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Plainfield, NJ

Essex County Retailers Among 19 Busted Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says Essex County Retailers Among 19 Busted Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says
Essex County Retailers Among 19 Busted 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 Central Jersey Recreation Director Killed In I-287 Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy' Former Central Jersey Recreation Director Killed In I-287 Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy'
Former Central Jersey Recreation Director Killed In I-287 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 Gets 20+ For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Gets 20+ For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Gets 20+ For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor A 34-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to 23 years in state prison on Thursday, May 16, for fatally shooting a man in 2022, authorities said. At 4 p.m. on March 11, Plainfield police responded to Johnston Avenue and East 2nd Street and found Eric Williams, a 50-year-old Plainfield resident hit with multiple gunshot wounds, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Haneef Welch was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter, autho…
Plainfield Man Gets 40 Years For Strangling Girlfriend: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Gets 40 Years For Strangling Girlfriend: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Gets 40 Years For Strangling Girlfriend: Prosecutor A 24-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Wednesday, May 15, for strangling his 19-year-old girlfriend to death in 2020, authorities said. On July 6, 2020, Plainfield police conducted a welfare check and found the body of 19-year-old Brenda Montoya-Cruz, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said.  Bryan Gonzales-Martinez was convicted of first-degree murder last June, authorities said. He must serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, authorities said. 
Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life
Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life A lottery player in Union County is going to be reaping the benefits of his prize for the rest of his life. A CASH4LIFE ticket matched the five white balls in the Thursday, May 16 drawing, winning $1,000 a week for life. The ticket was sold at Quick Stop Convenience in Plainfield. 
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…
US Marshals Capture NJ Train Station Murder Suspect In PA, Prosecutor Says US Marshals Capture NJ Train Station Murder Suspect In PA, Prosecutor Says
US Marshals Capture NJ Train Station Murder Suspect In PA, Prosecutor Says A 44-year-old Plainfield man was arrested in Pennsylvania on Friday, May 10 and charged with a fatal stabbing at a train station in July 2023, authorities said. At 2 p.m. on July 6, 2023, police responded to the Plainfield train station and found Juquin Smith, 45, suffering from stab wounds, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said. Smith was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Aswad Spruiel was arrested in Northumberland County, PA., by US Marshals, authorities said. He is in custody in …
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. …
Four Kittens Abandoned At Plainfield Humane Society Four Kittens Abandoned At Plainfield Humane Society
Four Kittens Abandoned At Plainfield Humane Society The Plainfield Area Human Society are attempting to locate the person who abandoned four kittens on Wednesday, April 24 At 5:55 a.m., security footage showed the person abandoning the four gray and white kittens on the front porch of the Plainfield Area Humane Society. Staff brought the kittens in, described as "scared and cold", the Plainfield Area Humane Society said. The kittens were placed on a heating pad and fed breakfast, the Plainfield Area Humane Society said. Anyone with information on who the person is should contact Animal Control at 908-753-0300 or  contact@pahs.org
NJ Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors NJ Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors
NJ Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors A 30-year-old Union County woman is wanted by police in Ohio for unlawful sexual conduct with a teenage boy. Police in Kettering, near Dayton, began investigating after the 14-year-old came forward to reveal the sexual conduct, a felony, with Corrinne Kneipp, a Plainfield resident in February, the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office said.  The incident occurred while Kneipp was in Ohio visiting family, prosecutors said. Kneipp remains at large and a warrant has been issued for her arrest, prosecutors said. She is scheduled to be arraigned net week.
Motorcyclist Killed In Plainfield After Crashing Into Parked Car: Authorities Motorcyclist Killed In Plainfield After Crashing Into Parked Car: Authorities
Motorcyclist Killed In Plainfield After Crashing Into Parked Car: Authorities A motorcyclist was killed in Plainfield early Sunday, April 21 after his motorcycle crashed into a parked car, authorities said. At 5 a.m. Plainfield police responded to the 700 block of East 3rd St. on a report of a crash, Andrea Wright, a spokeswoman for the city said.  Upon arrival, police located a man who crashed his motorcycle into a parked car, Wright said. EMS responded and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, Wright said. The crash remains under investigation, Wright said. The man's name, age and residence has not been released.
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…
WINNER! Union County Lotto Player Nets Big $ In Fast Play WINNER! Union County Lotto Player Nets Big $ In Fast Play
Winner! Union County Lotto Player Nets Big $ In Fast Play Fast play led to some fast cash for a lottery player in Union County. Playing the Fast Play Progressive ticket, the lucky winner managed to turn a $5 ticket into $61,321 jackpot on Thursday, April 18. The prize money was 50 percent of the progressive jackpot. The winning ticket was sold at Leland Liquors and Deli in Plainfield.
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…
Emaciated Senior Cat Abandoned Outside Plainfield Shelter Emaciated Senior Cat Abandoned Outside Plainfield Shelter
Emaciated Senior Cat Abandoned Outside Plainfield Shelter An emaciated senior cat was abandoned on the front porch of the Plainfield Area Humane Society on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 7, the shelter said.  The black cat was left outside all night in the cold, "shivering and scared for his life," the shelter said on Facebook. The shelter posted video of the cat being left behind.  Once staff discovered him, he was warmed up with food and a heating pad and is currently sleeping peacefully, the shelter said. The shelter said it is working to find him a forever home. Anyone with information on his owner is asked to contact the …
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. "…
78 Years For Plainfield Pair Convicted In Shooting That Left 1 Paralyzed, 1 Dead: Prosecutor 78 Years For Plainfield Pair Convicted In Shooting That Left 1 Paralyzed, 1 Dead: Prosecutor
78 Years For Plainfield Pair Convicted In Shooting That Left 1 Paralyzed, 1 Dead: Prosecutor Two Plainfield men were sentenced to 78 years in state prison on Friday, Jan. 12 after being convicted of first degree murder for killing a woman and paralyzing another in a 2021 double shooting, authorities said. Jaahad Ingram, 23 and Zaire Wallace, 30, were sentenced in Union County Superior Court and must serve 85 percent of their sentence before being eligible for parole, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said. The pair were found guilty in October for the shooting, which killed Jennifer Vorn, a 24-year-old King of Prussia, PA residen…
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…
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors A 23-year-old Plainfield man was indicted by a grand jury for murder in the shooting death of a former college football player last August. Maurice Pierce shot Jameer Outsey, of Bridgewater, on North Broad Street and Magnolia Avenue in Elizabeth on Aug. 27, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Pierce was charged with murder in the first degree and multiple weapons offenses. Outsey, a three-year letterman at Fra…
Plainfield Homicide Unsolved Seven Years Later, Person Of Interest Sought: Authorities Plainfield Homicide Unsolved Seven Years Later, Person Of Interest Sought: Authorities
Plainfield Homicide Unsolved Seven Years Later, Person Of Interest Sought: Authorities It has been seven years since Shamar Coleman was fatally gunned down in Plainfield and police are still attempting to solve his murder. On Dec. 29, 2016, Plainfield police responded to Seafood Rama and found Coleman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said. Coleman was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Authorities are attempting to locate a person of interest who was at the scene of the time of the murder. The individual, who can be seen exiting and entering the passenger si…
Plainfield Building With Questionable Past Erupts In Flames Injuring 15, Displacing Many Plainfield Building With Questionable Past Erupts In Flames Injuring 15, Displacing Many
Plainfield Building With Questionable Past Erupts In Flames Injuring 15, Displacing Many A fire at a Plainfield apartment building with a history of safety troubles left 15 people injured and displaced at least seven families, officials said. The fire on at 515 West 7th Street broke out around 4:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, displacing 42 families — 35 of whom were allowed to return home later that day. According to abc7, the building is owned by the same landlord as its neighbor at 501 West 7th St., which was condemned in August, where inspectors found leaking and open pipes, and holes in walls and ceilings. An electrical problem or lithium-ion battery were believed to have ca…
Plainfield Pair Convicted In Drive-By Double Shooting: Prosecutors Plainfield Pair Convicted In Drive-By Double Shooting: Prosecutors
Plainfield Pair Convicted In Drive-By Double Shooting: Prosecutors Two Plainfield men were convicted on Tuesday, Oct. 31, of first degree murder for killing a woman and paralyzing another in a 2021 double shooting, authorities said. Jaahad Ingram, 23 and Zaire Wallace, 30, were found guilty for the shooting, which killed Jennifer Vorn, a 24-year-old Pennsylvania resident and left another victim permanently paralyzed, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said.  Ingram and Wallace followed the two victims before getting out of their black Buick SUV at Rock Avenue and West Front Street with handguns, firi…
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 …
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. …
Plainfield Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Plainfield Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors
Plainfield Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Maurice Pierce, 23-year-old Plainfield man was arrested on Monday, Sept. 25 and charged with murder in the shooting death of Jameer Outsey, a former college football player, back in August, authorities said. On Sunday, Aug. 12, Elizabeth police responded to North Broad Street and Magnolia Avenue and found Outsey, a Bridgewater resident, suffering from a gunshot wound, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Pierce …