NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man was sentenced to 115 months in prison for his role in the knifepoint robbery of a Harrison taxi company, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Oct. 25. Alfuquan Turner, 46, was convicted at trial in June 2022 before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini of one count of Hobbs […]
NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced criminal charges on Oct. 26 against 42 defendants related to racketeering, violence, narcotics distribution and federal firearms offenses. The charges stem from five separate investigations conducted by federal, state and local enforcement partners. “Keeping New Jersey safe and reducing violent crime are core to this office’s […]
NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County jury has convicted Rashad Zeigler, 35, of Newark, of robbing and murdering Rahman Branch, 39, of Irvington, following a trial before Judge Patrick J. Arre, according to an Oct. 26 press release from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. After three days of deliberation, the jury found Zeigler guilty on […]
NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced on Oct. 27 that Christopher Smoaks, a senior correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, has been arrested and charged with bribery in official matters and conspiracy. Smoaks, 31, of Jersey City, allegedly received payment from an inmate’s relative in return […]
TRENTON, NJ — On Oct. 24, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced prison sentences for four men convicted in a narcotics trafficking ring that operated in a neighborhood near I-78 in Newark, where they sold drugs to motorists exiting the highway to make “drive-through” purchases of heroin. The illegal ring was dismantled as a result […]
NEWARK, NJ — Two East Orange men have been charged with the recent murder of Khalif Ligon, 29, of Newark, according to an Oct. 21 press release from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Jamaal Mahorn, 37, and Buddy Randolph, 40, both of East Orange, are charged with murdering Ligon. On Sept. 7 at 1:49 a.m., […]
ELIZABETH, NJ — An Essex County man has been charged with three armed robberies of pharmacies for oxycodone and other prescription medication in Elizabeth, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Oct. 21. Charles Johnson, 28, of Irvington, was charged by complaint with three counts of Hobbs Act robbery and three counts of using, carrying and […]
NEWARK, NJ — Eight people were charged for their respective roles in a heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution organization that sold large quantities of controlled substances in the area of Columbia and South Orange avenues in Newark, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Oct. 21. Zacqual Lancaster, Maurice Lee, Felix Lesperance, Rodger Busby, Marcellus […]
NEWARK, NJ — Kyree Jones, 20, of Hillside, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Kareem Kason Jeffers, 32, of Newark, according to an Oct. 22 press release from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. On Sept. 22, at 11:06 p.m., police responded to the 100 block of Miller Street in Newark on a […]
EAST ORANGE, NJ — The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of Carl Brown, 36, of Irvington, according to an Oct. 22 press release from the ECPO. On Friday, Oct. 21, at 5:50 p.m., Brown, who was suffering from gunshot wounds, was found on the 400 block of […]