Tag: Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
Murder-For-Hire Plot Targeting NJ Prosecutor, Judges: PA Bowling Alley Owner Convicted
A Pennsylvania man has been convicted of conspiring to kill multiple New Jersey government officials in a murder-for-hire plot, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Stephen Smink, 62, of Philadelphia, was found guilty on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, of conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to transport weapons, and transporting weapons after a trial in Atlantic County.
Smink targeted Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, First Assistant Prosecutor Harold Shapiro, two Superior Court judges, and an assistant p…
2nd Arrest Made After Howell Man Found Shot Dead In Parked Car: Prosecutor
A 47-year-old Ocean County man has been arrested charged with the fatal shooting of a Howell man, authorities announced Thursday, Aug. 7.
Salvador Cabellos Diaz is charged with murder in the first degree and multiple weapons offenses, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.
On Thursday, June 5 at 6:45 a.m., Howell police responded to White Street and found Rolando Acte Mejia inside a parked car, dead from two gunshot wounds, Santiago said.
Juan Jesus Mejia Yanza, a 33-year-old Howell resident, was arrested in June and remains in custody, Santiago said.
Diaz remains in custo…
TikTok In Shock After Star Shot Dead In Long Branch Moments After Final Video
A popular TikTok star was shot and killed Thursday night, June 12, on the beach in Long Branch — just hours after posting what would become his final video.
Chrystopher Whyte, of North Brunswick, was found with a single gunshot wound near the shoreline by Pier Village shortly before 9 p.m., NJ Advance says, citing a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Whyte, who had more than 92,800 followers on TikTok, was known for his infectious energy — dancing in his car and surprising fans with backflips. His last video, in which he's sitting …
Arrest Made In West Long Branch Bank Robbery: Prosecutor
A man who passed a note to a bank teller and left with hundreds of dollars in cash has been arrested, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said on Saturday, June 7.
Michael Miranda, 48, of Asbury Park, was charged with one count of second-degree robbery in connection with a holdup at the TD Bank on Parker Road in West Long Branch.
The incident happened on Monday, June 2, 2025, around 8:46 a.m., according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police say Miranda entered the bank and “passed a note to the teller demanding money.” No weapon was shown, and Miranda “took the note…
Asbury Park Man Who Lured, Kidnapped 11-Year-Old Girl Learns Fate: Prosecutor
An Asbury Park man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday, May 28 after being previously convicted of luring and kidnapping an 11-year-old girl off the street in May 2023, authorities said.
On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Raquan Folk approached an 11-year-old girl walking on Ridge Avenue in Asbury Park shortly before 5:30 p.m. and persuaded her to get into his vehicle, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond. Santiago said.
Folk drove the girl to Neptune Township and stopped the car, where he told her to disrobe, Santiago said. The girl asked to use a bathroom and then ran from the vehicle, …
Ex-Motorcycle Shop Manager From Toms River Steals $27K From Employer: Prosecutor
A former general manager at a Monmouth County motorcycle dealership has been charged with stealing more than $27,000 from her employer, authorities announced.
Chelsea A. Marra-Kaufmann, 36, of Toms River, received three extra paychecks in late 2022—nearly $6,000 in total—without approval, and never reported the overpayment, Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Friday, May 2.
Investigators also allege she bounced a $3,300 check for a motorcycle and disguised it as bank fees, according to officials. In another case in 2023, she allegedly skipped an $18,000 deposit and used internal t…
Mother, Daughter ID'd In Trenton Fatal Double Shooting: Prosecutor
Malika Whitting, 40 and Jairah Biggs, 13, have been identified as the mother and daughter found fatally shot in a Trenton home on Saturday, April 12, authorities said.
RIP Malika Whiting love you .you didn't deserve this you my favorite cousin and we talk we cry and we laugh together... Posted by Jasminda Villoch on Saturday, April 12, 2025
At 10:30 a.m., Trenton police responded to the 300 block of West State Street and found Biggs in a third-floor bedroom, and Whitting shot in a stairwell leading upstairs, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said. Both were pronounced dead at t…
Marlboro Man Who Sexually, Physically Abused Daughter Learns Fate: Prosecutor
A 51-year-old Marlboro Township man was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday, Feb. 28, for sexually and physically abusing his own daughter over the course of more than six years, authorities said.
Andrey Penkin was convicted of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, last September, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago
Penkin began abusing his daughter in 2016, when the family lived in Sayreville, Santiago said. Numerous incidents of sexual abuse followed, both in Sayreville and at their next two residences, in East Brunswick …
Middletown Man Who Stabbed Relative In Neck Learns Fate: Monmouth County Prosecutor
A 38-year-old Middletown man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday, Feb. 20, after he stabbed a relative in the neck in 2023, authorities said.
Timothy Sauers had previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder in January, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Middletown Township Police responded to a residence on Hillside Street and found the victim with a single stab wound to the neck, authorities said. The victim was transported to a local hospital for her injury, along with another resident, who stepped in to stop the attack, author…
