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Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office

Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say A former Monmouth County gymnastics was indicted after being accused of sexually abusing three teenage gymnasts, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 56-year-old Sasha Raught of Manchester Township, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, Sept. 16. He was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and three counts of second-degree sexual assault in June 2023. Investigators said the first two teens were sexually assaulted when Raught coached at Shrewsbury Gymnastics in the early to mid-1990s. The third teen was abused in 2008 when R…
Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors
Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors A Toms River music teacher was accused of sharing child pornography online, authorities said. Christopher DeCesare, 31, of Matawan, was charged with second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse materials. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced his arrest in a news release on Friday, Sept. 13. Investigators said DeCesare was distributing child porn to other users through social media and received it on a personal email account. The investigation started in July after a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. DeCesare is …
Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road Sentenced: Prosecutors Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road Sentenced: Prosecutors
Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Jersey Shore Road Sentenced: Prosecutors A Forked River man will spend more than four decades in prison after he was convicted of strangling his wife to death and leaving her body on the side of a Monmouth County road, authorities said. Jeremy Cruz, 53, was sentenced to 50 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 13. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday, Apr. 24. Investigators said a driver saw 51-year-old Dawn Cruz with severe injuries on Colonial Avenue near the intersection with Asbury Avenue in Ocean Township …
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals A New Jersey fugitive wanted in a deadly train station shooting and a home invasion was arrested in northeastern Pennsylvania, authorities said. U.S. Marshals took 19-year-old Damian Bass into custody, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 6. Bass' last known address was in Fanwood. Bass was charged with first-degree murder and two weapons offenses. He was accused of shooting and killing 43-year-old James Hailey of Newark. Marshals from Brooklyn, NY, and Scranton captured Bass in Chestnuthill Township, PA, on Thursday, Sept. 5. "We s…
Woman Critically Injured, Man Arrested In Unprovoked Asbury Park Stabbing: Prosecutors Woman Critically Injured, Man Arrested In Unprovoked Asbury Park Stabbing: Prosecutors
Woman Critically Injured, Man Arrested In Unprovoked Asbury Park Stabbing: Prosecutors An Asbury Park man was accused of critically injuring a woman in an unprovoked stabbing on Labor Day, authorities said. Travis Cavanaugh, 39, was arrested in the case, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Asbury Park police responded to the 500 block of Asbury Avenue for a report of a stabbing on Monday, Sept. 2.  Officers found the woman suffering from several stab wounds and bystanders were giving her aid. The woman was rushed to a hospital and she was listed in critical condition. Investigators said …
Jersey Shore Salesman Used Client's Credit Card In $200K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Jersey Shore Salesman Used Client's Credit Card In $200K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Jersey Shore Salesman Used Client's Credit Card In $200K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say A Manasquan man was accused of using a former business client’s credit card to buy and resell items in a more than $200,000 scheme, authorities said. Adam Kleinwaks, 55, was charged with second-degree money laundering and theft by unlawful taking, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Kleinwaks is a sales representative for Standard Printing Company, according to its website. Investigators said Kleinwaks purchased more than $130,000 of items with a former client's credit card. He then removed labels from "recr…
Man Identified In Deadly Shooting At NJ Transit Station On Jersey Shore Man Identified In Deadly Shooting At NJ Transit Station On Jersey Shore
Man Identified In Deadly Shooting At NJ Transit Station On Jersey Shore Authorities have identified a Newark man who was shot and killed at the New Jersey Transit station in Long Branch. James Hailey, 43, was killed in the shooting, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said on Thursday, Aug. 29. Long Branch police responded to the train station's platform at around 7:39 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26. Officers found Hailey and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead at 8:34 p.m. The New Jersey Transit commuter rail station in Long Branch, NJ. Google Maps Investigators haven't said what led up to the shootin…
Man Killed In Shooting At Jersey Shore Train Station, Prosecutors Say Man Killed In Shooting At Jersey Shore Train Station, Prosecutors Say
Man Killed In Shooting At Jersey Shore Train Station, Prosecutors Say A man was shot and killed at the New Jersey Transit station in Long Branch, authorities said. Long Branch police responded to the train station's platform at around 7:39 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said. Officers found the unidentified man and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead at 8:34 p.m. Investigators haven't said what led up to the shooting. NJ Transit didn't report any delays at the station. Anyone with information about the shooting should call the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443, NJ Tra…
South Jersey Man Who Killed Ex-GF With Machete In Front Of 3-Year-Old Indicted: Prosecutors South Jersey Man Who Killed Ex-GF With Machete In Front Of 3-Year-Old Indicted: Prosecutors
South Jersey Man Who Killed Ex-GF With Machete In Front Of 3-Year-Old Indicted: Prosecutors A Wall Township man has been indicted after he was accused of killing his ex-girlfriend with a machete in front of one of her children, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 24-year-old Alex Williams for first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (machete), and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the indictment in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Williams was accused of killing 29-year-old Br…
NJ Man Chatting With Undercover Agent Posing As Teen Found With Child Porn, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Chatting With Undercover Agent Posing As Teen Found With Child Porn, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Chatting With Undercover Agent Posing As Teen Found With Child Porn, Prosecutor Says A 46-year-old man chatting with an undercover agent posing as a teen girl was found with child pornography during a search of his Jersey Shore home, authorities said. Between May and August 2024, Christian Kohl, 46, of Brick Township, chatted with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on the Kik messaging app, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Kohl, who identified as a 38-year-old man, sent multiple photos and videos of himself to the "girl," despite knowing that "she" was only 14 years old, on multiple occasions, Billhimer's office said. Kohl's case wa…
Driver Wanted After Pedestrian Killed In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run Crash Driver Wanted After Pedestrian Killed In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run Crash
Driver Wanted After Pedestrian Killed In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run Crash Police were looking for the driver who killed a pedestrian in Shrewsbury, authorities said. The 23-year-old Toms River man died in the hit-and-run crash on Monday, Aug. 5, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said on Friday, Aug. 16. Shrewsbury police responded to a report of an unresponsive person near the intersection of Shrewsbury and Sycamore avenues just after 2:45 a.m. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team was assisting in the investigation. This was the first of four deadly crashes in Monmouth County so …
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say A Monmouth County youth soccer coach accused of molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to others was given more charges, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 32-year-old Ryan Gunsauls of Union Beach on 30 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 14. He was previously arrested in the case in Hazlet on Friday, May 11.  Investigators said one boy told police earlier in May that Gunsauls had been sending him "sexually explicit materials" and asking for them on social media. Eight more victims bet…
NJ Teacher Sexually Assaulted HS Student, Told Him To Delete Nude Cellphone Pics: Affidavit NJ Teacher Sexually Assaulted HS Student, Told Him To Delete Nude Cellphone Pics: Affidavit
NJ Teacher Sexually Assaulted HS Student, Told Him To Delete Nude Cellphone Pics: Affidavit A former Wall High School teacher sexually assaulted an 18-year-old student several times and sent him nude pictures, according to arrest records. An affidavit obtained by Daily Voice said 36-year-old Julie Rizzitello of Brick Township had sexual contact with the student between April and June. She was arrested on Wednesday, July 3, and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree witness tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. The affidavit said a Wall Township Public Schools employee told police on Monday, July 1 a…
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors A former Wall Township High School teacher was facing more charges after she was accused of sexually assaulting a second student, authorities said. Julie Rizzitello, 36, of Brick Township, was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree witness tampering, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, July 17.  She was previously charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree witness tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Investigators said they found e…
Man, 36, Identified As Victim Of Deadly Double Shooting In Central Jersey Man, 36, Identified As Victim Of Deadly Double Shooting In Central Jersey
Man, 36, Identified As Victim Of Deadly Double Shooting In Central Jersey Authorities have identified a Red Bank man who was killed in a double shooting. Mikal Muhammad, 36, died in the shooting on Wednesday, July 10, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, July 15. Red Bank officers responded to the report of shots fired on the 100 block of River Street at around 3:13 a.m. Police found Muhammad and another man suffering from gunshot wounds. Muhammad was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other victim was treated at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and released. The investigation is "activ…
NJ State Trooper Tried To Pay Girl For Sex, Asked For Sexual Pictures: Prosecutors NJ State Trooper Tried To Pay Girl For Sex, Asked For Sexual Pictures: Prosecutors
NJ State Trooper Tried To Pay Girl For Sex, Asked For Sexual Pictures: Prosecutors A state trooper was accused of trying to pay for sex from someone he believed was a teen girl and asking for sexual pictures, authorities said. Shane Dempsey, 31, of Brick Township, was arrested in Ewing on Monday, July 1, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. Investigators said Dempsey contacted an undercover detective on the social media app Whisper earlier in 2024.  Prosecutors said Dempsey asked for "sexually explicit images" from the detective, who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. He also said he would pay money for a sex act fro…
Asbury Park Teen Sentenced For Deadly Rape, Torture Of Pet Cat: Prosecutors Asbury Park Teen Sentenced For Deadly Rape, Torture Of Pet Cat: Prosecutors
Asbury Park Teen Sentenced For Deadly Rape, Torture Of Pet Cat: Prosecutors An Asbury Park teen will spend several years in prison after admitting to raping, torturing, and killing his pet cat, authorities said. Bani Mezquititla, 19, was sentenced on Thursday, June 13 to five years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. He pleaded guilty to two third-degree animal cruelty charges in April. Investigators said Mezquititla seriously injured the cat named Ellie after performing "sexual acts" on it, then killed it after restraining and torturing it. "It is virtually impossible to conceive of an inst…
Jersey Shore City Cracking Down On 'Pop-Up' Parties, Adding Police Along Beaches Jersey Shore City Cracking Down On 'Pop-Up' Parties, Adding Police Along Beaches
Jersey Shore City Cracking Down On 'Pop-Up' Parties, Adding Police Along Beaches A city in Monmouth County said it's renewing an effort to crack down on unauthorized “pop-up” parties. The mayor and public safety director of Long Branch issued a joint statement on Tuesday, June 4 about a "significant police presence" over the upcoming weekend. The city said a "pop-up" event was advertised on social media that was scheduled for Saturday, June 8. Long Branch police and the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office have identified three promoters who organized the event. "The city will not tolerate these unsanctioned pop-up parties," said Mayor John Pallone. "Our polic…
Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man
Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Reality bit the ex-husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member Dina Manzo when he was convicted Tuesday of getting a mob soldier to throw her new beau a beating. Restaurateur Thomas Manzo, 59, who lives in the affluent Bergen County suburb of Franklin Lakes, rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors and took his chances with a jury. That didn’t go so good. Jurors in U.S. District Court in Newark convicted Manzo on June 4 of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, along with conspiracy and falsifying documents during a grand jury investigation. Althou…