater, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Smith's Nissan Rogue struck a utility pole, and he suffered a fractured leg. The Mazda crashed off the east …