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Friday, nov 22
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Jersey City, NJ
News
Panera 'Charged Lemonade' Linked To Death Of UPenn Student From Jersey City Suit Settled
More than two years after a UPenn student from New Jersey died, her family has settled their wrongful death suit against Panera. Sarah Katz, of Jersey City, died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center on Sept. 10, 2022, according to her obituary. The 21-year-old's death came shortly after she drank "Charged Lemonade" at the Panera located at 200 South 40th Street, in Philadelphia, according to the lawsuit filed on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, by Kline & Specter, P.C. on behalf of Jill and Michael Katz. The lawsuit settled out of court and the case was dismissed on Monday, Oct. 7, acc…
Police & Fire
Cigarette Butt Leads To NJ Suspect's Arrest In 2012 PA Diner Killing: DA
The alleged gunman in a deadly 2012 Reading shooting is in police custody in New Jersey, according to Berks County prosecutors. Vallis L. Slaughter, of Jersey City, is being held in Hudson County pending his extradition to Pennsylvania, said the District Attorney's Office on Monday, March 25. Investigators believe he killed 34-year-old Julio A. Torres on March 24, 2012. Torres was shot while sitting in his car in the parking lot of the West Reading Diner after a confrontation with suspects, the DA's Office said. Jomaine Case was eventually convicted in connectio…
News
'Charged Lemonade' From Panera Led To Death Of UPenn Student From Jersey City: Lawsuit
More than a year after a UPenn student from New Jersey died, her family has filed a wrongful death suit against Panera. Sarah Katz, of Jersey City, died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center on Sept. 10, 2022, according to her obituary. The 21-year-old's death came shortly after she drank "Charged Lemonade" at the Panera located at 200 South 40th Street, in Philadelphia, according to the lawsuit filed on Monday, Oct. 23, by Kline & Specter, P.C. on behalf of Jill and Michael Katz. Sarah went into cardiac arrest at a table in the Panera surrounded by her friends shortly after drinking …
Police & Fire
NJ Politico Gets 24 Years, No Parole, For Hiring Hit Men Who Killed, Burned Longtime Associate
UPDATE: A New Jersey political consultant was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for hiring two hitmen to kill a longtime associate from Hudson County. Sean Caddle, 45, of Hamburg, will have to serve just about all of the plea-bargained sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Caddle, a former aide to former State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), admitted last year that he paid the killers to whack Michael Galdieri, the son of former State Sen. James Galdieri (D-Jersey City) and a prominent figure in local Hudson County politics. Galdieri, 52, who'd worked for…
News
Update
: Aging Career Criminal Gets 16 Years In Bizarre Murder-For-Hire Of NJ Politico
An aging Connecticut ex-con would have to turn 90 to taste freedom again after he was sentenced for stabbing a political consultant to death and then torching his Jersey City apartment in a murder-for-hire hit with a longtime crony from Philadelphia. The odds are stacked against George Bratsenis, 74, of Monroe, who reportedly has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. There's also no parole in the federal prison system. Unless he’s granted a compassionate release for health reasons, Bratsenis will have to serve just about all of the plea-bargained 16-year sentence approved by …
News
Boyfriend Of Newark Woman Missing Since 2017 Charged With Stealing Disabled Son's Benefits
The former live-in boyfriend of a Newark woman who's been missing more than five years accessed her personal information and within days began embezzling benefit payments meant for her disabled son, federal authorities charged. Asmar Earp, a 37-year-old ex-con with an extensive criminal record, first changed the pin code on the benefits debit card belonging to Venika Williams less than a week after she was reported missing in December 2017, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. A few months later, he used Williams's name, date of birth and Social Security number to receive …
News
Update
: Admitted Hit Man From Philly Gets 20 Years In Bizarre Murder-For-Hire Of NJ Politico
A currently incarcerated career criminal from Philadelphia was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for the contract killing of a veteran campaign consultant in New Jersey. Bomani Africa, 62, previously admitted accepting payment from former political operative Sean Caddle to whack former associate Michael Galdieri. Galdieri, the 52-year-old son of former State Sen. James Galdieri (D-Jersey City), was stabbed to death in his Jersey City apartment, which was then set on fire, in May 2014. The killing had publicly remained a cold case until January 2022, when Caddle pleaded guilty in U.S…
News
Prominent NJ Attorney Stole $2M From Family's Offshore Bank Account, Feds Charge
A prominent attorney from Jersey City went to great lengths to swindle $2 million from a family he represented, federal authorities charged. The family had retained James R. Lisa, 67, to gather millions that had been moved into offshore bank accounts by relatives decades ago and to resolve any tax issues that arose as a result, they said. Soon after being retained, he moved more than $6 million back into the United States but told the family the funds still remained offshore, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Lisa kept them waiting for two years before giving them $4 million while cl…
News
Street
Justice
: NJ Vigilante Posing As Child Lures Sexual Predators Into Livestreamed Arrests
For nearly a year now a vigilante has been prowling the streets of North Jersey targeting child predators. All are drawn to public meeting places by what appears to be an underage boy or girl. They're in for a surprise, though: It's actually a Hudson County native who calls himself XK. "I'm not here to hurt you," XK tells those who show up, recording every second of the encounter on his GoPro. "I just want to have a civilized conversation with you." Ten minutes or so in, XK asks the target if he likes ice pops. "I like firecracker ice pops. That's my favorite," he tells them. That's th…
News
Foreigner Charged In $100M Ransomware Assault That Victimized Innocent Computer Users
A Russian and Canadian national who participated in a campaign that extorted tens of millions of dollars from Internet users will be brought to New Jersey to face federal charges, authorities announced. Mikhail Vasiliev, 33, of Bradford, Ontario, was among a group that began attacking more than 1,000 computer users in the U.S. and throughout the world as early as January 2020, federal officials said on Thursday, Nov. 10. Vasiliev and his fellow LockBit members demanded at least $100 million in ransom demands after locking up the victims' devices, they said. Vasiliev was arrested on Wednesd…
News
Law Enforcement 'Supergroups' In NJ Unite To Fight Organized Violent Criminals
A collection of crime-fighting 'supergroups' nailed 42 defendants in a series of pinpointed attacks on organized gangs dealing drugs, packing weapons and waging street warfare in North Jersey, authorities announced. The Violent Crime Initiative, as it's called, targeted what had been thriving criminal organizations in Newark, Paterson and elsewhere, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Shooting incidents statewide and in cities where the VCIs operate are “appreciably lower” than the year-to-date total from last year, including a 23% reduction statewide, a 30% reduction in …
Schools
Native NJ Dad Of 3 Charged For Yelling Profanities At School Children In Pennsylvania: Police
A 43-year-old father of three yelled profanities at school children, authorities say. Nolan Bronner, currently living in Columbia Borough, but originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, yelled at the school children in a crosswalk on Oct. 17 at approximately 8:46pm, according to the release and his social media. An Officer with the Columbia Borough Police department heard Bronner yelling the profanities, the release details. "The Officer approached the male, known to him as Nolan J. Bronner...and told him he would be receiving a citation in the mail for disorderly conduct due to scaring near…
Police & Fire
NJ Woman Was Wanted By Police — So She Applied To Work For Them: Report
A fugitive who applied for a job with the Hudson County Sheriff's Office thought she was going in for an interview. Instead, she was placed under arrest, authoritie said. Zyeama Y. Johnson, 27, had a bench warrant out of Monroe County, PA, along with 10 more bench warrants for failure to appear in court on traffic violations in Jersey City, Hudson County Sheriff Francis X. “Frank” Schillari said. Finding her didn't seem to be too difficult. After confirming the validity of her warrants, Johnson was called in for a "job interview" by authorities in Hudson County — and then promptly arre…
News
Gotcha
! Gunman Who Carjacked Couple Captured Thanks To Police Drone: NJ Authorities
A gunman who carjacked a couple waiting to pick up food outside an Elizabeth restaurant was captured by police thanks to a Newark police drone that followed their Mercedes to Jersey City, authorities said. Rahmel Belle, 22, of Jersey City, and another man were both wearing masks when they got out of a car behind the couple on Morris Avenue around 7:30 p.m. this past April 23, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Pointing a grey handgun with a laser at them, Belle ordered the victims out of the Mercedes and took their keys, cellphones and other valuables – as well as $…
News
Released
: NJ Rapper, Associate Plead Guilty In Passaic Shooting, Freed Pending Sentencings
A former Jersey City rapper who beat a murder rap in 2014 walked out of jail after cutting a deal with prosecutors for his role in a shooting in Passaic two years ago. He could be headed back to the joint for another 18 months, however. Video captured a celebratory welcoming committee greeting Albert Robinson outside the Passaic County Jail in Paterson after he and co-defendant Darnell Reeves were released. Robinson – known as “Albee Al The Gladiator” – and Reeves had been held since September 2019 following their arrests on attempted murder charges, among other offenses, in a non-fatal …
News
11-Year-Old Among Hundreds Of Nationwide Sexploitation Victims Rescued By FBI, Local Agencies
FBI agents based in New Jersey teamed up with local, county and state authorities to rescue five sexually exploited teenagers who were among hundreds of victims located or identified during a two-week nationwide blitz. The New Jersey joint FBI operation with State Police, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and police from Newark, Jersey City and Morris Township was part of a nationwide enforcement campaign dubbed “Operation Cross Country.” Across the United States, similar operations the first two weeks in August identified and located a total of 84 minor victims of child sex traffickin…
News
Gang Leader Gets 22 Years Without Parole For Smuggling Heroin, Fentanyl Into NJ Prison
A Hudson County gang leader must spend the next 22 years in a federal penitentiary for trafficking heroin and fentanyl into a New Jersey state prison. Noel "Kuko" Salgado, 41, was serving time when he had associates on the outside sneak the drugs into Bayside State Prison in Leesburg (Cumberland County), federal authorities said. One inmate who used the smuggled drugs suffered an overdose and was revived with Narcan after remaining senseless for nearly 20 minutes before having to be hospitalized, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Salgado -- who headed the "Loyal Hoody Gang," a l…
Obituaries
Lehigh Valley Forklift Driver, Beloved Father Of 5 Dies Suddenly At 34
Lehigh Valley forklift driver and beloved father of five John W. DeWitt died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 5. He was 34. Born in Jersey City, John graduated from Freedom High School before becoming employed as a forklift operator for QVC, his obituary says. John lived in Bethlehem at the time of his death and was known for his one-of-a-kind sense of humor and compassion. Above all, John was remembered for the unlimited love he had for his five children, Jacier DeWitt, Jayceon DeWitt, Nasir DeWitt, Nala DeWitt, and Nasin Ferrer. Meanwhile, nearly $2,000 had been raised on GoFundMe for Joh…
News
SWAT
Raid
: Bergen Auto Detailer Charged With 20 Guns, 15 Rifles, Grenade Launcher — All Stolen
A Moonachie auto detailer wanted by federal authorities was caught with 20 stolen handguns, 15 stolen rifles, a stolen grenade launcher – and sports memorabilia that wasn't his, either, authorities said. Abdel W. Shileh, a 35-year-old Palestinian national, faces a staggering 81 counts involving the possession of stolen weapons, armed burglary and other offenses, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Detectives from Musella's Narcotics Task Force watched late last week as Shileh met with a pair of gun buyers -- Michael Hayes, 31, of Jersey City and Turron Ward, 43, of Irvington – at h…
News
Career Criminal From Connecticut, 73, Admits Committing Murder-For-Hire Of Jersey City Politico
A hardened ex-con from Connecticut admitted that he and a longtime criminal pal from Philadelphia stabbed a political consultant to death and then torched his Jersey City apartment in a murder-for-hire attack. George Bratsenis, 73, of Monroe, CT said he and his partner were paid to whack Michael Galdieri, the son of former State Sen. James Galdieri (D-Jersey City) and a prominent figure in local Hudson County politics. Bratsenis and the other killer, Bomani Africa, 61, were hired by onetime political operative Sean Caddle, who’d been an aide to former State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) a…
News
PA Creeper Busted With OnlyFans User's Panties On Roof Of Her New England Home: Authorities
A Pennsylvania man tracked down a woman he met on OnlyFans and drove six hours to her New Hampshire home, where he was busted on the roof of her home with her underwear, authorities said. Mauricio Damian-Guerrero, 20, of Bensalem, Bucks County — whose Facebook page shows he previously lived in Jersey City, NJ — drove 400 miles to an Airbnb in Portsmouth before breaking into the victim's home on Wednesday, Feb. 9, Somersworth police said. Damian-Guerrero hid in the woman's attic, took pictures of her while she was sleeping and then tried tagging her with a tracking device, WCAZ and Phil…
News
Nj-b
ased Crypto Firm Will Pay SEC, States Unprecedented $100M Penalty
A Jersey City-based cryptocurrency company will pay a record $100 million to settle alleged violations of investor-protection laws, state and federal authorities jointly announced. BlockFi Lending LLC neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing when it agreed to the highest fine ever by a cryptocurrency company, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said on Monday, Feb. 14. However, it did take a different course than many of its crypto rivals by not fighting the fine. Of the total, $50 million will be paid to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and up to $50 millio…
News
Feds: Hit Man From Philly Admits Committing Murder-For-Hire For NJ Political Operative
A Philadelphia resident admitted Wednesday that he was one of the two hit men paid by a onetime New Jersey political operative to kill a former associate. Bomani Africa, 61, who has a criminal history that includes convictions for robbery and drug-related crime, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder for hire via videoconference with a federal judge in Newark, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger announced. People immediately began wondering who the hired killers were after Sean Caddle, 44, admitted on Tuesday that he paid them to whack Michael Galdieri, the son of forme…
News
Murder
FOR
Hire
: NJ Political Operative Admits Paying Hit Men To Kill Longtime Associate
A New Jersey-based political consultant admitted Tuesday that he hired two hitmen to kill a longtime associate from Hudson County who had worked for him on various election campaigns, federal authorities said. Sean Caddle, 44, a former aide to former State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) paid the killers -- one from Connecticut, the other from Pennsylvania -- to get rid of Michael Galdieri, the son of former State Sen. James Galdieri (D-Jersey City) and a prominent figure in local Hudson County politics. Galdieri, 52, was stabbed to death in May 2014 before his Jersey City apartmen…
News
Jersey City Five Charged With Murder Of Rival Gang Member, Innocent Girl, 17
Five reputed members of a Jersey City street gang were charged federally with murder in the shooting deaths the same week of a rival and a 17-year-old female bystander. Shaquan "Nut" Rush and Darby "GoHard" Shirden, both 21, and Jeremy "Smoov" Perez, 23, opened fire on a group of people outside the Salem Lafayette Apartments on April 1, 2020 in retaliation for the killing the day before of a high-ranking member of their Rutgers Avenue gang, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Two people were wounded, one of them an 18-year-old associate of the Salem Lafayette gang who survived the shoo…
News
Repetitive Pedophile Priest Formerly Of Jersey City Church Dies
A twice-convicted pedophile priest who'd been an associate pastor at a Jersey City church reportedly has died. The death of the Rev. Carmen Sita -- who changed his name to Gerald Howard after getting probation for his first conviction -- was announced by SNAP, a survivors network that provides support for sex abuse victims. Sita had been at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church on West Side Avenue for six years when he was arrested in 1982 on charges of repeatedly sexually abusing a 17-year-old boy and giving him pot. After pleading guilty the following year, Sita was sentenced to five months…
News
Pagans Shoot At Hells Angel On NJ Turnpike After Baseball Bat Bar Brawl, Feds Charge
Two high-ranking members of the Pagans who were beaten with baseball bats in a barroom brawl sought revenge by shooting at one of the Hells Angels on the New Jersey Turnpike, federal authorities charged. Larry "Savage" Ortiz, 31, of Elizabeth, and Junius "Jayo" Aquino, aka 38, of Vauxhall, were in a Verona bar when they were attacked on Oct. 21, 2020, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. A week later, the pair shot at an associate of the rival biker gang "in retaliation for the Verona assault," an indictment returned by a grand jury in Newark charges. The indictment retur…
News
DUI NJ Woman Crashes, Bites Police In PA: Authorities
A New Jersey woman has been arrested and charged after a bizarre incident in Pennsylvania, according to local police. Lateefah Habeebullah Ross, 44, of Jersey City, was spotted operating a black Nissan Sentra in an "erratic manner" in the 1600 block of Fruitville Pike in Manheim Township on Dec. 3, according to police. Numerous other motorists reported this to 9-1-1, according to a police release. Ross continued down the road way causing a two-car crash before police arrived at the scene. Ross was the sole occupant of her vehicle, and exhibited signs of drug impairment, according the t…
News
NJ Correctional Officer Charged With Raping Female Inmate
A correctional officer from Jersey City was arrested Wednesday and charged with raping an inmate at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. Tyrell Harris-McLaughlin, 28, was charged with sexual assault and official misconduct in connection with the Sept. 16 incident at the troubled Union Township state prison, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said in a joint release. The charges were filed during an investigation by Bruck’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Off…
News
FBI: Jersey City Stockbroker Scams Investors Out Of $600,000 With Bogus Ticket-Reselling Biz
FBI agents busted a now-former stockbroker from Jersey City who they said ran a side hustle that scammed victims out of more than $600,000 through a fictional ticket-reselling business. Michael J. Clarke, 62, lost his job once it came to light that his promises of getting discounted tickets that he could later sell at premium rates for concerts and sporting events -- as well as seat licenses to the U.S. Open -- were lies, authorities said. Clarke, who was a licensed municipal securities trader, promised victims who fronted him the money for the purported ticket brokerage that they'd get a …
News
Predators, Pedophiles And Perverts: Horror Stories Abound In NJ Online Child-Sex Abuse Roundup
A mail carrier, a train conductor and a retired corrections officer are among 31 men charged amid a massive roundup that produced some horrifying stories about online child sex abuse in the age of COVID, New Jersey authorities announced Wednesday. One of them offered money and other prizes through a social media “game” that he created to convince underage girls to send him nude photos, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. Another got victims between 7 and 15 years old to send him sexual photos, then pressured them to send more by threatening to share those he had online, he said. …
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