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Brick

BRICK DEATH INVESTIGATION

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE)

On Friday August 4, 2017 at 9:00 am, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit was dispatched to Ocean Medical Center in Brick to conduct a death investigation.  OCPO Det. John Carroll met with members of the Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department (CSI) upon his arrival.

He was advised that Brick Police were dispatched to the hospital following a call from Emergency Room staff who advised that a 19 year old male, alter identified as Austin Siler of Kettering, Ohio was transported to the hospital by friends.  Hospital Staff attempted life saving measures with no success and Siler was pronounced dead at 8:21 am.

The body of the decedent was transported to Community Medical Center where a post mortem examination was to be conducted.  The investigation is ongoing at this time by the partnering agencies identified above pending the ME full report to include toxicology findings.  There is no evidence to suggest that the decedent’s death is connected to any criminal activity.

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OCPO Pill Burn 3

OCPO MAKES ANOTHER RECORD PILL BURN RUN YIELDING 4,460 LBS. OF PRESCRIPTION/DRUGS DESTROYED

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

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 Thursday (8/3) OCPO broke the previous pill burn record of 3,280 lbs. by supervising the safe disposal of 4,460 lbs. (equivalent of 2 tons) of unused prescription meds.  Since the programs start in the summer of 2014, Twenty Six Thousand Eight Hundred Forty (26,840) pounds of various medicines have been destroyed between October 3, 2014 and August 3, 2017.  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

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “The over 26,000 lbs. of unused prescription medications destroyed to date is nothing short of incredible.  It is frightening to think how many times unused medications may have ended up in the wrong hands or used illegally.  We implore Ocean County residents to police their medicine chests and purge unused meds to prevent potentially dangerous scenarios.  Forgotten pain killing medications lead to addiction, teens becoming unwitting drug dealers and children becoming poison victims just to name a few”.

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 Click Here  or go to oceancountyprosecutor.org

Program coordinator OCPO Lt. Cindy Boyd states, “When the boxes reach ceiling height it is time for a burn.”

Lt.Boyd has made the right call – the burn load barely clears the trucks rear door.

Just before lowering the burn door and destroying the latest load of unused meds

 

 

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BlueHart copy

OCPO HEROIN TREATMENT PROGRAM TO HELP THOSE FIGHTING ADDICTION SPREADS ACROSS OCEAN COUNTY

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the “Blue Harp” (Heroin Addiction Response Program) continues to grow in Ocean County by adding two additional partners to the participating police departments.  Lacey Township Police Chief Michael DiBella, and Ocean Gate Police Officer in Charge Lt. Michael Kuchta have successfully prepared their departments to join Stafford Township, Brick Township and Manchester Township Police in providing critical addiction recovery help.

The “Blue HART” program, which initially began on January 9, 2017 under the name HARP was the first of its kind law enforcement addiction help program.  The program allows substance abusers to turn themselves and their product in at any of the five (5) participating police headquarters in order to go to addiction services providers for treatment evaluation without any threat of charges or jail.

On Monday (8/7), Ocean Gate PD will join this innovative initiative and Lacey Township PD, which quietly began their program in mid-June to fine tune their operation, will officially declare their participation in the effort by collaborating with Ocean Mental Health in Manahawkin and Bayville.  Presently, Stafford PD is already aligned with Ocean Mental Health, Brick PD is partnered with Preferred Behavioral Health in Lakewood and Manchester PD works with Integrity House in Toms River.  The expansion of the program now makes help available at Ocean Gate and Lacey PDs on Monday, Stafford PD on Tuesday, Manchester PD on Wednesday or Brick PD on Thursday for those seeking immediate critical help in fighting drug addiction.

Blue HART is designed to go beyond OCPO’s initial proactive Narcan and Recovery Coach Program measures to offer substantial diversion help in order to reduce the impact of heroin and opiate abuse in our community.  The premise of the program is simple – any person who voluntarily enters the three participating agencies and requests help with addiction to heroin or opiates, or any substance, shall be immediately screened for potential participation in the program.  Though the program is primarily designed to apply to persons who present themselves at the station, an officer who encounters a person outside the police station believing they would benefit from Blue HART has the  discretion,  based  upon their training and experience, to the bring an individual to the police station if the person consents to the voluntary screening process.  The officer/shift supervisor, upon completion of the Blue HART screening process shall provide transportation for the participant to the designated provider as soon as reasonably possible.

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “I applaud the participating police department’s proactive efforts and eagerness to help those in their communities fight this tragic epidemic.  Since January, “Blue HART” has helped over 200 individuals to successfully fight the curse of addiction.  I cannot thank enough Behavioral Health, Integrity House and Ocean Mental Health for their generous commitment to the people of Ocean County in making our vision a reality.  Our county leads the state in providing lifesaving options to those fighting and seeking addiction help.”

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jackson heroin delivery 8-2-17

OC Law Enforcement partner to stop heroin delivery

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

On Tuesday August 1, 2017, Jackson Police Detectives received information in reference to suspects who were reportedly going to be delivering a quantity of heroin to a location in Jackson Township. Information was also learned that one of the suspects may be armed.

At approximately 5:30 pm, working in conjunction with officers from the patrol division, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group (SOG), the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 and the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, a motor vehicle stop was conducted with a 2006 Lexus on Hyson Road near Jackson Mills Road and three suspects were taken into custody without incident.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of 50 decks of suspected heroin and the arrests of the three suspects in the vehicle. No firearms were located.

Arrested:
– Genuine Baines, age 18 of Trenton, NJ.
– Isaiah Porter, age 21 of Trenton, NJ.
– Lindsay Robson, age 28 of Mercerville, NJ.

All three suspects were charged with: possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. They were processed and lodged in the Ocean County Jail. The Lexus used was seized for potential forfeiture proceedings.

Photos courtesy the Ocean County Jail are attached. The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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IMG_2274

OCPO CYBER NET CONTINUES TO INTERDICT LOCAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHERS


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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the arrest today of Anthony Mauro, 45, of Beachwood for alleged Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Beachwood Police Department teamed up in this latest proactive operation to stop child exploitation.

The arrest is the result of proactive cyber monitoring by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit indicating someone within Ocean County had downloaded images of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. OCPO HTCU detectives initiated a month long investigation, which led to a search warrant being executed this morning by the partnering agencies at 537 Compass Avenue in Beachwood. The search and subsequent forensic examination of computers located within the residence revealed over 100 movies and images of child pornography.

As a result of the evidence located, OCPO Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman approved charges of one (1) count of 3rd Degree Possession of Child Pornography and one (1) count of 2nd Degree Distribution of Child Pornography. Mauro was taken into custody and lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a first appearance hearing.

Mauro is believed to be a volunteer Youth Team Leader for the Saint Barnabas Catholic Church in Bayville. At this time, the investigation has not developed any connection between the above criminal charges and his volunteer position. If anyone has any information or concerns regarding this case, please contact the OCPO HTCU Det. Kaitlin Mantle at 732 929-2027 Ext. 2740. All information will be treated completely confidential.

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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aug1takebackcover

PRESCRIPTION TAKE BACK DAY SCHEDULED FOR AUG 1 RESIDENTS URGED TO GET RID OF OUTDATED/UNUSED MEDICATIONS

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – Ocean County residents are encouraged to participate in the County’s second “Ocean County Prescription Take-Back Day” on Aug. 1 at the Ocean County Southern Service Center, 179 South Main St., here.

The program runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 1. The guest speaker will be Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, along with several other experts in the field dealing with the opioid crisis, who will provide valuable information, as well as a question and answer session. There will also be health screenings, information tables and refreshments.

“The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is making every effort to prevent pill abuse and theft by not just encouraging residents to get rid of old medications but also by providing a means to properly purge their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P, Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “Prosecutor Coronato is making an effort to reach out to all Ocean County residents by raising awareness and educating them on the hazards of unused and outdated medications.”

Ocean County residents are being encouraged to look through their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of all outdated and unused medications by bringing them to the Southern Service Center on Aug. 1.

“There are very serious health risks in taking prescription drugs,” Coronato said. “They need to be taken only under the care of a doctor and even then they have to be closely monitored to avoid addiction or other problems.”

Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, Chairman of Senior Services, encouraged seniors in particular to attend the Aug. 1 program to learn more about ridding their homes of potential hazards caused by old and unused prescriptions.

“Our seniors are often prescribed different medications for various illnesses,” Vicari said. “Having the right information on what to do with those medications once they have expired really can help during this critical time as we continue to address the opioid crisis.”

The Prescription Take-Back Initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.

For instance, if you flush prescription drugs or other medicines down the toilet or throw them in the trash, they pose a potential safety and health hazard to local waterways.

“The intent of this program is to not only protect the environment, but also to protect our society from improper use and distribution of prescription drugs,” Vicari said.

Coronato noted that medicines that are left or forgotten in our home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.  Various studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

“We encourage people to look through their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of all outdated and unused medications, to bring your pills for disposal to the Ocean County Southern Service Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 1,” Coronato said.

“This is a great event to come out to and bring your friends and neighbors,” Vicari said. “You can properly dispose of old medications, participate in health screenings by the Ocean County Health Department and get information on a host of topics.”

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has already collected a total of 22,380 pounds of various prescription/drugs that have been destroyed between October 3, 2014 and March 1, 2017. The Prescription Take Back Day also complements the ongoing programs run by many local police departments in Ocean County that are hosting medication drop off boxes.

For further information, please contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027 or your local Police Department.

“The effort to reduce and eventually eliminate the current opioid crisis is ongoing and widespread,” said Freeholder Kelly. “We encourage everyone to get involved. Even the simplest of steps can help make a difference.”

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John Dalton Jr

OCPO CYBER CHILD PORN NET SNARES ANOTHER OC MAN

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the arrest today (7/27) of John Dalton, Jr, 76, of Eagleswood on the charges of 3rd Degree Possession of Child Pornography and 2nd degree Distribution of Child Pornography. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU) and the New Jersey State Police Tuckerton Station teamed up in this latest proactive operation to stop child exploitation.

The arrest is the result of proactive cyber monitoring by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit indicating someone within Ocean County had downloaded images of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. HTCU detectives initiated a three (3) month long investigation, which led to a search warrant being executed by the partnering agencies at 108 Tanglewood Drive in Eagleswood, NJ. The search and subsequent forensic examination of computers located within the residence revealed several thousand videos and pornographic images of children engaged in sexual acts.

As a result of the evidence located, OCPO Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman approved charges of 1 count of 3nd Degree Possession of Child Pornography and 1 count of 2nd Degree Distribution of Child Pornography. Dalton was taken into custody and lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a first appearance hearing.

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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MICHAEL CHRIST WENK

SOCIAL MEDIA BAN LANDS OFFENDER IN JAIL

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office teamed with NJ State Department of Parole this week to arrest Michael Christ Wenk, 40, of Little Egg Harbor Township for violating the conditions of a court imposed parole supervision for life.  The arrest came as the result of a tip posted simultaneously to the state “Offender Watch” tip line and OCPO’s Facebook page.

Wenk was arrested Wednesday night (7/19) at his Little Egg Harbor Township residence by State Parole Officer Joseph Riaves, OCPO Megans Unit Detectives John Argento and Michael LePore.  His arrest was the result of the community tip and subsequent investigation by the partnering agencies showing Wenk’s use of social media in violation of his parole supervision for life. As per the conditions of his parole, he was immediately remanded to OCJ for the violation.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Megans Unit is one of the few county agencies to have state parole officers permanently on staff to prosecute and provide oversight of Megan’s Law offenders.  Anyone with relevant information concerning violations of Megan’s Law can contact OCPO’s Megan’s Unit at (732) 929-2027 Ext. 2903 or through the New Jersey State Police Offenders Watch Tip Line found at www.njsp.org.  All information may be given anonymously.

MICHAEL CHRIST WENK

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feature_7-18-17_r539

POLICING PARTNERSHIP RIDES AGAIN

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced his CR539 Safety/Enforcement Initiative partners will team up again to remind drivers to drive responsibly.  The detail will run from Thursday (7/20) to Sunday (8/6).

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “The CR539 detail has managed to raise significant awareness among the motoring public regarding the safety issues along CR539, but more important it led to coordinated efforts by Ocean County Law Enforcement, Ocean County Engineering and Road Departments to take important steps toward making commuting along CR539 safer.  Sadly, on September 17, 2016 a month after completing last year’s enforcement detail, three people lost their lives in a fatal crash on CR539 in Little Egg Harbor Township.”

Prosecutor Coronato continued, “With the increased summer traffic volume I don’t want to see a repeat of that tragedy.  The many partners involved in past efforts are being brought together again to serve as a visible reminder that the responsibility of driving safety never ends.  Though the coordinated enforcement element will conclude in August, policing agencies along CR539 will continue to make CR539 patrols a priority.  Now that the partnership logistics and plans have been worked out, the coordinated enforcement element can be quickly reinstituted in the event of increased reports of accidents or dangerous driving behaviors.”

The safety/enforcement initiative on CR 539 between Tuckerton and Plumsted Borough encompasses seven (7) municipal jurisdictions traversing 38 miles of roadway in Ocean County from Milepost 0 – 38.  The road crosses through the towns of Tuckerton, Little Egg Harbor, Stafford, Barnegat, Lacey, Manchester, Plumsted and Jackson.  This two-lane highway runs southeast to northwest through Ocean County and is frequently used by local seniors, commuters traveling to the Trenton area, tourists looking to vacation along the Jersey Shore and a large amount of commercial trucks.

The partnership is the result of extensive meetings called for by Prosecutor Coronato with local police chiefs, county officers/officials, NJ State Police and the Ocean County Road/Engineering Departments to address CR539 safety issues.  Beyond the enforcement element, the initiative includes Engineering and Education elements that will continue into the future.  The crafted initiative is a coordinated multi-jurisdictional/agency effort supported by the Chiefs of Police and Department Heads from the following jurisdictions/agencies:

  • Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Ocean County Sheriff’s Department
  • NJ State Police Troop “C” – Red Lion and Tuckerton Stations
  • NJ State Police Troop “C” – Tactical Patrol Unit
  • NJ State Police – Transportation Safety Bureau
  • Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders
  • Ocean County Road Department
  • Ocean County Engineering Department
  • Barnegat Police Department
  • Jackson Police Department
  • Lacey Police Department
  • Little Egg Harbor Police Department
  • Manchester Police Department
  • Plumsted Police Department
  • Stafford Police Department
  • Tuckerton Police Department

The enforcement element of the initiative will bring vigilant and aggressive enforcement of all those motor vehicle moving and equipment violations that are major contributory causes to crashes.  These causes include, but are not limited to, Improper Passing, Excessive Speed, Driving While Under the Influence, Aggressive Driving, Improper Turning, Failing to Yield, Inattentive Driving, Disregard of Traffic Signal, Following Too Close and various commercial carrier violations such as overweight, equipment maintenance and brake pressure.  Additionally as part of the enforcement efforts, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office personnel assigned to the detail will utilized unmarked police vehicles to report any aggressive and erratic driving to operating marked units, all policing agencies are encouraged to utilize patrol vehicles equipped with Automated License Plate Readers, and Variable Message Signs will be strategically placed along the roadway.

The engineering aspect of the initiative has to date completed many of the below proposed safety improvements:

  1. Rumble strips: Reduces centerline crossover motor vehicle accidents often caused by sleepy motorists or those traveling at excessive speeds.
  2. Raised pavement markers: These markers are fairly common on roadways today and are designed to increase nighttime visibility. They are typically placed along the center lines of a roadway and reflect the light from a motor vehicle’s headlights to outline the lanes of a highway in rural areas.
  3. All-weather reflective striping: Makes the lines on a roadway easier to see at night (like a cat’s eyes), particularly in bad weather conditions.
  4. Radar-activated LED (light-emitting diode) chevron signs placed in clusters at curves and will light up in a synchronous pattern when a motor vehicle approaches to outline the sharpness of the curve.
  5. High-friction road surface designed to prevent a vehicle from skidding when its driver attempts to stop suddenly from a high rate of speed.

The education element will also continue to include signage, media postings, radio public service announcements, awareness posters and coordinated social media postings by all the partnering agencies.  Prosecutor Coronato has directed all participating Chiefs to continue to be proactive in keeping media informed of crash stats and initiative developments.

We continue to ask the motoring public to police themselves by simply driving responsibly.

PROSECUTOR CORONATO TAKES A MOMENT ROADSIDE OF CR539.  TO THANK THE POLICING PARTNERS AND WISH THEM A SAFE PATROL

 

 

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Dimitri Darzhinov

GUILTY PLEA IN LAKEWOOD STABBING DEATH

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 oceancountyprosecutor.org.  Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected]

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced a guilty plea entered  yesterday (7/17) by Dimitri Darzhinov, 54, of Lakewood to Aggravated Manslaughter before Judge Wendel E. Daniels for the death of Gela Suqiashvilli, 54, on June 14, 2016 in Lakewood Twp.  His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for September 1st.  Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Biringer is the case prosecutor.  OCPO Det. John Murphy and Lakewood Police Detective Oscar Valmon handled the case investigation, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff Department CSI.  OCPO Victim Witness Advocate Allison Betts served as liaison to the victim’s family.

The guilty plea stems from a fatal stabbing that took place on Tuesday (6/14/2016).  On that date, at approximately 1:04 am, the Lakewood Police Department received a 911 call through the Howell Police Department in which the Russian speaking caller through language line reported that a stabbing had occurred at 149 East Kennedy Boulevard, Building 4, Apartment 7, in Lakewood, New Jersey.  The Lakewood Police Department subsequently dispatched Officers to the apartment who knocked on the door and received no response from inside.

Lakewood officers proceeded to check the apartment complex area and located Dimitri Darzhinov several doors down from apartment 149.  Dorzhinov spoke Russian to the Officers who located him.  The Officers utilized language line to communicate with him and learned that Darzhinov was involved in an altercation within apartment 149 with the occupant.

Lakewood Police Officers immediately responded back to the apartment and forced entry finding a victim, later identified as Gela Suqiashvilli, sitting on a chair unresponsive and suffering from multiple puncture and slash wounds to his upper torso and face.  Monoc Medic Unit 207 was immediately summoned to provide medical aid, however, Suqiashvilli was pronounced dead 1:48 am.  Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI were notified and responded to assist in the investigation.

As the crime scene was being processed, Dimitri Darzhinov was taken to the Lakewood Police Headquarters where OCPO Major Crimes Detective John Murphy and Lakewood Police Detective Oscar Valmon continued the investigation.  Lakewood Police Officer Tymur Zavalnyuk, who speaks Russian, was able to communicate with Darzhinov and provided translation assistance. The investigation found that Darzhinov and the victim began to wrestle, which escalated and resulted in the stabbing.  Darzhinov then made the 911 call reporting the stabbing after leaving the residence.

Dimitri Darzhinov

 

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