Tag:

Witness Tampering

Armed Robber Gets 50 Years For Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car Armed Robber Gets 50 Years For Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car
Armed Robber Gets 50 Years For Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car A 37-year-old Somerset man was sentenced to 50 years in state prison on Friday, April 12, after being convicted of planning an armed robbery in Dec. 2021 that resulted in the victim being robbed of $100,000 worth of jewelry and cell phones at gunpoint, authorities said. On Dec. 4, 2021, Melvin Banks was scheduled to return a Mercedes S580 to the owner of a luxury car rental service in Riverdale at 9 p.m. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Riverdale Police Chief Charles Quant Jr. said. At 9:31 p.m.…
Hotel Torture: Lindenhurst Man Burned Women With Iron For Sleeping During Massage, Jury Finds Hotel Torture: Lindenhurst Man Burned Women With Iron For Sleeping During Massage, Jury Finds
Hotel Torture: Lindenhurst Man Burned Women With Iron For Sleeping During Massage, Jury Finds A Long Island jury convicted a man for subjecting two women to hours of torture that included beatings and burns with a hot iron. Johnathan Wright, age 34, of Lindenhurst, was found guilty of assault, witness tampering, and more than three dozen other charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, March 28. Prosecutors said Wright was staying at a Ronkonkoma hotel with two women, one of whom suffered from mental disabilities, on July 21, 2021. He became enraged when the women fell asleep while giving him a back massage. Wright choked and punched the victims in their faces and bodies and atte…
Armed Robber Convicted Of Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car In Riverdale Armed Robber Convicted Of Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car In Riverdale
Armed Robber Convicted Of Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car In Riverdale A 37-year-old Somerset man was convicted on Friday, Feb. 9 of planning an armed robbery in December 2021 that resulted in the victim being robbed of $100,000 worth of jewelry and cell phones at gunpoint.  On Dec. 4, 2021, Melvin Banks was scheduled to return a Mercedes S580 to the owner of a luxury car rental service in Riverdale at 9 p.m. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Riverdale Police Chief Charles Quant Jr. said. At 9:31 p.m., the owner was robbed at gunpoint by co-defendant …
Dover Man Convicted Of Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend: Prosecutors Dover Man Convicted Of Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend: Prosecutors
Dover Man Convicted Of Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend: Prosecutors A 37-year-old Dover man was found guilty on Friday, Feb. 2 of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Sept. 2021, authorities said. On Sept. 5, 2021, Jessie Meneses sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend in his vehicle in Randolph, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert M. McNally, Dover Chief of Police Jonathan Delaney, and Randolph Chief of Police Will Harzula said. Meneses confined her in the car, transporting her from Randolph through Victory Gardens and then to Dover, where she was able to escape and report her to police. For seve…
Camden Driver Charged In Fatal Hit-Run Crash In South Brunswick: Prosecutor Camden Driver Charged In Fatal Hit-Run Crash In South Brunswick: Prosecutor
Camden Driver Charged In Fatal Hit-Run Crash In South Brunswick: Prosecutor A 24-year-old man from Camden has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash, authorities said. Giovanni Gaines-Little also was charged Monday, Jan. 29, with obstruction, hindering, witness tampering and driving without a license, among other charges, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department  On Feb. 25, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m., police responded to the intersection of Route 130 and Route 32 following the report of a crash. Police found Ke…
Jail Officer From Egg Harbor City Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor Jail Officer From Egg Harbor City Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor
Jail Officer From Egg Harbor City Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor A sergeant at the Atlantic County Justice Facility is accused of hiding or destroying contraband taken from an inmate, prosecutors said. Fred Gilbert, 37, of Egg Harbor City is facing six charges related to an incident last year at the jail in Mays Landing, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10.  Gilbert is charged with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree witness tampering, fourth-degree obstruction, two counts of fourth-degree false reporting to law enforcement authorities, and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence. Prosecut…
Man Kills Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In Hamden: Here's His Sentence Man Kills Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In Hamden: Here's His Sentence
Man Kills Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In Hamden: Here's His Sentence An illegal firearms dealer will spend the rest of his life in prison for kidnapping and murdering two people in Connecticut before killing his accomplice to stop him from confessing to authorities.  North Carolina resident Edward Michael Parks of Raleigh, age 37, also known as "Lee" and "Trouble," was sentenced on Monday, Dec. 11 to three consecutive life sentences for killing two men in New Haven County and killing a third man to stop him from telling law enforcement about the murders, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report -&nbs…
'Special Kind Of Evil': Child Sex Trafficker From Colonie Gets 40 Years In Prison 'Special Kind Of Evil': Child Sex Trafficker From Colonie Gets 40 Years In Prison
'Special Kind Of Evil': Child Sex Trafficker From Colonie Gets 40 Years In Prison A convicted sex trafficker will spend decades in prison for forcing underage girls into prostitution. New York resident Christopher Thomas, age 40, of Colonie in Albany County, was sentenced to 40 years behind bars Monday, Oct. 30, in Albany federal court. According to prosecutors, Thomas coerced numerous vulnerable children and young women, some as young as 16, to engage in sex work for his financial benefit between 2018 and 2020. His crimes spanned New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. In March 2023, following a 5-day trial, jurors convicted Thomas of 16 counts, including s…
NJ High School Football Coach Told Juvenile To Lie After Finding Firearm In Car: Cops NJ High School Football Coach Told Juvenile To Lie After Finding Firearm In Car: Cops
NJ High School Football Coach Told Juvenile To Lie After Finding Firearm In Car: Cops A Rancocas Valley Regional High School assistant football coach who is also a teacher’s aide faces firearms charges after juveniles accessed an unsecured handgun in his personal vehicle during a football game at the school, authorities said. Andrew Paden, 40, of Willingboro, pressured one of the juveniles to provide false information to investigators, saying he was concerned he might lose his job, according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Mount Holly Township Police Chief Richard W. Spitler. Paden was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), …
Child, 3, Begged Dad Not To Sexually Assault Mom During Abduction From DC To Maryland: Feds Child, 3, Begged Dad Not To Sexually Assault Mom During Abduction From DC To Maryland: Feds
Child, 3, Begged Dad Not To Sexually Assault Mom During Abduction From DC To Maryland: Feds A terrifying ordeal seemingly ripped out of the pages of a horror movie will land a former District resident in prison for decades, authorities announced. On Wednesday, Sept. 27, a judge sentenced Kyrie Rashaud Thompson, 29, to 30 years in prison after terrorizing his 3-year-old child and the child's mother during a trip from Hell that played out in September 2019. It began on Sept. 22, 2019, when the mother of his child drove to his former DC home to drop off their 3-year-old child for a prearranged visit, prosecutors say. However, Thompson had more nefarious intentions in mind.  In…
Pair Sentenced In Drive-By Shooting In South Jersey Pair Sentenced In Drive-By Shooting In South Jersey
Pair Sentenced In Drive-By Shooting In South Jersey Two Atlantic City men were sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for their roles in a drive-by shooting, authorities said. Adresce Jones, 20, and Armaad Brooks-Chappelle, 21, were sentenced on charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of community guns, and related crimes, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. A third defendant, Quran Fenwick, 19, also of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty for his role in the drive-by shooting to charges of attempted murder and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose. Although Fenwick was a juvenile at the time of …
Fugitive Former Paramus Basketballer Turned Bail Reform Poster Boy Captured In Rockland Fugitive Former Paramus Basketballer Turned Bail Reform Poster Boy Captured In Rockland
Fugitive Former Paramus Basketballer Turned Bail Reform Poster Boy Captured In Rockland The increasingly violent criminal career of a former Paramus Catholic High School basketball player continued when he tried to carjack a woman in Park Ridge, then led police on a pursuit, authorities said. Police in the Rockland County town of Stony Point later captured Jordan Dufont, 23, after a foot chase, Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph Madden said on Thursday, Aug. 17. Dufont had only just been released on Aug. 3 after spending five weeks in the Bergen County Jail following another pursuit and a combative arrest off Route 17 in Paramus. Police in Park Ridge got a call this time shortly…
Point Pleasant Substitute Teacher Sent Nude Photos To Student: Prosecutor Point Pleasant Substitute Teacher Sent Nude Photos To Student: Prosecutor
Point Pleasant Substitute Teacher Sent Nude Photos To Student: Prosecutor A substitute teacher sent nude photos to a high school student in Ocean County, authorities said. Matthew Marinelli, 23, of Point Pleasant Borough, was charged with child endangerment and witness tampering in the case, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit determined that Marinelli — while employed as a substitute teacher at Point Pleasant Borough High School — sent nude photographs of himself and engaged in communications that were sexual in nature with a student in one of…
Murder-For-Hire Schemer Charged For Conspiracy To Take Out Witness In Baltimore: Feds Murder-For-Hire Schemer Charged For Conspiracy To Take Out Witness In Baltimore: Feds
Murder-For-Hire Schemer Charged For Conspiracy To Take Out Witness In Baltimore: Feds A federal grand jury has indicted a man implicated in a murder-for-hire conspiracy as he sought to take out a witness cooperating with law enforcement in Maryland. Baltimore resident Matthew Hightower, 41, is facing life in prison after being charged for his role in the murder of Latrina Ashburne in May 2016 before she was able to testify against him in a different case. According to the indictment, Hightower conspired to, and did kill Ashburne with the intent to retaliate against her for providing tips to investigators relating to the commission of a federal crime. Prosecutors say that t…
Voter Fraud: Rensselaer County Employees Cast Illegal Ballots During Election, Feds Say Voter Fraud: Rensselaer County Employees Cast Illegal Ballots During Election, Feds Say
Voter Fraud: Rensselaer County Employees Cast Illegal Ballots During Election, Feds Say Three county employees in New York are facing federal charges after allegedly casting fraudulent ballots during the 2021 election. Rensselaer County employees Richard Crist, age 55; James Gordon, age 42; and Leslie Wallace, age 35 were each arrested Thursday, April 27, on an indictment charging them with conspiring to violate the rights of voters, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District. Related Report: Rensselaer County Elections Commissioner Accused Of Voter Fraud Resigns Crist is the county’s director of operations, Gordon is the director of the Bureau for Ce…
NJ-Bred Fugees Founder Pras Michél Convicted In Federal Foreign-Influence Trial NJ-Bred Fugees Founder Pras Michél Convicted In Federal Foreign-Influence Trial
Nj-bred Fugees Founder Pras Michél Convicted In Federal Foreign-Influence Trial UPDATE: New Jersey-bred rapper and producer Pras Michél, best known as a founding member of the Fugees, was convicted by federal jurors in what the government called a "clandestine foreign influence campaign scheme." The Grammy-winning '90s hip-hop star was found guilty of 10 counts following an influence-peddling trial in Washington, DC, that featured high-profile witnesses such as Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Justice Department accused Michél, 50, of collecting millions of dollars from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho to launder money embezzled fro…
Mom Of NJ TikTok Cheer Coach Tampered With Son's Sex Assault Investigation: Police Mom Of NJ TikTok Cheer Coach Tampered With Son's Sex Assault Investigation: Police
Mom Of NJ TikTok Cheer Coach Tampered With Son's Sex Assault Investigation: Police A 25-year-old cheer coach accused of sexually assaulting the young athletes at his New Jersey gym apparently had help from mommy dearest amid the investigation, say police who recently arrested and charged the 51-year-old woman with infringing on the investigation. Angela Ryker, of Hammonton, faces charges of criminal attempt and witness tampering in the probe of her son and Rockstar Cheer coach, Jonathan Ryker, Medford Township police said. Ryker became the center of an investigation in August 2022, when authorities in Medford got a tip that he sent explicit content to a minor on social me…
Gift Cards-For-Votes Scheme Leads To Election Fraud Indictments: NJ Prosecutor Gift Cards-For-Votes Scheme Leads To Election Fraud Indictments: NJ Prosecutor
Gift Cards-For-Votes Scheme Leads To Election Fraud Indictments: NJ Prosecutor Three campaign workers for a Perth Amboy City Council candidate have been indicted for bribery, witness tampering and election law violations after offering gift cards to voters, authorities said. A detective reportedly posed as a voter to make the arrest, they said. A Middlesex County grand jury returned a seven-count indictment charging campaign workers Ana Camilo, 62, Annet Sanchez, 52, and Maria Peralta, 60, all of Perth Amboy, with various offenses stemming from their involvement in efforts to offer $20 ShopRite gift cards to voters in return for completed mail-in b…
NJ Man Had Help From Brother Hiding Ex's Body In Chemical Filled Trash Bags, Jury Finds NJ Man Had Help From Brother Hiding Ex's Body In Chemical Filled Trash Bags, Jury Finds
NJ Man Had Help From Brother Hiding Ex's Body In Chemical Filled Trash Bags, Jury Finds A Newark man was convicted of stalking and killing his ex-girlfriend in 2018 before trying to disintegrate her remains by keeping them in garbage bags filled with chemicals, authorities announced.  The man's brother was also convicted of trying to hide the body. A history of domestic violence including strangulation and aggravated assault led up to the harrowing moment Gualberto Lebron, now 37, killed Julia Vega, a mom of three, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said. During one incident, Vega escaped the apartment where her children were, and was chased outs…
Hartford Man Busted For Heroin, Fentanyl Possession, Having Stolen Gun Sentenced Hartford Man Busted For Heroin, Fentanyl Possession, Having Stolen Gun Sentenced
Hartford Man Busted For Heroin, Fentanyl Possession, Having Stolen Gun Sentenced A 33-year-old Hartford who admitted to having heroin, fentanyl, and a stolen pistol was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in federal prison on Monday, Jan. 23, authorities announced.  Robert Allen pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2020, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He must also serve three years of probation following his release.  Police pulled over Allen driving along Woodland Avenue in November 2019 and found a loaded .38 caliber Ruger and 48 wax paper sleev…
Man AKA 'Trouble' Killed Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In Hamden Man AKA 'Trouble' Killed Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In Hamden
Man AKA 'Trouble' Killed Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In Hamden An illegal firearms dealer who murdered two people in Hamden and then killed his accomplice to stop him from confessing to police has been found guilty by a federal jury. Earlier Report - Man Charged With Committing 3 Murders In Connecticut In 2015 Edward Michael Parks, also known as "Lee" and "Trouble," was found guilty on Thursday, Jan. 19 of killing the three men on Nov. 16, 2015, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  On the day of the murders, Parks, a 36-year-old Raleigh, North Carolina resident, was conducting an illegal sale of firearms in…
Worcester Financial Advisor Who Stole $2.8M Sentenced To More Than 8 Years: Feds Worcester Financial Advisor Who Stole $2.8M Sentenced To More Than 8 Years: Feds
Worcester Financial Advisor Who Stole $2.8M Sentenced To More Than 8 Years: Feds A Worcester-based financial adviser who admitted to stealing nearly $3 million from his clients will spend more than eight years behind bars, federal authorities said.  James Kenneth Couture, 42, of Sutton, pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of investment adviser fraud, and one count of witness tampering last year, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Along with the 100 months in prison, the judge sentenced Couture to pay back nearly $2 million in restitution to his victims and forfeit almost $3 million, the prosecuto…
Baltimore Rapper 'YGG Tay' Among Six Baltimore Gang Members Indicted For Federal Conspiracy Baltimore Rapper 'YGG Tay' Among Six Baltimore Gang Members Indicted For Federal Conspiracy
Baltimore Rapper 'YGG Tay' Among Six Baltimore Gang Members Indicted For Federal Conspiracy Baltimore rapper Davante Harrison was one of six alleged members of the Black Guerrilla Family (BGF) gang that is facing charges for their roles in a wide-reaching and elaborate federal racketeering conspiracy, authorities announced. Davante Harrison - also known as YGG Tay,” and “Lord Bip Bip,” 28, was named in an indictment this week charging six Baltimore men in a conspiracy that involved murder, murder-for-hire, drug trafficking, and witness tampering. Others charged: David Warren - also known as “Meshawn” and LA Meshawn,” 30; Wayne Prince - also known as “Taz,” age 23; Joshua Duffy …
Correction Officer From Cortlandt Manor Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records Correction Officer From Cortlandt Manor Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records
Correction Officer From Cortlandt Manor Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records A correction officer from Northern Westchester is charged with assaulting an inmate of the Dutchess County prison he once worked at and falsifying the records of the incident.  The assault happened on May 28, 2020, when 32-year-old Cortlandt Manor resident Taj Everly assaulted an inmate at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, according to an announcement by US Attorney Damian Williams from Thursday, Dec. 15.  On the day of the incident, Everly allegedly hit the inmate without provocation as he exited a room in the prison, causing both men to fall. Afterward, Everl…
Camden County Man Sentenced For Choking A Woman: Prosecutor Camden County Man Sentenced For Choking A Woman: Prosecutor
Camden County Man Sentenced For Choking A Woman: Prosecutor A 51-year-old Camden County man was sentenced to 13 years in New Jersey State prison for choking a woman and other charges, authorities said. Larry McMillan of Sicklerville had been found guilty of aggravated assault on a domestic violence victim and tampering with a witness, among multiple other charges, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The charges stem from an incident on Nov.12, 2019, in Camden City, when McMillan assaulted and choked the victim, the prosecutor said. McMillan attempted to tamper with the victim in an effort to have her recant prior statements mad…
Cyberstalking Army Vet In Virginia Pressured Ex-Lovers, Officials Say Cyberstalking Army Vet In Virginia Pressured Ex-Lovers, Officials Say
Cyberstalking Army Vet In Virginia Pressured Ex-Lovers, Officials Say A former Army officer in Virginia has been indicted for alleged cyberstalking, witness tampering, and lying to multiple federal agencies about destroying important federal materials, authorities announced. Manfredo Madrigal, 36, a former attorney and Army Officer assigned to the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (JAG School) has been indicted by a grand jury on an eight-count indictment for various offenses. Specifically, Madrigal was charged with: Four counts of lying to multiple federal agencies; Witness tampering; Attempted witness tampering; Deletion…
Amityville Man Sentenced For 'Terrorizing Young Women, Coercing Them Into Commercial Sex Acts' Amityville Man Sentenced For 'Terrorizing Young Women, Coercing Them Into Commercial Sex Acts'
Amityville Man Sentenced For 'Terrorizing Young Women, Coercing Them Into Commercial Sex Acts' A New York man will spend decades behind bars for forcing women to engage in prostitution. Long Island resident Justin Rivera, age 32, of Amityville, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison Tuesday, Oct. 11, in US District Court in Manhattan. The sentence followed an eight-day jury trial in June 2021 in which he was convicted of conspiring to sex traffic two victims. Federal prosecutors said Rivera - also known as Denzel Rivera, Bangout, and Jackie Chan - conspired with others to coerce the young women to engage in commercial sex acts at an abandoned house in Bohemia in 2015. They di…
Edison Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show Extra Duty Assignments: Prosecutor Edison Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show Extra Duty Assignments: Prosecutor
Edison Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show Extra Duty Assignments: Prosecutor Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said. The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14. They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers. Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…
South Jersey Police Officer Acquitted On Misconduct Charge: Report South Jersey Police Officer Acquitted On Misconduct Charge: Report
South Jersey Police Officer Acquitted On Misconduct Charge: Report A South Jersey police officer was cleared of official misconduct in a jury trial accusing him of using his badge to collect a friend's $200 debt, NJ Advance Media reported. However, Deptford Police Sgt. Rudy Ruiz, 41, could face a retrial of one of seven charges against him, the outlet said. The jury was stuck in a deadlock on a single charge of official misconduct. Jurors also found Ruiz not guilty of witness tampering, the outlet said. Meanwhile, Ruiz stated in a 2020 lawsuit that he was only charged as a retaliation effort by other officers after he complained about another police serge…
4 Indicted In Atlantic City Crackdown On Gang Violence 4 Indicted In Atlantic City Crackdown On Gang Violence
4 Indicted In Atlantic City Crackdown On Gang Violence Four Atlantic City residents have been indicted on attempted murder and witness tampering charges in connection with a gang-related shooting that occurred on Friday, Aug. 12, authorities said. An investigation found that Armaad Brooks-Chappell, 20, Adresce Jones, 19, and a juvenile male co-conspirator, utilized a stolen vehicle and multiple firearms to coordinate a planned attack on a 22-year-old victim from Atlantic City, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.  The defendants allegedly ambushed M.B., who was walking on the sidewalk and opened fire. M.B. was struck multi…
NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car
NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car A South Jersey woman will spend a year and a day in federal prison for trying to bribe the operator of an impound lot to break into a police-seized vehicle and steal a gun. Saidah "Sacha" Davis, 42, went to the home of a Camden tow lot operator along with ex-con Anthony "Papa Smurf" Parker after his vehicle was seized, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Detectives were waiting for a judge to approve a warrant to search the vehicle, which Davis said created a "problem" for Parker, who'd previously served time on weapons offenses, he said. Davis, of Woodlynne, offered $2,000 to the…