Defendant Found Guilty In Operating A Motor Vehicle During A Period Of License Suspension

Toms River, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced that on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, an Ocean County jury found defendant John M. Torres, 46, of Brick guilty of Operating a Motor Vehicle During a Period of License Suspension in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:40-26b, a fourth degree crime.

 

Point Pleasant Beach Sergeant Matthew Duffy testified before the Honorable James M. Blaney, J.S.C., and a jury, that while he was on routine patrol on December 14, 2011, he observed a blue Ford Econoline Van traveling on Arnold Avenue.  Sergeant Duffy conducted a computer check of defendant’s registration and learned that it had expired.  Sergeant Duffy also learned that the license plates attached to defendant’s blue Ford were registered to a black GMC.  Sergeant Duffy conducted a motor vehicle stop and advised Torres of his reasons for the stop.  The defendant admitted he was driving while suspended and with fictitious plates.  As a result, defendant was issued motor vehicle tickets for driving while suspended, fictitious plates, failure to register and operating an uninsured vehicle.  Torres was taken into custody on outstanding warrants.

 

Upon a review of defendant’s certified driving abstract from the Motor Vehicle Commission, Sergeant Duffy learned that defendant had two prior convictions for Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI”) from 2004 and 2006.  Defendant’s license was suspended as a result of the 2006 DWI and his driving privileges were never restored.  This triggered a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:40-26b.  The statute became effective on August 1, 2011, and made it unlawful to drive while suspended for a second or subsequent conviction of DWI and stiffened the penalty for driving with a suspended license due to multiple prior DWI convictions.  Torres now faces a mandatory term of incarceration between 180 days and 18 months.   Torres was released on his own recognizance pending his sentencing scheduled for June 27, 2014.

 

Assistant Prosecutor Jamie L. Schron prosecuted the case. She was assisted by Detective John Doran from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.  Torres was represented by Meghan Nayak, Esquire.

 

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