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Union County Superior Court

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…
NJ Amazon Driver's Killer Gets 25 Years Behind Bars: Prosecutor NJ Amazon Driver's Killer Gets 25 Years Behind Bars: Prosecutor
NJ Amazon Driver's Killer Gets 25 Years Behind Bars: Prosecutor A 28-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the fatal shooting of an Amazon driver in 2021. Quahif Lane's sentence for aggravated manslaughter was handed down on Friday, May 26, by Union County Superior Court Judge Stacy Boretz, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. In September 2021, Plainfield Police responded to the 200 block of Garfield Ave and found Jamar Harris, a 36-year-old Newark resident, suffering from a gunshot wound, Daniel said. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene, Daniel said. 
Three Elizabeth Men Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Three Elizabeth Men Sentenced For Fatal Shooting
Three Elizabeth Men Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Three men, including a 17-year-old, were sentenced to several years in prison for their roles in the fatal shooting of a 30-year-old Elizabeth man in 2021, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. In June 2021, police responded to a shots fired call and found Eliezer Martinez and another man suffering from serious injuries. Martinez was transported to a nearby hospital where he was soon pronounced dead while the second victim was taken to University Hospital in Newark and released.  Isaiah Turner, 17, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for aggravated manslaughter. Nasir Semm…
North Jersey Chiropractor Sexually Assaults Patient: Prosecutor North Jersey Chiropractor Sexually Assaults Patient: Prosecutor
North Jersey Chiropractor Sexually Assaults Patient: Prosecutor A Fanwood chiropractor is facing prison time for sexually assaulting a patient, authorities said. Grant Babbitt, 70, is charged with fourth degree criminal sexual contact on a 30-year-old female patient that occurred in his office on Martine Avenue, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel announced Thursday, April 27, Daniel said. Babbitt was charged on Tuesday, April 25 and was released pending his next court appearance in Union County Superior Court on May 25, Daniel said. Anyone with further information about Babbitt is being urged to contact Fanwood Police Detective Sergeant Philli…
Newark Airport Sexual Assault: Man Attacked Woman In Garage Near Brand New Terminal, Police Say Newark Airport Sexual Assault: Man Attacked Woman In Garage Near Brand New Terminal, Police Say
Newark Airport Sexual Assault: Man Attacked Woman In Garage Near Brand New Terminal, Police Say A 40-year-old West New York man has been charged after authorities say he sexually assaulted a woman walking to her car in a parking garage near Newark Airport's brand new terminal. Thomassal Watkins attacked the woman in the Conrac Parking Garage at Newark Airport's brand new Terminal A around 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who is prosecuting the case. Watkins was quickly apprehend on the property and subsequently charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated as…
NJ Teacher Used Olympian As Role Model For Students Before She Ruined Her Life, Lawsuit Says NJ Teacher Used Olympian As Role Model For Students Before She Ruined Her Life, Lawsuit Says
NJ Teacher Used Olympian As Role Model For Students Before She Ruined Her Life, Lawsuit Says The person who Tamar Herman says is responsible for ruining her life was someone she knew, she says. Someone who she exercised with, had exchanged phone numbers with and become Facebook friends with. So, why Ibtihaj Muhammad failed to reach out to Herman before publishing the social media post that upended her 30-year teaching career and forced her out of the community she's been apart of for decades, is beyond her, according to Herman's attorney, Erik Dykema, with The Lawfare Project. According to a lawsuit filed against Muhammad, an Olympic fencer and non-profit Muslim group Ca…
Jersey City Killer Learns His Fate For Elizabeth Murder Jersey City Killer Learns His Fate For Elizabeth Murder
Jersey City Killer Learns His Fate For Elizabeth Murder A 28-year-old Jersey City man has received his punishment for the 2019 killing of an Elizabeth man. Anthony Reciofigueroa was sentenced on Thursday, Oct. 6 to 55 years in New Jersey state prison for the shooting death of Carlos Rodriguez, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel said. Reciofigueroa in June was found guilty of murder and unlawful weapon possession after a three-week trial before Union County Superior Court Judge John Deitch.  Reciofigueroa's sentence requires him to serve at least 85% of the 55-year term on the murder charge before the possibility of pa…
Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery
Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery A 54-year-old man was sentenced to time in New Jersey State Prison for using a fake gun to rob his former employer, McDonald's during what he said was a "practical joke" while out on bail for another robbery, authorities announced. During a Friday hearing, Union County Superior Court Judge Robert A. Kirsch ruled that Plainfield's Thomas H. Outland must serve a minimum of 85% of the sentence before the possibility of parole, under the provisions of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.  Outland and an unidentified co-conspirator both wearing ski masks and holding guns entered the Route 22 …
Man Found Guilty In Throat Slashing Outside Union County Bar Man Found Guilty In Throat Slashing Outside Union County Bar
Man Found Guilty In Throat Slashing Outside Union County Bar A 45-year-old man has been found guilty of slashing a victim's throat outside of a Union County bar last year, authorities announced. A Union County jury deliberated for nearly three hours before returning a guilty verdict against, Michael G. Johnston, 45, of Winfield Park, last week, nearly a year after the Rahway incident, Union County First Assistant Prosecutor James O. Tansey announced. Johnston and the 25-year-old victim were at Butch Kowal’s Tavern in Rahway, when they began arguing around 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 30, 2021, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Cap…
North Jersey Man Found Guilty In Teen's Murder North Jersey Man Found Guilty In Teen's Murder
North Jersey Man Found Guilty In Teen's Murder A 27-year-old North Jersey man is facing life in state prison for the shooting death of a teenager, authorities said. Anthony Reciofigueroa, of Jersey City, was found guilty Thursday, June 9 of first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes after a three-week trial, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel said in a joint release. Reciofigueroa was accused of shooting 19-year-old Carlos Rodriguez, who was discovered by officers on the sidewalk of East Jersey Street in Elizabeth just after 7 p…
Ex-BF Gets Plea-Bargained 30 Years For Killing NJ Mom, Abducting Son Ex-BF Gets Plea-Bargained 30 Years For Killing NJ Mom, Abducting Son
Ex-BF Gets Plea-Bargained 30 Years For Killing NJ Mom, Abducting Son UPDATE: A New Jersey man who admitted killing his former girlfriend, kidnapping their young son and fleeing to Tennessee last summer was sentenced to a plea-bargained 30 years in state prison, authorities said. Tyler Rios, 28, must serve 25½ years before he’ll be eligible for parole under the deal brokered with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office for killing 24-year-old Yasemin Uyar, taking his son with him as he drove her body to Tennessee in the trunk of her car and dumping the corpse in a field there on July 8, 2021. That means he’d still be in his early 50s when he’s eventually releas…
Former Plainfield Police Sergeant Found Guilty Of Stealing $1,100 From City Via Her Job Former Plainfield Police Sergeant Found Guilty Of Stealing $1,100 From City Via Her Job
Former Plainfield Police Sergeant Found Guilty Of Stealing $1,100 From City Via Her Job A Union County jury has returned guilty verdicts on several charges filed against a former Plainfield police sergeant accused of exploiting her position to steal nearly $1,100 from the city by falsifying work records, authorities said. Leslie Knight, 51, was found guilty Tuesday on several counts of both third and fourth-degree theft by deception and one charge of falsifying records, a fourth-degree crime, following a two-week trial before Union County Superior Court Judge Robert Kirsch and five hours of jury deliberation.  The jury found Knight, who was hired in 2001, not guilty on on…
Hillside Man Struck Gas Attendant With Crowbar In Violent Robbery, Police Say Hillside Man Struck Gas Attendant With Crowbar In Violent Robbery, Police Say
Hillside Man Struck Gas Attendant With Crowbar In Violent Robbery, Police Say A Hillside man was arrested for striking a gas attendant with a crowbar during a robbery last month, authorities said. The worker was inside a booth at the Express Fuel on Route 22 west on Aug. 2 when 38-year-old Quadiir Canty opened the door and struck him on the head with a crowbar, Hillside police detective Natalie Ogonowski said. Canty then took money from the attendant’s pants pocket and fled the scene. The worker was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. An investigation identified Canty as a suspect and he was apprehended on Aug. 29 in Hillside,…
NJ Homeowner Refusing To Remove Profanity-Laced Anti-Biden Signs Backed By ACLU NJ Homeowner Refusing To Remove Profanity-Laced Anti-Biden Signs Backed By ACLU
NJ Homeowner Refusing To Remove Profanity-Laced Anti-Biden Signs Backed By ACLU A New Jersey homeowner who is refusing to remove profanity-laced anti-Biden signs is being backed by the state's American Civil Liberties Union chapter, local officials confirmed. Andrea Dick was warned by Roselle Park code enforcement officers in June that if she didn't remove her signs in a timely manner, she'd face up to $500 in fines. Now, the Willow Avenue resident and her mom, Patricia Dilascio, are trying to appeal the fines in Union County Superior Court, with help from ACLU attorney Alexander Shalom, NJ Advance Media reports. Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello emphasized …
Abducted NJ Toddler Found In Tennessee, Dad In Custody, Mom Remains Missing Abducted NJ Toddler Found In Tennessee, Dad In Custody, Mom Remains Missing
Abducted NJ Toddler Found In Tennessee, Dad In Custody, Mom Remains Missing A 2-year-old boy abducted by his dad was found unharmed in Tennessee while his mom remained missing as of Saturday morning, authorities in Union County said. Tyler Rios, 27, of Highland Park was arrested without incident, Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Rahway Police Department Director Jonathan Parham said. Yasmine Uyar of Rahway, had yet to be found, they said. Rios was convicted of aggravated assault on a domestic violence victim and was placed on conditional probation out of Middlesex County just last year, court records show. A multi-agency investigation was la…
Summit Man Found Guilty In Knifepoint Gas Station Robbery Summit Man Found Guilty In Knifepoint Gas Station Robbery
Summit Man Found Guilty In Knifepoint Gas Station Robbery A Union County jury on Tuesday returned a guilty verdict against a Summit man charged with armed robbery after threatening a gas station attendant at knifepoint in 2018. The jury deliberated for less than a day before convicting 47-year-old Patrick Vermilyea of first-degree armed robbery, third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree theft of movable property, acting Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Summit Police Chief Andrew Bartolotti said. The verdict came after three days of trial testimony before Union County Superior Court Judge Lisa Miralles W…
Retired Union County Middle School Theater Director Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Retired Union County Middle School Theater Director Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student
Retired Union County Middle School Theater Director Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student A retired Union County middle school teacher and theater director was charged with sexually assaulting a student while on school grounds several years ago. Ronald Wells, 69, asked the alleged victim to join him after school to model costumes for a school play and, between costume changes, began touching the student in a sexual manner, according to Special Victims Unit Supervisor and Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who is prosecuting the case. The incident occurred in a third-floor room of the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School in 2016, Lawlor said. Wells, a Summit resident,…
Prosecutor: NJ Murder Suspect Who Charred Victim Captured At US-Mexico Border Prosecutor: NJ Murder Suspect Who Charred Victim Captured At US-Mexico Border
Prosecutor: NJ Murder Suspect Who Charred Victim Captured At Us-mexico Border A Union County man wanted for murder after burning a victim's body beyond recognition last year was captured in Texas at the border of U.S. and Mexico, authorities announced Tuesday. Plainfield's Oscar E. Rodriguez, 24, is facing charges of first-degree murder and second-degree desecration of human remains in connection with the death of David Chacon, 42, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said. Police responding to reports of human remains found Chacon's charred body at an outdoor area near the 800 block of West Front Street, said Union County Assistant Prosecutor Peter Benza, …
Prosecutor: Union Man, 33, Nabbed Moments After Trying To Abduct Female Pedestrian, 19 Prosecutor: Union Man, 33, Nabbed Moments After Trying To Abduct Female Pedestrian, 19
Prosecutor: Union Man, 33, Nabbed Moments After Trying To Abduct Female Pedestrian, 19 A 33-year-old Union Township man was in custody after trying to kidnap a 19-year-old female pedestrian over the weekend in Summit, authorities said. The woman was walking on Fernwood Road near Whittredge Road and she was approached by an individual -- later identified as Shervon James -- driving a white four-door sedan around 4 p.m. Saturday, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Summit Police Chief Andrew Bartolotti said. “An immediate and thorough response by police officers and detectives ensured the swift apprehension of the suspect,” Bartolotti said.  “E…
Prosecutor: Drunken Driver, 25, Was Going 70 MPH, Ran 2 Lights In Deadly NJ Wreck Prosecutor: Drunken Driver, 25, Was Going 70 MPH, Ran 2 Lights In Deadly NJ Wreck
Prosecutor: Drunken Driver, 25, Was Going 70 MPH, Ran 2 Lights In Deadly NJ Wreck A 25-year-old Union County man had been drinking when he sped through a pair of red lights at more than 70 miles an hour, killing a 39-year-old Central Jersey man last year, authorities said. Mike A. Ramos, 25, of Plainfield was charged with a single count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter in connection with the May 5, 2020 crash, Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Plainfield Police Director Lisa Burgess jointly announced Wednesday. Ramos had consumed alcohol, ran two red lights and was traveling at speeds of more than 70 miles per hour in a 25 mile an hour zone when …
NJ Software Engineer Busted With 10,000 Photos Of Child Sex Abuse, Authorities Say NJ Software Engineer Busted With 10,000 Photos Of Child Sex Abuse, Authorities Say
NJ Software Engineer Busted With 10,000 Photos Of Child Sex Abuse, Authorities Say A New Jersey man was arrested after more than 10,000 photos depicting child sex abuse were discovered on his computer, authorities said Monday. Joseph Poutre, 55, of Middletown, was charged with a single count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. Ruotolo's office began investigating following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Spearheaded by Det. Craig Famoso, the investigation led to an IP address being used by Poutre, who at the time lived on the 2000 block of Princeton Avenue in Fa…
Prosecutor Details How Driver Caused Deadly Parkway Crash Then Tried To Cover It Up Prosecutor Details How Driver Caused Deadly Parkway Crash Then Tried To Cover It Up
Prosecutor Details How Driver Caused Deadly Parkway Crash Then Tried To Cover It Up A 43-year-old Newark man has been charged with causing a deadly crash earlier this week on the Garden State Parkway then trying to cover up his role in it, authorities said. Ronaldo Godwin was heading southbound behind the wheel of a Range Rover when he struck a Lexus SUV driven by Christopher Meikle, of East Orange, at a high rate of speed around 2:45 a.m. Feb. 15,  members of the Union County Prosecutors Office said. Responding New Jersey State troopers found 46-year-old Meikle's SUV engulfed in flames near the highway's center median shortly before 2:45 a.m. near mile marker 136 in …
NJ Man, 19, Charged With Animal Cruelty After Starving Pets To Death, Prosecutor Says NJ Man, 19, Charged With Animal Cruelty After Starving Pets To Death, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man, 19, Charged With Animal Cruelty After Starving Pets To Death, Prosecutor Says A 19-year-old Union County man is facing criminal charges of animal cruelty after severely neglecting three pets, two of who died, authorities said. Plainfield police were called to Rock Avenue on reports of a suspicious item dumped on the side of the road, where they found the body of a severely emaciated pit bull inside of a plastic bag on Nov. 3, Union County Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Cronin said. A subsequent investigation found that Aiden R. Turso, 19, had three pets that had suffered severe neglect, Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. Those pets includ…
Elizabeth Man Charged With Murder In Brutal Apartment Beating Death Of Woman, 22 Elizabeth Man Charged With Murder In Brutal Apartment Beating Death Of Woman, 22
Elizabeth Man Charged With Murder In Brutal Apartment Beating Death Of Woman, 22 A 21-year-old man was jailed this week on accusations he beat a 22-year-old woman to death in his Downtown Elizabeth apartment building last month, authorities said. Andrew Burr, 21, is charged with first-degree murder and two related weapons offenses in connection in the early January death of Shaquin Ingram, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Elizabeth Police Department Chief Giacomo Sacca and Director Earl Graves announced Friday. Police responding to an apartment on the 10 block of Jacques Street to perform a welfare check around 1 a.m., on Jan 5. found Ingram wi…
Authorities: Elderly NJ Woman Lived In Squalor As Aide, Daughters Spent $280K Of Her Money Authorities: Elderly NJ Woman Lived In Squalor As Aide, Daughters Spent $280K Of Her Money
Authorities: Elderly NJ Woman Lived In Squalor As Aide, Daughters Spent $280K Of Her Money A 91-year-old Union County woman living in squalor had more than $280,000 stolen from her by her home health aide and her two daughters, authorities said Monday. Denise Letren, 64, of Union Township is charged with second-degree theft, second-degree theft by deception, and third-degree neglect of an elderly person for whom she had a responsibility to care, while 30-year-old Carmen Letren of Newark and 32-year-old Danielle Letren of Lake Hopatcong are each charged with third-degree theft, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said Monday. The 91-year-old victim realized she …
Prosecutor: Roselle Driver Filed Bogus $23K Insurance Claim Hours After Drunken Crash Prosecutor: Roselle Driver Filed Bogus $23K Insurance Claim Hours After Drunken Crash
Prosecutor: Roselle Driver Filed Bogus $23K Insurance Claim Hours After Drunken Crash A Roselle man was busted filing a bogus insurance claim on his luxury car after he drunkenly crashed it earlier this year, authorities said Friday. Brian Bullock, 31, was charged with second-degree insurance fraud, second- and third-degree falsifying government documents, and third-degree tampering with public records or information in connection with the June 20 crash, Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Roselle Police Chief Brian Barnes announced. Roselle police officers responded to Spruce Street near East 10th Avenue around 12:40 a.m. on June 20, where Bullock had drun…
PA Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Rahway Shooting PA Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Rahway Shooting
PA Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Rahway Shooting A Pennsylvania man was arrested in a 2019 Rahway shooting, authorities said Friday. Clifford Cooley, 38, of Allentown, PA, was charged with attempted murder, burglary, weapons offenses and aggravated assault in the Nov. 8, 2019 incident, Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Rahway Police Chief John Rodger said. Shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, Rahway police rushed to a home on the 1300 block of Fulton Street near the downtown train station where they found a man with a gunshot wound in his face, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Meghan Tomlin…
Newark Trio Facing Murder Charges In Hillside Shooting Newark Trio Facing Murder Charges In Hillside Shooting
Newark Trio Facing Murder Charges In Hillside Shooting Three Newark men including two already jailed on previous charges were charged in a Hillside shooting that left one man dead last March, authorities said Friday. Ameer J. Holcomb, 22, Maleak S. Williams, 22, and Ismael Merrill, 28, were each charged with first-degree murder and two related weapons offenses,  acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. Hillside police officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 1400 block of Center Street around 9 p.m. March 29, Ruotolo said. There, they found Rafee H. Carter, 27, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, Union …
Trenton Sex Offender Accused Of Strangling, Sexually Assaulting Elizabeth Woman In Her Home Trenton Sex Offender Accused Of Strangling, Sexually Assaulting Elizabeth Woman In Her Home
Trenton Sex Offender Accused Of Strangling, Sexually Assaulting Elizabeth Woman In Her Home A Trenton man formerly registered as sex offender was accused of sexually assaulting and strangling an Elizabeth woman in her home, authorities said Monday. Sylvester Meyers, 37, was arrested last Thursday in Middlesex County in connection with the Aug. 31 incident, Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Elizabeth Police Department Chief Giacomo Sacca and Director Earl Graves jointly announced. He was charged with second-degree sexual assault and third-degree aggravated assault by strangulation. Meyers was registered online as a sex offender in 2004, records show. Union Cou…
Authorities: Linden Police Bust Roselle Man With Illegal Loaded Handgun Authorities: Linden Police Bust Roselle Man With Illegal Loaded Handgun
Authorities: Linden Police Bust Roselle Man With Illegal Loaded Handgun A Roselle man was jailed after Linden police officers found him with a loaded handgun over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday. Officers responding to reports of a man with a gun stopped Corey Milligan, 51,  on Roselle Street around 2:50 a.m. Saturday, Linden Police Lt. Christopher Guenther said. Police recovered the semi-automatic gun a loaded with a large-capacity magazine, and arrested Milligan without incident, Guenther said. He was remanded to the Union County Jail pending a scheduled appearance in Superior Court.
State AG: California Man, 25, Admits Flying To New Jersey For Oral Sex From 11-Year-Old Girl State AG: California Man, 25, Admits Flying To New Jersey For Oral Sex From 11-Year-Old Girl
State AG: California Man, 25, Admits Flying To New Jersey For Oral Sex From 11-Year-Old Girl A 25-year-old California man who traveled to an Elizabeth restaurant intending to receive oral sex from an 11-year-old girl pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault in Union County Superior Court on Thursday, authorities said. Ian Brewer began exchanging emails in December 2019 with an undercover New Jersey State Police detective. The NJSP detective posed as a man willing to pay Brewer $500 to sexually assault the 11-year-old daughter of his girlfriend, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. The detective told Brewer that he and his girlfriend were members of a group that regularly met …