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Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield Man Gets Nearly One Year For Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Gets Nearly One Year For Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Gets Nearly One Year For Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Plainfield man was sentence to 364 days in prison on Friday, Nov. 22 after previously being convicted of assaulting a North Plainfield police officer by dragging him on his dirt bike in April 2022, authorities said.  Victor Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 along with 15 to 20 others, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. The dirt bikers were driving recklessly by weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies and obstructing the passage of other vehicles, authorities said. Officer James Kirchner attempted to apprehend Ogando-Marte ne…
Last Look At New Jersey's 12 Congressional Races: Your Guide To The 2024 Election Last Look At New Jersey's 12 Congressional Races: Your Guide To The 2024 Election
Last Look At New Jersey's 12 Congressional Races: Your Guide To The 2024 Election More than 1.9 million people have already cast their vote in New Jersey ahead of the 2024 election. Here's one last look at who's on the ballot in the Garden State's 12 Congressional races, and what you need to know. District 1: All of Camden County, as well as parts of Burlington County and Gloucester County. Teddy Liddell and Donald Norcross. Teddy Liddell for Congress/Donald Norcross Facebook photos Democratic candidate Incumbent Rep. Donald Norcross: A father of three and electrician, Norcross was elected in 2014 having previously served in both the State Senate and Assembly. …
Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Plainfield man was convicted on Friday, Sept. 13 of assaulting a North Plainfield police officer by dragging him on his dirt bike in April 2022, authorities said. On April 13, Victor Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 along with 15 to 20 others, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. The dirt bikers were driving recklessly by weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies and obstructing the passage of other vehicles, authorities said. Officer James Kirchner attempted to apprehend Ogando-Marte near Rock Avenue, but he used his dirt bike to drag h…
19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says 19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says
19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says Nineteen retailers across New Jersey are facing $4,500 after an investigation found they'd been selling flavored vape products banned in the Garden State, the NJ Attorney General's Office said. All 19 stores were issued a Notice of Violation after they were found to have violated the state's consumer protection laws, AG Matthew Platkin said. The enforcement actions are the result of a Division investigation into unlawful sales of flavored electronic smoking devices and products, including mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate flavors, Platkin said.  The Division launched its investigation…
New Charges Filed Against Former NJ Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG New Charges Filed Against Former NJ Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG
New Charges Filed Against Former NJ Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG A 70-year-old former mayoral candidate town previously accused of election fraud is facing new charges, New Jersey authorities announced Friday, Aug. 23. An indictment returned against Plainfield's former mayoral candidate Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim charges him with tampering with witnesses and informants and trafficking in personal identifying information pertaining to another person, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Ibezim had previously been accused of trying to submit hundreds of bogus voter registration applications to Union County's election officials, and th…
Former Plainfield Recreation Director Killed In Piscataway Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy' Former Plainfield Recreation Director Killed In Piscataway Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy'
Former Plainfield Recreation Director Killed In Piscataway Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy' A Plainfield man was killed in a crash on Interstate 287 in Piscataway, authorities said. David Wynn, 68, died in the wreck on I-287 South on Thursday, Aug. 15, a state police spokesperson said. Troopers responded to the crash near milepost 8.8 at around 8:24 p.m. Investigators said Wynn was driving a Chevrolet vehicle when he crashed into the back of a trailer hauled by a Chevrolet pickup. Wynn's vehicle went off the highway and hit several trees. Wynn was a former director for Plainfield's parks and recreation department, according to a city council agenda and his Facebook page. Those w…
Former Trenton Teacher, Basketball Coach Sexually Assaulted Student Over Five Years: Prosecutor Former Trenton Teacher, Basketball Coach Sexually Assaulted Student Over Five Years: Prosecutor
Former Trenton Teacher, Basketball Coach Sexually Assaulted Student Over Five Years: Prosecutor A former Trenton elementary school teacher and middle school coach was accused of sexually assaulting a student for about five years, authorities said. Darrell Moody, 51, of Plainfield, was arrested on Monday, Aug. 12, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa Hilton said in a news release. He was a teacher at Parker Elementary School and a basketball coach at Joyce Kilmer Middle School. Investigators said the victim reported the sexual assault claims to Trenton police in May. Moody met the victim while he was teaching fifth grade at Parker. The victim claims Moody sexually as…
Police ID Drowning Victim At Dangerous NJ Lake As 18-Year-Old Trespasser Police ID Drowning Victim At Dangerous NJ Lake As 18-Year-Old Trespasser
Police ID Drowning Victim At Dangerous NJ Lake As 18-Year-Old Trespasser A teen swimmer has died after being pulled from a notoriously dangerous and privately owned lake in Manchester Township. Victor Arias-Peralta, 18, of Perth Amboy drowned at Crystal Lake on Monday, July 29, the Manchester Township Police Department said in a news release.  Investigators said Arias-Peralta was with a group that trespassed on the Heritage Mineral property at around 6 p.m. Arias-Peralta and a friend tried to swim across the lake when Arias-Peralta suffered from "severe fatigue" and became distressed about 20 yards from the shore. Friends…
Kids Sexually Assaulted In NJ Church Bathroom, Police Say Kids Sexually Assaulted In NJ Church Bathroom, Police Say
Kids Sexually Assaulted In NJ Church Bathroom, Police Say A 68-year-old Plainfield man has been charged with sexually assaulting two minors in a church in North Plainfield last month, authorities said. On Sunday, June 23, at 4:38 p.m., police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a sexual assault of a minor earlier that day, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti said.  Pierre Joseph, the suspect, was detained at the church while they awaited police, authorities said While Joseph was transported for questi…
Plainfield Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Injured Seven: Somerset County Prosecutor Plainfield Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Injured Seven: Somerset County Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Injured Seven: Somerset County Prosecutor A 24-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, May 10, for a DUI crash that left seven people injured last June. Jose Cruz Villanueva-Izaguirre was behind the wheel of a 2004 Honda Civic and collided with a Kia Sedona after driving at high speed through a red light on June 11, 2023, at 2:09 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. Villanueva-Izaguirre, as well as his passengers — two adults and a teen — were seriously injured in the crash, authorities said. One passenger was found unresponsive in the back seat, suffering from near-fatal i…
Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market
Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market Nine reputed members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder street gang were charged by Homeland Security agents in New Jersey with peddling fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine at an open-air drug market. Working with local law enforcers, agents with HSI Investigations Newark homed in on a neighborhood on West 3rd Street in Plainfield where the subset of the Bloods controlled the drug trade, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. For months, they witnessed and recorded sales, conducted undercover buys -- some by confidential informants -- and analyzed phone records, the U.S. attorney said. …
Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint
Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint An employee with the Plainfield School District and a board of education trustee in Montgomery was arrested last month and charged with stealing money meant for a school program, authorities said. Between March 2021 and May 2023, Zelda Spence-Wallace, 54, pocketed $13,000 meant for the Plainfield Board of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Center Program and used it for her own personal gain, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice. Spence-Wallace was charged with theft by deception and theft of moveable property. The mother of five served as project director for…
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor 4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor
Sayyid Acosta Shooting A fourth man has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting that occurred near the Rutgers University campus in New Brunswick, authorities said. On April 5, at approximately 2 a.m., authorities responded to 66 Easton Avenue after a report of a shooting. Police found one female and one male victim, who sustained gunshot wounds and were subsequently taken to Robert Wood Hospital for treatment.  Both victims were affiliated with Rutgers, campus police said. On April 6, Walter Rodriguez-Cardenas, 20, was arrested without incident in Plainfield w…
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD A 57-year old Plainfield man was fatally struck by a car as he was checking on a pedestrian he hit with his vehicle near Costco in North Plainfield on Thursday, April 4, authorities said. At 11:37 p.m. police responded to Route 22 East and discovered two motor vehicle crashes had taken place, North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti said. Danti Bryant had just struck a 31-year-old North Plainfield woman who was injured and lying in the roadway, Parenti said. As Bryant exited his vehicle to investigate what he had struck, he was struck by another vehicle that swerved to avoid hitting the…
Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart
Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart Rutgers University graduate and attorney Christopher Canada of Plainfield died on Feb. 12, according to an obituary published by Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home. He was 55 years old. Friends created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his sons' continuing education.  The campaign says Chris, a Clark native, is survived by his wife of 20 years, Debbie, whom he met in middle school. "Chris first met his future wife Debbie in 6th grade and was quickly smitten, as he made known through a series of attention-getting pranks combined with chivalrous actions such as carrying her books home fr…
'It's Sweet': South Jersey's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs 'It's Sweet': South Jersey's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs
'It's Sweet': South Jersey's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is getting spoiled in his young NFL career. The Vineland native has won his second Super Bowl in just his second professional season. Pacheco had 59 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards in the Chiefs' thrilling 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11. After the game, Pacheco talked about the championship win with CBS Sports HQ with a Puerto Rican flag draped around his shoulders. "It sounds so sweet just now, two-time Super Bowl champion," said Pacheco. "It's sweet. Last year, I was unsatisfied. Th…
Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison
Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison A 22-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday, Jan. 12 after pleading guilty to leading police on a pursuit in Somerset County that damaged multiple police vehicles in October 2022, authorities said. At 3:51 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2022, Berkeley Heights Police responded to the parking lot at the Brook Hill Swim Club in Watchung for a report of vehicles driving recklessly and revving their engines at a high volume, Somerset District Attorney John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Watchung Borough Chief o…
Services Set For NJ Firefighter Marques Hudson Killed In Line of Duty Services Set For NJ Firefighter Marques Hudson Killed In Line of Duty
Services Set For NJ Firefighter Marques Hudson Killed In Line of Duty Marques Hudson, the Plainfield firefighter killed on Friday, Jan. 26 battling a house fire, will be laid to rest on Saturday, Feb. 3.  Services were announced by Buckland Funeral Home in Somerset for Hudson, the 32-year-old Piscataway resident and father of three. Viewings will be held on Friday, Feb 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Plainfield High School and Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the high school, according to his obituary.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. at the high school, his obituary reads. Hudson was pronounced dead after he…
Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America
Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America New Jersey foodies have some new places to add to their list, if they haven't dined there already. Four restaurants from the Garden State made Yelp's annual Top 100 US Restaurants 2024 list. Boomchia in Montclair ranked 21st on the list. The restaurant has a five star rating on Yelp serves up healthy bowls, offering ingredients like dark chocolate granola, blue coconut, bananas, cashew butter and gogi berries.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Colonna (@thetypicalfoodie) "Best Chia Acai bowl," wrote one Yelp reviewer. "…
'Execution-Style' Jersey Shore Killers Sentenced 'Execution-Style' Jersey Shore Killers Sentenced
'Execution-Style' Jersey Shore Killers Sentenced Two men were sentenced to prison time for their roles in what prosecutors called an "execution-style" double murder of a young man and woman in Neptune Township nearly two years ago. Gabriel Braithwaite, 21, of Keansburg was sentenced to 40 years in state prison on Friday, Jan. 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced. Braithewaite pleaded guilty in July 2023 to three charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. Jeron Dearin, 24, of Aberdeen was sentenced to five years in state prison. He also pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravat…
14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL 14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL
14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL An additional 14 New Jersey businesses have been barred from practicing for short-changing workers and other violations, bringing the total to 82, according to the state's Labor and Workforce Development Department. The businesses — which were named to the NJDOL’s Workplace Accountability in Labor List (the WALL) — owe a collective $956,000 in wages and penalties to the state and their employees. The 14 businesses added to the WALL are: A Z Construction of NJ Inc., Plainfield Brasero Chicken 3 LLC, Paterson Dar's Staffing LLC, Little Egg Harbor EC Abatement Inc., Newark Lane Mechanical He…
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Support is on the rise for a Somerset County family mourning the loss of a devoted dad after a 10-year battle with kidney disease. David Betancourt died surrounded by his beloved family at RJW Somerset on Monday, Nov. 6, his obituary says. He was 69. Born and raised in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, David lived in Plainfield, Somerville, and California before settling in North Plainfield in 2007. He was a member of the army in Guatemala before arriving in the United States in the 1980s, his memorial says. Described as a “man of all trades,” David loved soccer, especially watching the World Cu…
Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (UPDATE) Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (UPDATE)
Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (Update) A 66-year-old man died after being struck by a car in Bound Brook Monday, Nov. 20, police said. The Plainfield man was in cardiac arrest when responders arrived at the West Union Avenue crash scene in front of Burger King, around 6:10 p.m., Bound Brook Police Chief Richard S. Colombaroni said. Officers and paramedics initiated life-saving measures and the victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Officers and detectives from the Bound Brook Police Department and the Somerset…
Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Pat Pespas Found Safe After Missing For Month Across NJ, PA Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Pat Pespas Found Safe After Missing For Month Across NJ, PA
Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Pat Pespas Found Safe After Missing For Month Across NJ, PA Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been found safe. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, has been found safe and was home with his wife, Sue, directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough said on Pespas' Instagram account Friday, Oct. 27. Pespas had been missing since Sept. 29, when he was seen in Easton, PA, and later at a bar in the Pittsburg area. Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, NJ, has been living with his wife in Easton, PA.  He teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a …
Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors
Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors A Somerset County man accused of five counts of attempted homicide was arrested in Easton, Pennsylvania last week, according to authorities.  Cristobal Avila, 32, of Plainfield, is also charged with unlawful weapon possession related to an April 2021 incident in North Plainfield, said the Prosecutor's Office. He was arrested by Easton police on Saturday, Sept. 30 and will be returned to New Jersey pending extradition and prosecution of other charges in Pennsylvania, officials said.  Avila was Somerset County's fugitive of the month in September, they noted.  Details of his …
NJ's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing NJ's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing
NJ's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been missing for days, those who know him say. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, was last seen in the Easton, PA area around 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, according to directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a light on the truth about the telemarketing industry. It premiered in August. Bhala Lough said on Sunday, Oct. 1 Pespas may have been spotted at a bar in Pittsburgh. …
Pair Admit To Roles In Double-Fatal Shooting On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Pair Admit To Roles In Double-Fatal Shooting On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Pair Admit To Roles In Double-Fatal Shooting On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Two men charged in a double-shooting that left a man and a woman dead in Neptune Township have both admitted to their roles in the killings, authorities said. Gabriel J. Brathwaite, 20, of Keansburg pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and a related weapons offense, they said. Brathwaite admitted that he fatally shot 18-year-old Samore Edwards of Plainfield and 19-year-old Isaiah Williams of New Brunswick, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. Braithwaite’s codefendant, 24-year-old Jeron D. Dearin of the Cliffwood section of&nb…
NJ Dealer Charged Federally With Selling Mix Of Fentanyl, Heroin That Killed User: Authorities NJ Dealer Charged Federally With Selling Mix Of Fentanyl, Heroin That Killed User: Authorities
NJ Dealer Charged Federally With Selling Mix Of Fentanyl, Heroin That Killed User: Authorities A Somerset County man was seized by federal agents who charged him with selling a mix of fentanyl and heroin that killed a user in Plainfield. Officers responding to the victim’s home found two wax folds containing both drugs and bearing a unique stamp, which they linked to Thomas Kane Miller, 38, of Somerset, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Investigators learned that the victim and Miller had arranged to meet shortly before the October 2022 overdose, the U.S. attorney added. Miller had also been found 10 days earlier with several wax folds of the same drugs with the same stamp, Selli…
7 Hurt, 2 Critically, In Somerset County Intersection Crash: Police 7 Hurt, 2 Critically, In Somerset County Intersection Crash: Police
7 Hurt, 2 Critically, In Somerset County Intersection Crash: Police Seven people were hurt, two of them critically, in a major crash at a Somerset County intersection Sunday, June 11, police said. The two-car collision occurred at the intersection of Rt. 22 and Vosseller Avenue in Bridgewater just before 2:10 a.m. Jose Cruz Villanueva Izaguirre, 24, of Plainfield, was behind the wheel of a 2004 Honda Civic and collided with a Kia Sedona driven by Elhabib Alhoudh, a 56-year-old North Brunswick man, according to Bridgewater Police officers who found both vehicles disabled and heavily damaged in the intersection. Izaguirre, as well as his passengers — two ad…
Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More
Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More Three Colombian nationals remain in federal custody and a fourth has already been deported after the government said they stole jewelry, a Rolex, an antique rifle, furs and cash in a home burglary in Union County. The quartet also took a stamp collection, luxury bags and more after breaking into the Cranford home shortly before 5 p.m. last Nov. 30, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. They then loaded the valuables into a red Honda Accord that they'd driven there, an FBI complaint on file in U.S. District Court in Newark says. Sellinger, who put the total value of the loss at more than …