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Somerset County Prosecutor's Office

Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say
Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say A covert social media network used by Rutgers University students to buy and sell drugs led to seven arrests following a months-long investigation, authorities said. The seven were arrested as part of the "Operation RU Pharm" investigation, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 5. The undercover operation exposed a private social media network used by Rutgers students to distribute and purchase drugs. Investigators said they uncovered the online platform created by a former Rutgers student. Dealers posted menus of drugs for students w…
DNA Match Cracks 1997 Bridgewater Murder Case, Suspect Arrested In Canada DNA Match Cracks 1997 Bridgewater Murder Case, Suspect Arrested In Canada
DNA Match Cracks 1997 Bridgewater Murder Case, Suspect Arrested In Canada After 27 years, authorities announced an arrest in a major Bridgewater cold case murder. Robert Creter, a 60-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba resident was charged with the murder of Tamara "Tammy" Tignor, 23, of Newark,  Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said Monday, Dec. 2. Bridgewater police received a 9-1-1 call reporting the discovery of Tignor's body by a Bridgewater resident on a dirt access road that ended in a cul-de-sac off Gilbride Road near Washington Valley Park on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1997, McDonald said. An autopsy determined her death to be a homicide, authorities sai…
Dad Gets Five Years For Route 287 Road Rage Shooting With Kids In Car: Prosecutor Dad Gets Five Years For Route 287 Road Rage Shooting With Kids In Car: Prosecutor
Dad Gets Five Years For Route 287 Road Rage Shooting With Kids In Car: Prosecutor A 41-year-old Middlesex County dad was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, Nov. 15 after being convicted of multiple charges in a road rage shooting on a Route 287 exit ramp in May 2023, authorities said. While driving in heavy traffic on Easton Avenue in Franklin Township by the Route 287 exit ramp, Gerald Chapman, a Highland Park residet, pulled alongside the victim's car and struck the passenger side mirror with his left hand, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Chapman then drove behind and around to the driver's side of the vehicle, pulled out a handgun and fired two…
Man Convicted In Super Bowl Sunday Assault In Manville: Somerset County Prosecutor Man Convicted In Super Bowl Sunday Assault In Manville: Somerset County Prosecutor
Man Convicted In Super Bowl Sunday Assault In Manville: Somerset County Prosecutor A 38-year-old Manville resident was convicted on Monday, Nov. 18, of attacking an employee at a bar with a beer bottle on Super Bowl Sunday, authorities said. Junior Suriel-Gonzalez was asked to leave an unnamed establishment in Manville on Sunday, Feb. 11, when he grabbed the beer bottle and assaulted the employee, swinging it over the top of his head, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Suriel-Gonzalez was removed from the bar and fled in his car, authorities said. He was arrested early the next morning by the Manville Police Department, authorities said. He was convicted of mu…
15-Year-Old Carjacked, Ran Over Victim: Somerset County Prosecutor 15-Year-Old Carjacked, Ran Over Victim: Somerset County Prosecutor
15-Year-Old Carjacked, Ran Over Victim: Somerset County Prosecutor A 15-year-old has been arrested for a carjacking and assault that left a man with life-threatening injuries on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6 in Bernards Township, authorities said. At 11:35 a.m., officers responded to o a gas station located in the area of Valley Road and found the teenager had tried to take possession of a vehicle after assaulting the driver, a Bernards Township man, who was putting air in his tires, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Bernards Township Police Chief Jon Bur…
Tragedy On Route 202: Motorcyclist, 36, Killed In Collision With SUV In Branchburg, Police Say Tragedy On Route 202: Motorcyclist, 36, Killed In Collision With SUV In Branchburg, Police Say
Tragedy On Route 202: Motorcyclist, 36, Killed In Collision With SUV In Branchburg, Police Say A 36-year-old motorcyclist from Basking Ridge was killed Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 6 in a crash with an SUV on Route 202 in Somerset County, authorities said. An SUV driven by a 37-year-old woman from Bedminster was making a left turn onto Old York Road from Route 202 South when it collided with the motorcycle near the intersection of Old York Road in Centerville around 3:10 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The motorcyclist, who was traveling north on Route 202, was found severely injured at the scene by responding officers, McDonald said alongside…
Three Juveniles Sentenced In Killing Of Taxi Driver: Somerset County Prosecutor Three Juveniles Sentenced In Killing Of Taxi Driver: Somerset County Prosecutor
Three Juveniles Sentenced In Killing Of Taxi Driver: Somerset County Prosecutor Three boys, between the ages of 13 and 14, were recently sentenced for killing a 57-year-old man in a robbery in Franklin Township in May 2023. On Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 9:56 a.m., Franklin Township police responded to a 9-1-1 call and found Kofi Addo suffering from a gunshot wound, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. An investigation revealed three boys, ages 14, 13, and 13 as being involved in the robbery and homicide shooting of Addo, authorities said The juveniles intended to rob  Addo when one of them fired a shot killing the victim as he was operating the taxi, autho…
Ex-Con Driving On 2 Flats Found With Gun, Hollow-Point Bullets At Franklin Twp School: Cops Ex-Con Driving On 2 Flats Found With Gun, Hollow-Point Bullets At Franklin Twp School: Cops
Ex-Con Driving On 2 Flats Found With Gun, Hollow-Point Bullets At Franklin Twp School: Cops A 49-year-old Burlington Township ex-convict was found with a loaded gun and drugs at a Somerset County school one early-morning this week, authorities said. Police in Franklin Township were notified around 6:10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, that someone was driving on two flat tires on the property of a local private school, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Arriving officers found Quincy K. Clark coming out of the bushes with his hands in his pockets, they said. Officers conducting the investigation found a high-capacity ammunition magazine on Clark, and a more extensive sea…
1 Dead In Head-On Franklin Township Crash: Police 1 Dead In Head-On Franklin Township Crash: Police
1 Dead In Head-On Franklin Township Crash: Police One person was killed in a head-on crash early Tuesday, Oct. 15 in Somerset County, police said. UPDATE: Cops ID Victim Of Deadly Somerset County Crash the crash happened just before 7:25 a.m. on Amwell Road near South Middlebush Road in Franklin Township, police said. Police, fire, and EMS responded to the scene. The driver and sole occupant of one of the vehicles was pronounced dead. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The factors that contributed to the crash are under investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Offic…
Dad Convicted In Route 287 Franklin Twp Road Rage Shooting With Youngsters In Car: Prosecutor Dad Convicted In Route 287 Franklin Twp Road Rage Shooting With Youngsters In Car: Prosecutor
Dad Convicted In Route 287 Franklin Twp Road Rage Shooting With Youngsters In Car: Prosecutor A 41-year-old Middlesex County dad has been convicted of multiple charges in a road rage shooting on a Route 287 exit ramp in May 2023, authorities said. While driving in heavy traffic on Easton Avenue in Franklin Township by the Route 287 exit ramp, Gerald Chapman pulled alongside the victim's car and struck the passenger side mirror with his left hand, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Chapman then drove behind and around to the driver's side of the vehicle, pulled out a handgun and fired two shots at the car, striking the driver's window and the rear driver's side door while …
Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Plainfield man was convicted on Friday, Sept. 13 of assaulting a North Plainfield police officer by dragging him on his dirt bike in April 2022, authorities said. On April 13, Victor Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 along with 15 to 20 others, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. The dirt bikers were driving recklessly by weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies and obstructing the passage of other vehicles, authorities said. Officer James Kirchner attempted to apprehend Ogando-Marte near Rock Avenue, but he used his dirt bike to drag h…
Motorcyclist, 47, Killed In Manville Crash: Prosecutor Motorcyclist, 47, Killed In Manville Crash: Prosecutor
Motorcyclist, 47, Killed In Manville Crash: Prosecutor Police have identified the 47-year-old motorcyclist killed in a crash on Sunday, Sept. 15 in Somerset County. Belle Mead's Kevin Duwane Williams was hospitalized after the crash on South Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Manville around 5:30 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald previously said. He was taken to a local trauma hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, authorities said. Members of the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team responded to investigate along with members of the Manville Police Department, authorities said.  The investigat…
Motorcyclist, 47, Killed In Manville Crash: Prosecutor Motorcyclist, 47, Killed In Manville Crash: Prosecutor
Motorcyclist, 47, Killed In Manville Crash: Prosecutor A 47-year-old Montgomery resident, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Manville on Sunday, Sept. 15, authorities said. At 5:32 p.m., Manville police responded to South Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue and found a motorcyclist who had sustained critical injuries from a crash, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Manville Borough Police Department Deputy Chief Craig Jeremiah said. The motorcyclist, whose name was not revealed, was transported to a local trauma hospital where he succumbed to his i…
Body Of Skillman Resident, 31, Pulled From Car Submerged In River After Crash: Prosecutor Body Of Skillman Resident, 31, Pulled From Car Submerged In River After Crash: Prosecutor
Body Of Skillman Resident, 31, Pulled From Car Submerged In River After Crash: Prosecutor The body of a 31-year-old man was pulled from a vehicle that had plunged into the Delaware Raritan Canal over the weekend, police said. Police were called to Canal and Grouser roads on Saturday, Aug. 24 around 12:25 p.m. after a kayaker saw a 2024 Honda Civic in the river, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The body of the sole occupant, a 31-year-old Skillman man, was pulled from the vehicle, which was removed from the water by Mike's Towing and Recovery, McDonald said. An investigation found that the Honda had been heading west on Grouser Road when he entered the inte…
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors A Somerset man was accused of trying to get a boy to send him nude pictures and videos in a sextortion scheme, authorities said. Sebastian Romero, 27, was arrested on Friday, Aug. 2, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said in a news release. The investigation started after the boy's family contacted the Cinnaminson Township Police Department in July. Investigators said Romero met the boy online through an online gaming platform's chatroom and knew the boy was underage. He got personal information about the boy before offering to pay him with electronic gif…
Man Wanted For Unlawfully Possessing Weapon In Somerset County: Prosecutor Man Wanted For Unlawfully Possessing Weapon In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Man Wanted For Unlawfully Possessing Weapon In Somerset County: Prosecutor A 37-year-old man is at large after he unlawfully possessed a handgun in Somerset County in June 2021, authorities said. James Schoenknecht was named Somerset County's Fugitive of the Month for August by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. He has remained at large since he was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a prohibited weapon or device since an incident that occurred on June 26, 2021 in Sound Bound Brook. Schoenknecht is believed to be in Cranford or Naples, Fla, authorities said. Anyone with information on Schoenknecht's whereabouts should contac…
6 Charged In Luxury NJ Car Thefts: Prosecutor 6 Charged In Luxury NJ Car Thefts: Prosecutor
6 Charged In Luxury NJ Car Thefts: Prosecutor Five men and one juvenile were recently arrested and charged with numerous residential and vehicle burglaries in Somerset County, authorities said. In October 2023, broke into a Bernards Township home through a rear sliding window and stole a 2023 Mercedes Benz, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald announced. A 2020 Kia, previously stolen from Newark, was let behind at the scene. Several days later, entry was made into a home in Bernardsville and two BMWs were stolen, authorities said. In November, a Dodge Charger and BMW were stolen, authorities said. In December, police from Gre…
Two Queens Men Busted After Burglarizing Vehicles At Parks: Somerset County Prosecutor Two Queens Men Busted After Burglarizing Vehicles At Parks: Somerset County Prosecutor
Two Queens Men Busted After Burglarizing Vehicles At Parks: Somerset County Prosecutor Two Queens men were arrested and charged with breaking into vehicles in Somerset County, authorities said. Jose Cabanzo-Pena, 28, and Luis Eduardo Pena-Garzon, 32, were targeting parks throughout Somerset County to commit motor vehicle burglaries, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr.,, Bernards Township Chief of Police Jon Burger and Hillsborough Township Chief of Police Michael McMahon said. The duo were detained by police after being spotted at Mountain Park in Bernards Township on the morning of …
Somerset Resident Tampered With Evidence In Child Porn Bust: Prosecutor Somerset Resident Tampered With Evidence In Child Porn Bust: Prosecutor
Somerset Resident Tampered With Evidence In Child Porn Bust: Prosecutor A 30-year-old Somerset County resident was arrested and charged on Friday, July 12, with possessing child pornography, authorities said. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office involving the uploading of child sexual abuse material by Allana Arrieta, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. A search was conducted at Arrieta's Somerville home where they were were placed under arrest, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Somerville Chief of Poli…
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…
NJ Man, 62, Busted On Child Porn Charges, Prosecutor Says NJ Man, 62, Busted On Child Porn Charges, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man, 62, Busted On Child Porn Charges, Prosecutor Says A 62-year-old Somerset County man has been arrested on child porn charges, authorities said. George Wohar, Jr., of North Plainfield, became the center of an investigation following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. An investigation initiated by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations/Computer Crimes Unit confirmed that various electronic service providers containing numerous images of child pornography were all associated with George Wohar, Jr., McDonald said…
Ex-Cop Pleads Guilty In Double-Fatal Off Duty DWI Wreck In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says Ex-Cop Pleads Guilty In Double-Fatal Off Duty DWI Wreck In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says
Ex-Cop Pleads Guilty In Double-Fatal Off Duty DWI Wreck In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says A 30-year-old former police officer has pleaded guilty to charges filed in connection with a double-fatal wreck he caused while off duty last summer, authorities announced. Amitoj Oberoi, 29, of Somerset, was employed as an Edison police officer at the time of the accident on Route 27 in Franklin Township that killed Carlos Perez-Gayan, a 24-year-old Somerset resident, and Victor Cabrera-Francisco, a 20-year-old North Brunswick resident, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Oberoi pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated, authorities said. His …
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 8-Year-Old Gets 4 Years In Prison, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 8-Year-Old Gets 4 Years In Prison, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 8-Year-Old Gets 4 Years In Prison, Prosecutor Says A 59-year-old New Jersey resident was sentenced to four years in state prison on Friday, June 14 for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old in 2022, authorities said. In March 2022, police began investigating after an 8-year-old said Raul Elias of Manville sexually assaulted her, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said.  Elias was subsequently convicted of endangering the welfare of a child in March 2024 after a three-day trial, authorities said. As part of his sentence, Elias must register as a sex offender and be on parole supervision for the rest of his life.  When sentencing…
PA Man Extradited For 2023 Armed Robbery Of North Plainfield Gas Station PA Man Extradited For 2023 Armed Robbery Of North Plainfield Gas Station
PA Man Extradited For 2023 Armed Robbery Of North Plainfield Gas Station A 27-year-old Allentown, PA man was arrested and charged with a 2023 armed robbery in North Plainfield, NJ, authorities said. On Sept. 30, 2023, at 4:50 a.m., police in North Plainfield responded to a gas station at Route 22 for an armed robbery, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. The gas station attendant told police that an unknown male, later identified as Elijah Nunnally, pulled into the station and asked him to fill the tank, authorities said.  Nunnally then got out of his vehicle and pointed a handgun at the attendant, demanding money, before leaving with the ca…
NJ Man Steals Construction Vehicle, Crashes Multiple Times, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Steals Construction Vehicle, Crashes Multiple Times, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Steals Construction Vehicle, Crashes Multiple Times, Prosecutor Says A 24-year-old man has been arrested for stealing a construction vehicle and leading a police pursuit in Somerset County on Tuesday, June 4, authorities said. Amr Khodeer, of Somerville, stole a vehicle from Union Street and sped away around 2:15 p.m. on June 4,  Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Bridgewater Township Chief of Police John Mitzak said. Khodeer drove "in a reckless manner," hitting two other cars and a structure in Bridgewater Township, authorities said. One of those driver…
Somerset Teen Convicted Of Assaulting Employee, Fracturing Face: Prosecutor Somerset Teen Convicted Of Assaulting Employee, Fracturing Face: Prosecutor
Somerset Teen Convicted Of Assaulting Employee, Fracturing Face: Prosecutor A 19-year-old Somerset teen was convicted on Friday, May 10, of brutally beating an employee at a business in Franklin Township in Nov. 2022, authorities said. On Nov. 23, 2022, Yahmir Brown, along with a juvenile, assaulted at an employee of a local business on Hamilton Street in Franklin Township,  Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. The employee suffered multiple facial fractures, authorities said. Brown was convicted of aggravated assault and faces a mandatory prison sentence, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Fra…
NJ Man Convicted Of Raping 12-Year-Old Girl He Met Online, Prosecutors Say NJ Man Convicted Of Raping 12-Year-Old Girl He Met Online, Prosecutors Say
NJ Man Convicted Of Raping 12-Year-Old Girl He Met Online, Prosecutors Say A 22-year-old Piscataway man was convicted on Tuesday, May 14 of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he'd met online in 2021, authorities said. In July 2021, a 12-year-old girl said she was sexually assaulted in Bound Brook by Lenic Galvan, a man she met on social media, Somerset County Prosecutor John  McDonald said. Galvan arranged for transportation for the girl before he sexually assaulted her, authorities said. Following an investigation and DNA test, Galvan was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and was convicted of sexual assault by contact and endangering th…
One Dead When Car Slams Tree In Somerset County (UPDATE) One Dead When Car Slams Tree In Somerset County (UPDATE)
One Dead When Car Slams Tree In Somerset County (Update) One person was killed in a crash Thursday, May 9 in Franklin Township (Somerset County), authorities confirmed. Firefighters and police were dispatched to the scene at Route 27 near Reler Lane, where a southbound vehicle struck a tree just after 8:05 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Police offices, firefighters, and EMS personnel responded to the scene. Due to the extent of the injuries sustained, the victim was pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m.  A section of Route 27 was closed for approximately four hours. The factors that contributed to the crash remain unde…
Child Abuser Sought In Somerset County: Prosecutor Child Abuser Sought In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Child Abuser Sought In Somerset County: Prosecutor The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Fugitive Task Force Unit is seeking the public's help in finding a 43-year-old man wanted for abusing a child. Joseph Zuziela, Jr. is 5'9", 175 lbs, with black hair and hazel eyes, authorities said. He has tattoos on his left and right arm, authorities said. His last known addresses were in Branchburg and Brooklyn, authorities said.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit at 908-231-7100.
NJ Driver, 33, In Deadly Hit-Run Made U-Turn Before Returning: Prosecutor NJ Driver, 33, In Deadly Hit-Run Made U-Turn Before Returning: Prosecutor
NJ Driver, 33, In Deadly Hit-Run Made U-Turn Before Returning: Prosecutor A Flemington man has been arrested in a deadly pedestrian crash, authorities in Somerset County said. Andres Estaban Silva, 33, was in a 2019 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck heading north on Veterans Memorial Drive and turning left onto Somerset Street in Somerville, when he struck a 72-year-old resident on Friday, April 26 around 6:10 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Following the crash, Silva made a U-turn and fled east on Veterans Memorial Drive, McDonald said. It wasn't long before he returned to the scene and parked in a lot on Somerset Street near the crash site…
Pair Who Dumped Body In NYC Face Murder Charges: Somerset County Prosecutor Pair Who Dumped Body In NYC Face Murder Charges: Somerset County Prosecutor
Pair Who Dumped Body In NYC Face Murder Charges: Somerset County Prosecutor The two men who killed a 46-year-old Somerset County resident and then dumped his body in Brooklyn last December were indicted on Thursday, April 25, with first degree murder, authorities said. A grand jury in Somerset County levied the indictments against Daniel Matthews, a 44-year-old Brooklyn resident, and and Andrew Mumby, a 47-year-old New Brunswick resident in the murder of Artis Young, a Franklin Township resident, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Franklin Township Public Safety …