Ocean County Prosecutor Office

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications. For additional information visit our website at www.oceancountyprosecutor.org. Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and adellafave@co.ocean.nj.us.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little are asking media outlets to post the attached picture of Kenneth Lyons, 36, of Ocean, New Jersey, wanted for the charges of Aggravated Arson and Attempted Murder. The charges stem from a fire he allegedly set to a Toms River home in early April.

Lyons, who could not be located at his listed addresses, is 5’9” and weighs approximately 204 pounds. His MVC driver’s license photo can be found on the next page of this release. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kenneth Lyons should contact TRPD Detective Andrew Chencharik at 732-349-0150 Ext. 1338, their local police or the US Marshals Service by e-mail at: usms.wanted@usdoj.gov. All information will be treated as confidential.

On April 7, 2018, at approximately 1:30 am, police and fire units responded to 6 Castro Grove Road in Toms River for a structure fire. Units from Silverton, Pleasant Plains, and East Dover fire companies responded and extinguished the fires. Toms River Officers noting suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire immediately secured the scene and notified fire investigation personnel to respond. The subsequent investigation would lead to the identification of Kenneth Lyons as the defendant who is alleged to have deliberately set both fires. Lyons is an acquaintance of the victim.

Toms River Police Detective Andrew Chencharik, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Detective Thomas Haskell Jr., and Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention Officer Dominick Roselli are conducting the investigation. Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Detectives Jordan Toscano and Jillian Marin documented the crime scene.

The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are accusations only. Every criminal defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The post MAN WANTED FOR AGGRAVATED ARSON AND ATTEMPTED MURDER appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police today announced the arrest of Alan McGinnis, 27, of Pemberton in the death of Cody MacPherson whose remains were discovered in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area this past March.

On September 24^th 2017, Pemberton Township Police Detectives filed a missing person report for Cody MacPherson, 20, who recently moved to Browns Mills from Portage, Indiana.

On March 19, 2018, at 1:32 p.m., the Jackson Township Police Department received a call from Richard Byrne, a District Warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Warden Byrne was conducting a controlled burn in the area between 433 and 483 South Stump Tavern Road in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. Warden Byrne was preparing the area for the burn when he observed human remains under logs close to the area of the burn. He then moved closer and noticed what he believed to be a human skull. Warden Byrne then contacted his supervisor via radio and requested a suppression team to respond to put out the burn in the area to preserve the evidence.

Detectives from the New Jersey State Police Homicide South Unit were contacted, and Detective Shaun Clark was assigned to work the investigation with the Major Crime Homicide Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Initial identification was made showing that the remains found were suspected to be those of Cody MacPherson, a missing person out of Burlington County.

On March 20, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., a Post Mortem Examination was conducted at Community Medical Center in Toms River NJ. The Forensic Pathologist assigned was Dr. Dante Ragasa, who received assistance from Anna Delaney, a Forensic Anthropologist, and Dr. Stewart Alexander, a Forensic Odontologist. Subsequent to the examination, Dr. Ragasa ruled the cause of death to be a stab wound to the left abdomen and the manner of death to be homicide. Dr. Alexander took photographs and X-rays of the teeth, and determined that all dental work observed was consistent with the records obtained for the missing person, Cody MacPherson.

On April 17, 2018, D/Sgt. Joseph Itri of the NJSP was contacted by Anna Delaney, a Forensic Anthropologist, who informed him that the NJSP Laboratory positively identified the remains found in Jackson Township to be those of Cody MacPherson by DNA analysis.

On April 21, 2018 at approximately 0600 hours, two residential search warrants were executed in Pemberton Township and Jackson Township. The investigation revealed that during the early hours of September 24, 2017, Alan McGinnis of Pemberton, NJ allegedly stabbed Cody MacPherson multiple times at the residence of 234 Pardee Blvd in Pemberton Township, NJ. McGinnis then used a vehicle available at the residence to transport the victim in the trunk to the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area on South Stump Tavern Road in Jackson. McGinnis later traveled back to Pemberton where the scene was cleaned of visible blood and other evidence of the murder. The suspect also destroyed evidence associated with the crime.

On April 21, 2017, Alan McGinnis was charged by the New Jersey State Police with murder, kidnapping, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, improper disposal of human remains, and destruction of evidence. He is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Brant Uricks of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Homicide Unit at (732) 929-2027, Detective Shaun Clark of the New Jersey State Police Homicide Unit, Detective Brian Miller of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Homicide Unit, Detective Jason Luis of the Pemberton Police Department, or Detective Scott Conover of the Jackson Township Police Department.

The public and the press are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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On 4/23/2018, at approximately 10:50 am, the Plumsted Township Police Dept. responded to the area of Route 539 and Longswamp Road for a serious motor vehicle accident with injuries. Upon their arrival, police observed a Mack dump truck overturned in a field along Rt. 539 and a Lexus SUV with extensive driver side damage in the roadway.

Medical attention was immediately rendered, but tragically, paramedics pronounced the female driver and passenger in the Lexus SUV dead on the scene. The Lexus driver is identified as Nancy Harris, 79, of Newtown, PA. Her passenger is identified as Helen Conover, 84, of Hamilton New Jersey. The male dump truck driver, James Bevacqua, 58, of Little Egg Harbor was transported to Deborah Heart and Lung Center with minor back pain.

The accident investigation conducted by the Plumsted Township Police and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Fatal Accident Investigations Unit revealed that a PDC Trucking Company 2017 Mack GU7 (dump truck), driven by James Bevacqua was traveling northbound on Route 539, carrying approximately 20 tons of sand. As Bevacqua approached the intersection of Woodruff Road, the 2010 Lexus Rx350, driven by Nancy Harris, made a left onto Rt. 539 into the path of the dump truck to head south. It was at this time the Lexus was impacted on the driver’s side by the Mack truck.

Route 539 was closed for the accident investigation and roadway cleanup from 11 am until just after 3 pm causing extensive traffic delays in the area.

The post PLUMSTED DOUBLE FATAL MVA appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

The detention hearing for Alan McGinnis, 27, of Pemberton, charged in the death of Cody MacPherson, has been tentatively scheduled by the court to be heard before Judge Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C. this Thursday (4/26) at 9am.

Public Defender Melissa Barbier, Esq. is representing McGinnis. Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone is the prosecuting attorney for the state. Media should be aware that there is a probability of the hearing being rescheduled last minute. It is common for the public defender to request an adjournment in order to review case documents.

The hearing stems from the April 21, 2018 charging of Alan McGinnis with murder, kidnapping, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, improper disposal of human remains, and destruction of evidence. He remains lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

Anyone with information regarding the death of Cody MacPherson should contact Detective Brant Uricks of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Homicide Unit at (732) 929-2027, Detective Shaun Clark of the New Jersey State Police Homicide Unit, Detective Brian Miller of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Homicide Unit, Detective Jason Luis of the Pemberton Police Department, or Detective Scott Conover of the Jackson Township Police Department.

The public and the press are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The post JACKSON REMAINS MURDER SUSPECT DETENTION HEARING SCHEDULED appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, an Ocean County Jury seated before the Honorable Therese Cunningham, J.S.C., in Toms River, found defendant Robert Cardell, 55, of Salem, NJ, guilty of eight counts of Theft by Deception in the Third Degree and eight counts of Unregistered Home Improvement Contracting in the Fourth Degree. Each count of Theft by Deception is punishable by up to 5 years in New Jersey state prison. Each count of Unregistered Home Improvement Contracting carries a possible maximum sentence of eighteen months.

Between the months of September 2016 and April 2017, the defendant had approached eight Ocean County residents and misrepresented himself as a fully insured and registered home improvement contractor. Many of the eight residents were in their seventies and eighties. The defendant took deposits for various repair work he promised to perform on each of the victims’ homes and often never returned. The defendant then fabricated multiple stories as to why the work was not started. In some instances, the defendant would return to ask the victims for more money – fabricating a story about having to spend the initial deposit on hospital bills for an injured grandson.

At trial, all eight victims, Edward McBride of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Jeff Marchitello of Farmers’ Insurance, and Officer Michael Bennet of the Brick Township Police Department were among the witnesses to testify for the State.

The defendant, who was detained pending his trial, was remanded to the Ocean County Jail by Judge Cunningham to await sentencing on the matter. Assistant Prosecutor Francis Hodgson presented the State’s case. Sgt. Mark Malinowski from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office conducted the investigation and preparation of the case for trial.

The post SALEM COUNTY CONTRACTOR GUILTY ON CHARGES OF THEFT FROM OCEAN COUNTY RESIDENTS appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

This morning, at approximately 630 am, Ocean County Prosecutor Economic Crimes Unit Detectives James Conroy and Stephen T. Shadiack Jr. arrested Karl P. Scheufler, 47, of Brick (aka “Without Prejudice”) on a third degree complaint summons for filing a False Public Instrument.

Scheufler’s arrest stems from the charge of Falsifying Government Records pursuant to NJSA 2C:28-7(a). Schuefler, who allegedly filed the false Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statement (Liens against victims) from his home in Brick, holds himself as a sovereign citizen known as “Iesus: the Christ, an irrevocable trust” and declares his current name to be “Without Prejudice.” The matter was brought to the attention of the Prosecutor’s Office by the victims who had previous dealings with Schuefler. Brick Township Police provided assistance. Senior AP William Scharfenberg approved the charges against Scheufler.

He has been released to answer the charge in court at a future date. The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty

The post BRICK MAN ARRESTED IN FILING FALSE PUBLIC GOVERNMENT RECORDS CASE appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles A. Fiore, Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio, and Clayton Borough Police Chief Andrew Davis announced today the arrest of a Brick Township couple allegedly operating a CDS (Controlled Dangerous Substance) drug making facility. Arrested were Jason Andrew Bacon, DOB 1/9/83, of 400 B Laurel Brook Drive, Brick and Kim Christopher (female), DOB 12/15/86, of Toms River.

The co-op investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Guns, Gangs and Narcotics Task Force, the Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit and Clayton Borough Police Department additionally involved the assistance of the following agencies: US Department of the Treasury, US Postal Service, New Jersey State Police, Pitman and Westville Police Departments.

The defendants’ arrest stems from a four-month investigation resulting in court authorized search warrants being executed at 400 B Laurel Brook Drive in Brick (Ocean County), New Jersey and 1111 North Delsea Drive in Clayton Borough (Gloucester County), New Jersey.

The CDS making facility was allegedly being operated out of the 1111 North Delsea Drive residence and a greenhouse structure just outside the residence where detectives seized 38 marijuana plants, over five (5) pounds of previously cultivated marijuana, THC wax, U.S currency, and a loaded .25 caliber Beretta handgun.

Both Jason Bacon and Kim Christopher are charged with the following:

– Maintaining a CDS Manufacturing Facility (1st degree)

– Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute (2nd degree)

– Possession of Over 50 grams of Marijuana (4th degree)

– Possession of CDS (cocaine) (3rd degree)

– Possession of CDS paraphernalia (DP)

– Possession of a Firearm during a CDS offense (2nd degree)

– Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (2nd degree)

– Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose (2nd degree)

As a result of the Clayton, New Jersey search warrant, Jason Bacon is charged additionally with the following:

– Maintaining a CDS Manufacturing Facility (1st degree)

– Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute (1st degree) (Marijuana plants)

– Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute (1st degree) (Cultivated marijuana)

– Possession of Over 50 grams of Marijuana (4th degree)

– Maintaining a Fortified Structure (boards across entrances) during a CDS offense (3rd degree)

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The post CDS MANUFACTURING FACILITY CLOSED FOR BUSINESS appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the guilty plea of Jelani Webster, 19, of Trenton, in connection with the drowning death of Anijyah Price, 23, of Newark, NJ, at the Beach Amethyst Motel in Point Pleasant Beach in July of 2017. Webster entered a guilty plea to an accusation charged Manslaughter, a second degree crime, which carries a maximum period of incarceration of up to ten years, subject to the “No Early Release Act”.

The case was presented to the Ocean County Grand Jury on October 25, 2017. The Grand Jury returned an indictment for Murder. The defense filed a motion to dismiss the indictment. The Court granted the motion to dismiss the indictment April 3, 2018.

This plea agreement resulted from negotiations which took place as the State was preparing the case for presentation to another grand jury.

The investigation revealed that Ms. Price, Ms. Webster and Kyle Thompson had traveled to Point Pleasant Beach on July 10, 2017. Each of them consumed alcohol throughout the night. They rented a room at the Beach Amethyst motel. At approximately 5:20 a.m., a 911 call was made by a motel guest reporting that someone was in the pool and not breathing. The guests were awakened by a knock on their motel door. The husband of the 911 caller jumped in the pool and pulled Ms. Price out.

Kyle Thompson stated that he did not observe how Ms. Price ended up in the deep end of the pool as he was walking back to their room when he heard a splash. Upon realizing Ms. Price was in danger, Kyle Thompson, who stated he is unable to swim, directed Ms. Webster to knock on doors to get help. He climbed down one ladder and tried to reach in as he was still holding onto the ladder himself but was unable to reach Ms. Price.

Investigation uncovered video surveillance showing that Defendant pushed Ms. Price into the deep end of the pool. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that defendant was aware that Ms. Price could not swim.

The investigation was conducted by the following: Det. John Murphy and Det. Lindsay Woodfield from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office; Sgt. Clint Daniel, Det. Derek O’Neill and Det. Meany from the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department, and Det. Michael Senger from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit.

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Terry Ann Linardakis represented the State. The defendant was represented by Terrance L. Turnbach, Esquire.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable James N. Blaney, J.S.C., on June 29, 2018.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and President of the Ocean County School Administrators Loren B. Fuhring today announced the recipients of the 2018 school year Ocean County Prosecutor/Ocean County Association of School Administrators “Unsung Hero” Student Recognition Awards.

The recognition awards program, in its’ fourth year, gives every Ocean County school the opportunity to submit one (1) student from the highest graduating class as the school’s “UnSung Hero”. This is not an academic award. The award criteria cites that the student has overcome some type of major adversity, challenge (physical or emotional) and/or has shown immense improvement.

This past Wednesday (5/2), in a ceremony held at the Frog Pond Elementary School in Little Egg Harbor, recipients from across Ocean County received their award certificate in a “You Make A Difference” decorative folder frame pictured below. They will also receive a commemorative DVD.

As in years past Prosecutor Coronato delivered a congratulatory address to those in attendance stating, “This is a good day – this is your day – a day you will always remember. An award represents recognition for something very special that you and you alone were able to accomplish. We should never underestimate the importance of recognizing someone even for the smallest achievement or accomplishment. Always remember, life is what you make it – and as the recipients of these awards you have already shown us that whatever you put your mind to you can accomplish. It is not always the monumental accomplishments that make people notice us, sometimes it is the tiny little things that make you shine and be recognized.”

2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Alexis Mackiewicz Tuckerton Elementary School

Seth Edwards Toms River High School South

Leslie Yupa Toms River High School North

Samantha Convery Toms River High School East

Madelyn Beirne Stafford Intermediate School

Danielle Shepherd Point Pleasant Borough High School

Hunter Clark Point Pleasant Beach High School

Jillian Williams Pinelands Regional High School

Andres J. Acevedo Ocean Gate Elementary School

Anthony Brenner Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Waretown Center

Jerrod Jordan Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Toms River Center

Grace Cocanower Ocean County Vocational Technical School – MATES

Taylor Kurinzi Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Lakehurst Center

Herman Irizarry Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Jackson Center

Sergio Cortes Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Brick Center

Justin Pritikin New Egypt High School

Jerry Ward Manchester Township High School

Isaac Enu Lavallette Elementary School

Michelle Elias Lakewood Middle School

Shaniah Sky Morris Lakehurst Elementary School

Benjamin Werner Lacey Township High School

Allison Brown Jackson Memorial High School

Samantha Burger Jackson Liberty High School

Shayla Buser Island Heights Elementary School

Joseph Lopez Hugh J. Boyd, Jr., Elementary School

Logan Buffin George J. Mitchell Elementary School

Faith Barreau Frog Pond Elementary School

Ethan Grabich Eagleswood Township Elementary School

Elizabeth McGee-Shearin Central Regional High School

Olivia Kenny Brick Township High School

Connor Buckley Brick Memorial High School

Kellen Hess Berkeley Township Elementary School

Richard Fasolo Barnegat High School

The post OCPO / OC SCHOOLS RECOGNIZE OC STUDENT “UNSUNG HEROES” appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio today announced the results of the “Gun Turn-In” event. The program held at the Brick Township Police Headquarters on Chambers Bridge Road this past Saturday (5/5) between the hours of 9am to 1pm resulted in a total of 13 guns, 10 long guns (rifles) and 3 handguns, turned into Brick PD and OCPO members for safe disposal – all will be destroyed.

The event was a collaborative effort by the Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to give individuals a safe and convenient option to dispose of unwanted firearms before a tragedy occurs. The guns turned-in can never be stolen in a burglary and used later in a violent crime. Additionally, they can never fall into the hands of a curious child and cause the death of that child, a friend, or some other innocent person.

The seven individuals who took advantage of the program that was advertised through the local press, social media and flyers were directed to transport their unwanted guns to the event locked in the trunk of their vehicle unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gun-box or securely tied package. The most common reasons heard for the turn-ins were that they had received the firearm after the death of a loved one or that they purchased the firearm many years ago and now no longer had interest in keeping the weapon. All expressed their appreciation for the convenient option to dispose of the firearms.

The success of the event has already brought requests from other local police chiefs to partner with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for additional events in their areas. Stay tuned for future program announcements!

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker today announced the results of an investigation into the deaths of two Manchester Township residents.

On Sunday, May 6, 2018, at approximately 12:57a.m., Manchester Township Police were notified regarding an emergency 9-1-1 call from a male caller at 9A Lexington Drive, Whiting, New Jersey, stating he killed his wife and was going to kill himself.

Manchester Township Police Officers responded and attempted to make contact with occupants inside of the residence with negative results. They subsequently discovered the front door of the residence unlocked and made entry into the residence. Upon entering the residence, they observed the body of a female, who appeared to be the victim of a homicide. The officers proceeded further into the residence where they observed a male, later identified as Ernest Greaves, 82, seated in a recliner chair in the living room area holding a handgun to his chin. Manchester Police Sergeant Joseph Hankins verbally ordered the male subject to drop the gun at which time the male subject discharged the firearm, fatally wounding himself.

Emergency Medical aid immediately responded, but both the woman, who was later identified as Beverly Greaves, 80, and her husband, Ernest Greaves, were pronounced deceased.

The investigation by the Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department (CSI) and the Ocean County Medical Examiner determined that Mr. Greaves caused Mrs. Greaves’ fatal injuries prior to taking his own life. The Ocean County medical examiner ruled that Mr. Greaves’ death was caused by the gunshot and the manner of death was suicide. Mrs. Greaves’ death was caused by blunt head trauma inflicted by a hammer found at the scene and that the manner of death was homicide.

Through this tragic event, Prosecutor Coronato and Chief Parker hope to raise awareness of the fact that domestic violence for senior couples is becoming all too common. Although experts say the numbers are tough to track for those over 45, there is no doubt many seniors in long-term relationships are suffering in silence without seeking help for domestic abuse. Recently, more than 39,000 of the calls received in the last two years at the National Domestic Violence Hotline came from people over age 45, and it is clear that abuse can escalate as couples get older and their children leave home.

Our partnering agencies want to make it clear to Ocean County’s large senior population that there are many options for help. Domestic abuse can never be justified no matter how many years of marriage a couple shares. There is help – below is contact information for agencies ready to help and that will keep your inquiry in the strictest confidence.

Providence House Domestic Violence Services
- 24 Hour Hotline
- (732) 244-8259
- (800) 246-8910

Adult Protective Services
- Board of Social Services
- (732) 349-1500

Francis Counseling Services
- Sexual Abuse & Assault Program
- 4700 Long Beach Blvd.
- Long Beach Twp., NJ 08008
- (609) 494-1090

General help/crisis intervention help line for Ocean County
- (732) 240-6100

National Domestic Violence Hotline
- 1-800-799-7233
- 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato is proud to announce Sergeant John (Jack) Steinhauer was recognized by the Mental Health Awareness Committee of Ocean County for demonstrating a tireless commitment to mental health issues and stigma reduction in our community. Sergeant Steinhauer received his certificate of acknowledgement at the “Celebrating Wellness” Award and Proclamation Ceremony held May 2nd at the Ocean County Library.

Steinhauer was selected for the acknowledgement based on OCPO Senior Assistant Prosecutor Renee T. White’s award submission to the committee. SAP White cited the role Sgt. Steinhauer played in implementing the Office of the Attorney General’s NJ CLEAR requirements for law enforcement in 2017. As a part of the Attorney Generals mandate, every sworn Law Enforcement person in the county was required to attend an eight (8) hour “Special Needs for Law Enforcement Training”. In Ocean County that would require approximately 1,300 officers be trained. Without hesitation, Jack stepped up to see that the mandate was met. He often worked after his regularly scheduled work hours to complete this task, never with a complaint or hesitation. He has trained hundreds of officers over the past year. Additionally, Jack did a presentation recently to Great Adventure security staff when he was advised that they were hosting an Autism Awareness Day. Park officials requested their security staff be well trained before the event. Sgt. Steinhauer made sure that happened by revising the Office of Attorney General training to meet the needs and concerns of the park staff.

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “Jack’s work ethic and commitment to those he serves helps not only the mental health community, but has added to the safety of all in our community. He is a selfless advocate and a skilled presenter dedicated to public safety and a credit to the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor.”

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LITTLE EGG HARBOR TWP. — Ocean County experts will provide residents an in-depth look into the opioid epidemic ravaging the county and the state at a Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall Series hosted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

The town hall, which is open to the public free of charge, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 850 Railroad Drive, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for dinner and registration. The event will be held in collaboration with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Calvary Baptist Church.

“It is important that residents get involved in the conversation and participate in their local Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall to learn more about the disease of addiction, develop strategies to prevent substance use in their families and identify resources that can help people struggling with addiction,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “No community is immune to the opioid epidemic, and only by coming together can we effectively explore solutions to address this crisis.”

The series, which began in 2017 and has been hosted in 17 counties thus far, focuses on the link between prescription opioid dependency and heroin use and examines the causes and possible solutions of the opioid crisis from several perspectives, including law enforcement, government, the medical community, prevention, treatment and recovery.

Ocean County has been greatly impacted by the opioid crisis. In 2016, 253 people died of drug overdoses in Ocean County, a majority of which involved heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids. That total represented the second-highest among New Jersey’s 21 counties.

“Government, health, community and law enforcement officials nationally today have a clear picture of the tragic depth of the opioid crisis. The fight to address it is a marathon – not a sprint, where all four entities must work together,” said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato. “Law enforcement cannot solve this crisis alone. We must develop partnerships and build a new system from the ground up in order to make any real impact. Town hall events are critical in examining every element of the problem to find solutions and implement proactive measures to stop the unspeakable tragic loss of life. Each town hall provides valuable lessons from those living the nightmare.”

Speakers will include:

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato
Muhammad Abbas, Jersey Shore University Medical Center
Pastor Mike Dellaperute, Calvary Baptist Church
Lisa Dejesus, BS, Director of Prevention Services, Prevention Links
Michael Capko, Manager – DART Coalition

A dedicated website, knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org, includes the full schedule of countywide town hall meetings and registration information. Knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org also provides local, county and state substance abuse prevention and treatment resources available.

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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $100 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 166 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Berkeley Township Police Chief Karin DiMichele today announced the arrest of Cody Lessing, 25, of Bayville, NJ in connection with the drug induced deaths of James Tice Jr. and Keith Tandberg.

“Prosecutor Coronato stated, “OCPO will continue to lead the way in developing Strict Liability/Drug Induced Death cases. It’s critical during this opiate crisis we take strong punitive measures against dealers bringing death to those fighting addiction”.

Yesterday (5/15), Cody Lessing was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death (2 counts), Manslaughter (2 counts), Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl (2 count), Possession of Heroin and Fentanyl (2 counts) and Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl (2 counts). Lessing is currently incarcerated in the Ocean County Correctional Facility since February 25, 2018 on prior narcotic drug charges pertaining to same incident.

The above charges stem from the death investigation of James Tice Jr. and Keith Tandberg that occurred on February 25, 2018 in the Township of Berkeley. On that date (2/25), the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to two separate 911 calls within seven hours of each other for unresponsive males within their jurisdiction. Tandberg, 45, of Berkeley was found unresponsive and pronounced deceased just after midnight and Tice, 28, also of Berkeley was later found unresponsive and pronounced deceased in the early morning hours of the same day.

Berkeley Officers at both scenes, observing signs of a drug overdose, immediately, per the Prosecutor’s directive, contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit to respond. The ensuing intensive investigation would ultimately lead back to Lessing and link him to both deaths. An autopsy by the Ocean County Medical Examiner would confirm that Tandberg and Tice’s deaths were drug induced due to lethal doses of heroin combined with fentanyl.

Members of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Major Crime Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit conducted this investigation. Ocean County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Sheehan is the case prosecutor. Continued next page…

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The post OCPO CONTINUES TO LEAD IN STRICT LIABILITY CHARGES AGAINST THOSE PROVIDING ILLEGAL NARCOTICS TO THOSE FIGHTING ADDICTION appeared first on Ocean County Prosecutor Office.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Little Egg Harbor Police Chief Richard Buzby today announced the arrest of Kendrick Coley, 25, of Little Egg Harbor, in the death of Richard Pone, 28, also of Little Egg Harbor. Coley is charged with Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose.

On Wednesday (5/16/2018), at approximately 8:15 pm, the Little Egg Harbor Police Department was dispatched to 21 Maplewood Drive, in reference to a 911 call reporting a male within the residence with a knife. Patrol Officers in route were advised additionally by dispatch that a male subject had been stabbed inside the residence. Upon their arrival they encountered the defendant, Kendrick Coley, in the garage area of the residence and immediately took control of him in order to ascertain what took place at the residence. Patrol officers were directed by a female at the home to a second floor bedroom, where they discovered Richard Pone unresponsive with a stab wound to his left upper chest area. Pone was pronounced dead at the scene 8:42 pm.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and Ocean County Sherriff’s Department CSI were contacted by Little Egg Harbor PD in continuance of the investigation. The investigation by the partnering agencies found that there was an altercation between Coley and Pone, where Coley retrieved a kitchen knife and allegedly stabbed Pone in the upstairs bedroom. The altercation allegedly resulted from Pone confronting Coley about an assault against a female at the residence that had taken place earlier.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced that the concerted efforts of Ocean County Law Enforcement and residents continue to bring great success in disposing of unused prescription medications. On Friday (5/18) OCPO supervised the safe disposal of 3500 lbs. of unused prescription meds. Since the programs start in the summer of 2014, thirty four thousand eight hundred sixty (34,860) pounds of various medicines have been destroyed between October 3, 2014 and May 18, 2018. Below is the list of burn dates and totals:

October 3, 2014             2220 lbs.
March 27, 2015              2880 lbs.
July 17, 2015               2520 lbs.
October 29, 2015            2300 lbs.
December 2, 2015          1040 lbs.
April 13, 2016              2380 lbs.
July 20, 2016               2960 lbs.
October 26, 2016            2800 lbs
March 1, 2017               3280 lbs
August 3, 2017              4,460 lbs
December 14, 2017         4,420 lbs
May 18, 2018                3500 lbs

Project Medicine Drop is the countywide initiative to make disposal of unused medications an easy convenient priority for Ocean County residents. With just under half of the municipalities in Ocean County having easily accessible medication drop boxes at police department entrances, there is no excuse not to clean out and drop off these potentially dangerous meds. Please do your part to “Clean Out & Drop Off” those unused meds. For more info call #OCPO Lt Cindy Boyd at (732) 929-2027 Ext. 3025 or go to: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/meddrop or www.oceancountyprosecutor.org

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and over thirty (30) faith based leaders from every denomination across Ocean County will be calling upon their congregations to “Love Thy Neighbor” by standing up against hatred, racism and anti-Semitism.

The profound “Love Thy Neighbor” message will be echoed and shared across Ocean County from May 25 – 28, 2018, asking all to pray and work for peace in neighborhoods and on social media. OCPO has received commitments from countless Ocean County faith based leaders to promote this special message of tolerance and love at their many diverse places of worship across Ocean this holiday weekend. Below are two Google cloud links providing a taste of their message to be echoed across Ocean County this holiday weekend that media are encouraged to use in promoting effort.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Point Pleasant Police Chief Richard P. Larsen today announced the arrest of Salvatore Mattiaccio, Owner of Level and Square Construction and Remodeling, LLC located in the Borough of Point Pleasant. Mattiaccio was charged with Theft pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3, a third degree offense, for taking $40,000 from a woman and failing to return the money once she cancelled the home improvement contract within the three day cancellation period mandated by the New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor Registration Act.

OCPO Detective Stephen Shadiack of Economics Crimes Unit investigated the matter in coordination with the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs and Point Pleasant Police. Det. Shadiack learned that the woman became skeptical of Mattiaccio after signing a home improvement contract with him to raise her home due to a change in her flood zone post Hurricane Sandy. After reviewing the matter with her attorney, Edward Murachanian, she hand delivered a cancellation notice to the address of record for Level and Square Construction and Remodeling, LLC within the three-day cancellation period. The contract indicated that Level and Square Construction and Remodeling, LLC would return the deposit monies on a cancelled contract within 30 days of cancellation. The woman was unsuccessful in obtaining her $40,000 deposit from Mattiaccio.

On February 2, 2018 and in an unrelated matter, Mattiaccio was convicted of two counts for Violations of the Contractor Registration Act – Fourth Degree and was sentenced to probation.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation should contact Detective Stephen Shadiack at the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office (732) 929-2027, extension 2618. The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Today (5/31) just after 4 pm South Toms River PD responded to 29 Hummel Drive attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Henry Parker, 37, who resides at the above address. Parker was wanted on warrants out of three jurisdictions for both criminal and traffic charges.

As STR Officers arrived they observed Parker outside the residence and approached. Parker, seeing the arriving officers, immediately fled into the home and the officers followed. The officers lost sight of Parker as they entered and heard sounds coming from an adjacent room that raised concerns he may be trying to secure a weapon.

They pulled back out of the home and set up a perimeter covering all exits to prevent his escape. The OC Regional SWAT Team was called to assist. Upon their arrival the partnering agencies secured the area surrounding the home to assure the safety of the neighboring residents before attempting contact with Parker.

Members of the OC SWAT Team and negotiators outside the residence quickly began communicating with Parker. After over three hours of negotiations, Parker surrendered and was taken without incident at 7:50 pm. He will be taken after processing to an area hospital for Psychiatric evaluation and subsequently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a first appearance.

At this time he is preliminarily charged with Obstructing, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and those charges contained within the outstanding warrants. A search warrant will also be secured to determine if there are any weapons within the residence.

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced that Friday (6/1) PHILIP M. CAPUTO, 62, of Forked River pled guilty before Judge Therese A. Cunningham, J.S.C. to one count of Sexual Assault 2nd degree and one count of Attempted Sexual Assault 2nd degree for sexual contact upon two male juveniles under the ages of 13 dating back from 1997 and 1998. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman.

The guilty plea stems from an investigation by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Detective Alex Bromley and Lacey Township Police Department Detective Brian Flynn. The investigation began on December 21, 2015, when the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit was contacted by the first victim, a male, who alleged that Caputo sexually assaulted him in 1998 at the age of 12 on multiple occasions in Lacey Township and in Florida. In addition, as the investigation continued a second male victim alleged that Caputo attempted to sexually assault him from the age of 11 to 17. The investigation revealed each victim was known to Caputo at the time of the alleged offenses.

Caputo was arrested on 4/1/2016 by the partnering detectives at his 402 Musket Road residence on charges approved by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Terry Ann Linardakis. The Honorable Judge James M. Blaney set Caputo’s bail at that time at $200,000 cash and imposed no contact with the victims. He remains free on bail pending his sentencing that will be set after an Avenel evaluation.

NOTE: The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is encouraging any other victims to contact Det. Alexander Bromley of the Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit at 732-929-2027.

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