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48°
Sunday, nov 24
Tag:
Witness Tampering
Police & Fire
Child Sex Assault Charges For NY Man Just Accused Of Kidnapping In Bergen County: Prosecutor
A 37-year-old Queens man already charged with kidnapping and sexual assault a victim in Englewood is facing new charges of sexually assaulting a child, authorities said. Miguel A. Chimbo-Orellana first kidnapped and sexually assaulted the adult victim in Englewood, in August 2024, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Chimbo-Orellana later kidnapped and sexually assaulted the victim multiple times in Englewood and Queens, NY on multiple occasions, and threatened to kill the victim, Musella said. On Monday, Oct. 21, Chimbo-Orellana was charged with kidnapping, sexual assault …
Politics
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…
Police & Fire
Cruel Man Who Hurled Dogs Over Fence Of NJ Animal Shelter Arrested, Police Say
The man seen hurling dogs over the fence of the Atlantic County Animal Shelter has been arrested, police said, Jahlil McNeal, 23, of Atlantic City, was identified by city police as the man captured in disturbing footage throwing dogs over the fence at the county animal shelter and leaving. McNeal has been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, failure to provide care to animals, two counts theft of services, and witness tampering. McNeal first abandoned an animal at the shelter after hours on July 15, police said. ACPD's Humane Law Enforcement Officer, Matthew Schmidt, initia…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
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…
News
Another Female NJ Teacher Charged With Having Sexual Relationship With Student
Yet another New Jersey teacher has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. Julie Rizzitello, 36, submitted her resignation letter as a Wall Township High School teacher earlier this week amid being criminal charges stemming from the sexual assault of a student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. The Brick Township resident has been charged with two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Witness Tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact, Santiago said Thursday, July 4 alongside Wall Township Police Chie…
News
Dover Man Gets 40 Years For Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend: Prosecutors
A 37-year-old Dover man was found sentenced to 40 years in prison on Friday, June 28 after being convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Sept. 2021, authorities said. On Sept. 5, 2021, Jesse Meneses sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend in his vehicle in Randolph, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Dover Chief of Police Jonathan Delaney, and Randolph Chief of Police Will Harzula said. Meneses confined her in the car, transporting her from Randolph through Victory Gardens and then to Dover, where she was able to esca…
Police & Fire
NJ Murder Suspect Caught Up In 'Criminal Justice Overhaul' Convicted In 2016 Christmas Killing
A 40-year-old Newark man whose case happened in the midst of an overhaul of New Jersey's criminal justice system has been convicted in 2016 Christmas morning killing, authorities said. Habeeb Robinson was convicted of aggravated manslaughter, weapons possession and witness tampering in the death of Hassan Cobb-Jones, a 32-year-old Newark resident, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said. Cobb-Jones was shot in a van on the 100 block of Parker Street, Stephens said. Robinson's case was more complicated, as it was happening at the turn of major changes under New Jersey's…
Police & Fire
Armed Robber Gets 50 Years For Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car
A 37-year-old Somerset man was sentenced to 50 years in state prison on Friday, April 12, after being convicted of planning an armed robbery in Dec. 2021 that resulted in the victim being robbed of $100,000 worth of jewelry and cell phones at gunpoint, authorities said. On Dec. 4, 2021, Melvin Banks was scheduled to return a Mercedes S580 to the owner of a luxury car rental service in Riverdale at 9 p.m. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Riverdale Police Chief Charles Quant Jr. said. At 9:31 p.m.…
Police & Fire
Armed Robber Convicted Of Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car In Morris County
A 37-year-old Somerset man was convicted on Friday, Feb. 9 of planning an armed robbery in December 2021 that resulted in the victim being robbed of $100,000 worth of jewelry and cell phones at gunpoint. On Dec. 4, 2021, Melvin Banks was scheduled to return a Mercedes S580 to the owner of a luxury car rental service in Riverdale at 9 p.m. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Riverdale Police Chief Charles Quant Jr. said. At 9:31 p.m., the owner was robbed at gunpoint by co-defendant …
Police & Fire
Dover Man Convicted Of Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend: Prosecutors
A 37-year-old Dover man was found guilty on Friday, Feb. 2 of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Sept. 2021, authorities said. On Sept. 5, 2021, Jessie Meneses sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend in his vehicle in Randolph, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert M. McNally, Dover Chief of Police Jonathan Delaney, and Randolph Chief of Police Will Harzula said. Meneses confined her in the car, transporting her from Randolph through Victory Gardens and then to Dover, where she was able to escape and report her to police. For seve…
Police & Fire
Fugitive Former Paramus Basketballer Turned Bail Reform Poster Boy Captured In Rockland
The increasingly violent criminal career of a former Paramus Catholic High School basketball player continued when he tried to carjack a woman in Park Ridge, then led police on a pursuit, authorities said. Police in the Rockland County town of Stony Point later captured Jordan Dufont, 23, after a foot chase, Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph Madden said on Thursday, Aug. 17. Dufont had only just been released on Aug. 3 after spending five weeks in the Bergen County Jail following another pursuit and a combative arrest off Route 17 in Paramus. Police in Park Ridge got a call this time shortly…
Police & Fire
Nj-b
red 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…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
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…
News
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…
News
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…
Police & Fire
North Jersey Man Who Sexually Assaulted, Robbed Woman, 33, Surrenders: Prosecutor
A North Jersey man accused of sexually assaulting and robbing a 33-year-old woman surrendered to authorities in Hudson County on Wednesday, authorities said. Michael Vivar, 23, of North Bergen, was arrested on charges of aggravated sexual assault, robbery, and witness tampering, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The woman told North Bergen police on Nov. 3, 2021, that she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man she had met earlier in the day, authorities said. He also apparently stole money from her wallet. Authorities discovered during the investigation that Vivar ha…
News
Passaic Prosecutor: Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness With Cash, Car, More
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…
Police & Fire
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…
News
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…
News
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…
News
Indictment: Son Of Paterson Man Charged With Child Sex Assault Made Victim Change Story
UPDATE: The son of a Paterson man accused of sexually abusing a child was indicted on witness tampering charges, authorities said. Ramon Cabrera, 41, made the victim retract sex abuse allegations against Juan Cabrera-Gonzalez in a video that he recorded, an indictment returned by a grand jury in Paterson alleges. Cabrera’s father was charged with several sex-related offenses in May 2019 after detectives from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office investigated a report by the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency that a child in his care was being sexually abused. The Special Vi…
News
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…
News
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…
News
Prosecutor: Son Of Paterson Man Charged With Child Sex Assault Made Victim Change Story
The son of a Paterson man accused of sexually abusing a child was arrested on witness tampering charges, authorities said. Ramon Cabrera, 41, made the victim retract sex abuse allegations against Juan Cabrera-Gonzalez in a video that he recorded, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said Wednesday. Cabrera’s father was charged with several sex-related offenses in May 2019 after detectives from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office investigated a report by the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency that a child in his care was being sexually abused, Valdes said. The Special…
News
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…
Police & Fire
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…
News
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…
News
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…
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