Category: CNB CRIME

Former Jersey City Official Charged with Stealing JCETP Funds

NEWARK, N.J. – The former acting executive director of the Jersey City Employment and Training Program (JCETP) has been charged with embezzling JCETP funds, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Sudhan M. Thomas, 44, (photo) of Jersey City, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with embezzling funds from an organization receiving federal funds. Thomas is expected to make his initial appearance on Jan. 9, 2020, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint:

Thomas served as JCETP’s acting executive director from January 2019 until his resignation in July 2019. JCETP is a nonprofit organization that operated to assist Jersey City residents to prepare for and enter the work force. JCETP received substantial amounts of its funding from federal grants from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Using his access to JCETP funds and control of JCETP’s bank accounts, from March 2019 through July 2019, Thomas embezzled more than $45,000 from JCETP. Thomas caused checks to be drawn from JCETP accounts that were made payable to others, but ultimately received by Thomas. He also embezzled JCETP funds by issuing JCETP checks made out to cash that Thomas either cashed himself or used to obtain bank checks that Thomas made payable to his entity, Next Glocal, which were deposited into a Next Glocal bank account that Thomas controlled. Thomas used the JCETP funds deposited to Next Glocal’s bank account to pay for his personal expenses, including payments to Thomas’s landlord in Jersey City and airfare and hotel expenses for a trip to Hawaii, and to fund transfers to Thomas’ family trust account.

The count of theft from an organization receiving federal funds carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Michael Mikulka; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Supervisory Special Agent Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tazneen Shahabuddin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee M. Cortes Jr., Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit, in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

20-003

Defense counsel: Christopher D. Adams Esq., Roseland, New Jersey

ICE: Philadelphia\’s Sanctuary City Title Puts Safety of Public at Risk

ICE arrests 17 criminal aliens on 5-day operation

PHILADELPHIA – Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement\’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia arrested 17 criminal aliens during a 5-day enforcement operation ending Dec. 13.

Five of the criminal aliens apprehended were previously released by the city of Philadelphia due to the sanctuary city policies. The crimes of these individuals ranged from multiple DUIs to possession and intent to distribute Heroin, as well as violating U.S. immigration law.

Arrests include:

A 33 years-old citizen of Ecuador, who has pending criminal charges for DUI and Endangering the Welfare of Children;

A 30 years-old citizen of Honduras, who has been convicted of three separate DUI offenses;

A 53 years-old citizen of the Dominican Republic, who has been convicted Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin;

A 20-year old citizen of Jamaica, who has multiple convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances and Carrying Firearms without a license;

A 38 years-old citizen of India, who has pending charges of Theft and Receiving Stolen Property

“During this operation, our officers were able to locate and apprehend more than a dozen individuals who have committed crimes in our country, while seeking sanctuary in our cities,” said ICE Philadelphia Field Office Director Simona Flores-Lund. “One-third of these individuals could have been off our streets earlier, however, the city of Philadelphia believes that allowing criminals and drug dealers to roam freely in their communities outweighs cooperating with federal law enforcement.”

ICE focuses its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. ICE deportation officers carry out targeted enforcement actions every day in locations around the country as part of the agency\’s ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety, and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls. These operations involve existing, established Fugitive Operations Teams.

About Detainers

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodges detainers on individuals who have been arrested on criminal charges and who ICE has probable cause to believe are removable aliens. The detainer asks the other law enforcement agency to notify ICE in advance of release and to maintain custody of the alien for a brief period of time so that ICE can take custody of that person in a safe and secure setting upon release from that agency’s custody.

When law enforcement agencies fail to honor immigration detainers and release serious criminal offenders onto the streets, it undermines ICE’s ability to protect public safety and carry out its mission. This negatively impacts public safety and ICE’s efficiency in the apprehension of criminal aliens. Federal immigration laws authorize DHS to issue detainers and provide ICE broad authority to detain removable aliens.

Congress has established no process, requirement, or expectation directing ICE to seek a judicial warrant from already overburdened federal courts before taking custody of an alien on civil immigration violations. This idea is simply a figment created by those who wish to undermine immigration enforcement and excuse the ill-conceived practices of sanctuary jurisdictions that put politics before public safety.

Sanctuary Policies Put Public Safety at Risk

When law enforcement agencies don’t honor ICE detainers, these individuals, who often have significant criminal histories, are released onto the street, presenting a potential public safety threat.

Any local jurisdiction thinking that refusing to cooperate with ICE will result in a decrease in local immigration enforcement is mistaken. Local jurisdictions that choose to not cooperate with ICE are likely to see an increase in ICE enforcement activity, as ICE the agency has no choice but to conduct more at-large arrest operations. A consequence of ICE being forced to make more arrests on the streets is the agency is likely to encounter other unlawfully present foreign nationals that wouldn’t have been encountered had we been allowed to take custody of a criminal target within the confines of a local jail.

Additionally, once these criminals are out on the street, confirming their whereabouts is often time consuming and resource intensive. Many of our arrest targets are seasoned criminals who are savvy about eluding law enforcement.

Gloucester Township Police Use PepperBalls to Arrest Armed Man

SICKLERVILLE, NJ –On Thursday January 2, 2020 the Gloucester Township Police Department responded to a home on the 30 block of Santalina Drive in Sicklerville, NJ 08081 to attempt a warrant service on a Mehal Rockefeller. Mr. Rockefeller was observed in the back yard of the property when officers

began to approach he fled into the home.

At this time a command post was established and phone contact was attempted with Mr. Rockefeller by members of our Investigations Bureau and Crisis Negotiation Team. There were numerous phone conversations with Mr. Rockefeller by phone who refused to come outside. In between the phone conversations Mr. Rockefeller had contacted a local police department and threatened to kill officers if they came into the house. Mr. Rockefeller told officers he was armed with a knife and would exit the home. Mr. Rockefeller then repeatedly exited and entered the home holding a knife in his hand while ignoring officers. He was given commands to drop the knife but Mr. Rockefeller refused to comply. An officer with a less lethal Pepperball Launching System was able to deploy several pepperball projectiles causing Mr. Rockefeller to immediately drop the knife allowing officers to approach and safely take him into custody.

There were no injuries to the suspect or any police officer.

Mehal Rockefeller was charged with Hindering Apprehension (DP Offense), Resisting Arrest (4th Degree), Possession of a Weapon (4th Degree), Possession of a Weapon For Unlawful Purpose (3rd Degree), Terroristic Threats (3rd Degree). He was remanded to the Camden County Corrections Facility pending a Central First Appearance in accordance with the New Jersey Criminal Justice Reform Act.

Arrested: Mehal Rockefeller 37 year old male. 30 Block Santalina Drive Sicklerville, NJ 08081

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec.16-29

Reminder for the week: Renew your boat registration and purchase your 2020 fishing license

DOVER (Jan. 3, 2020) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 16-29 made 1,459 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 48 citations. Officers responded to 58 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

On Dec. 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Daniel L. Wilson, 40, of Dover, for one count of theft under $1,500 following an investigation into theft of a trail camera near Little Creek. Wilson was arraigned through Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance, pending a future court appearance.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation:

Hunting migratory waterfowl before/after established shooting hours (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1), hunting migratory waterfowl with illegal toxic shot (1), hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait (9), possession of unlawfully taken game – Canada geese (3), possession of over the limit Canada geese (1), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), and trespass to hunt (1).

Fisheries Conservation:

Unlicensed fishing (1) and trespass to fish (2).

Boating & Boating Safety:

Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), no navigation lights (1), and no boating safety certificate in possession (2).

Public Safety:

Striking an occupied dwelling with shot discharged from a firearm (1), possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vessel (2), operating a motor vehicle at unreasonable speed (1), passing on a shoulder (1), possession of marijuana – civil (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Other:

Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*, trespassing in a closed area on Division lands (2)*, target shooting on a state wildlife area (2)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (3), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), and theft under $1,500 (1).

*

Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The Public are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to

http://de.gov/ogt

, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

Boaters

– Delaware boat registrations expired Dec. 31, and must be renewed before taking boats out on the water in 2020. Boat owners can register their boats or renew their registrations online, through DNREC’s boat registration office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or through private boat registration agents statewide. To find a participating agent or to register your boat online, visit

Delaware Boat Registration Information

. For additional information on boat registration, call 302-739-9916.

Anglers

– It’s time to purchase your 2020 Delaware fishing licenses, as 2019 licenses expired Dec. 31. A valid fishing license is required by most individuals for fishing, crabbing, and clamming in Delaware in both tidal and non-tidal waters. Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at DNREC’s licensing desk at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by private license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit

Delaware licenses

. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

Owner of Shamrock Deli Stabbed to Death; Suspect Still At Large (see photo)

HADDON TOWNSHIP NJ (January 4, 2020Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Haddon Township Police Chief Mark Cavallo reported a homicide in Haddon Township on Friday, January 3, 2020.

Oaklyn, Audubon and Haddon Township Police responded to the Shamrock Delicatessen, located on South Davis Avenue in Audubon, at approximately 4:50 p.m., after receiving multiple reports of a male who had been stabbed. When officers arrived, they located the victim, Jerome Pastore, 52, of West Berlin, across the street from the Shamrock Delicatessen on the 100 block of Cuthbert Boulevard, suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Mr. Pastore, the owner of the Shamrock Delicatessen, was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 5:07 p.m.

No arrests have yet been made.  However, the investigation into the stabbing is ongoing.  Detectives are requesting information from anyone who recognizes the individual in the attached photo.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jeremy Jankowski at (856) 580-5950 or Haddon Township Police Detective Jessica Camacho at (856) 833-6210.

Information may also be emailed to

ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org

.

WINSLOW PD: Have You Hired A & C Cleaning Service? Have You Had Dealings with Casey Spila?

Casey Spila

WINSLOW, TOWNSHIP (January 4, 2020)–Wednesday, December 30, 2019 members of the Winslow Twp Detective Bureau conducted an undercover operation into the sales of stolen sports memorabilia, in excess of $1,000. The items were recently reported stolen during a burglary that occurred in the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township. During that operation Casey Spila of the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township met to sell stolen merchandise to Winslow Township undercover officers .

December 30, Spila was arrested and charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, and theft and released on a summons in accordance with NJ Bail Reform.

During that investigation it was learned that Spila runs A & C Cleaning Services, which she operates throughout the area.

Friday, January 3, 2020

, Spila was arrested again at the We Buy Gold store in Sicklerville, after she was found to be in possession of multiple pieces of stolen jewelry. The Winslow Township PD believes there are additional victims that are unaware that they have been the victim of burglary/theft. The police encourage anyone that has used Spila\’s services to check their valuables and if they believe they are a victim of theft, contact

Winslow Township Police Detective Brian Barrett at 609-567-0700 x1178, in an effort to identify some of the recovered property.

January 3, 2020

Spila was initially charged with receiving stolen property in Winslow Township with additional charges pending in other jurisdictions.

ICE Lodges Detainer against Mexican illegal Alien arrested in SC for Sexual Abuse of a Child

CHARLESTON, S.C. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) lodged an immigration detainer Tuesday against an unlawfully present Mexican man arrested in North Charleston earlier this month

for sexual abuse of a child.

Carlos Bartolo-Rios was arrested December 19 by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, of which ICE and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office are members, after executing a state criminal warrant at Bartolo-Rios’s North Charleston residence for first degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Mr. Bartolo-Rios is currently being held by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office while awaiting trial for the state criminal charges he faces. ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against Mr. Bartolo-Rios and will seek to take him into immigration custody for removal proceedings at whatever point he may be released from criminal custody for the crimes he faces in South Carolina.

“This case is an excellent example of ICE’s ongoing focus to prioritize its immigration enforcement efforts toward unlawfully present foreign nationals who pose a clear threat to public safety,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Atlanta Acting Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “Despite attempts by some to confuse the public, ICE does not conduct any type of random or indiscriminate enforcement and the agency’s targeted enforcement efforts make communities safer for all persons whatever their immigration status may be.”

In fiscal year 2019, more than 90 percent of all persons arrested by ICE within the Atlanta field office, which includes Georgia and the Carolinas, either had a criminal conviction, a pending criminal charge, or were already subject to a removal order issued by a federal immigration judge.

Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE tip line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s

online tip form

.

ICE is focused on the arrest and removal of public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.

Bomb Threat at Voorhees Middle School

VOORHEES TWP. NJ (January 2, 2020:

On Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 at approximately 11:09 am, Voorhees Police was made aware of a bomb threat at the Voorhees Middle School on Holly Oak Drive.

Voorhees Police coordinated with school personnel to evacuate students and staff. K9 teams from the Camden County Sheriff’s Department and surrounding jurisdictions were used to assist with a search of the school, which was subsequently rendered safe. The on-scene investigation was turned over to Detectives from our Criminal Investigation Bureau.

If you have any information to report, please contact Voorhees Police at 856-428-5400 or use our tip line at

media@vtpd.com

.

Murphy Comments on Minimum Wage Hike

Rise in Minimum Wage to $11/Hour Directly Benefits Nearly 200,000 New Jerseyans

TRENTON

– Governor Phil Murphy welcomed New Jersey’s second statewide minimum wage increase from $10 to $11 per hour, taking effect today, January 1, 2020. The increase is part of a gradual increase in the minimum wage to $15/hour under legislation signed by Governor Murphy in February 2019. When Governor Murphy took office in 2018, the State’s minimum

wage was $8.60 per hour.

CNBNews graphic files

“New Jerseyans working full-time deserve fair, livable wages,”

said Governor Murphy

. “With our second statewide minimum wage increase, we are following through on our commitment to give more workers the opportunity to join the middle class, which will strengthen our economy over the long-term.”

“Paying workers a fair wage for their work promotes economic and employment stability, and gives lower wage earners a chance to achieve economic independence”

said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo

. “It helps both employers and employees to have a workforce that feels adequately compensated and able to afford basic necessities such as rent, groceries, and electricity.”

“This is the next step in my continued fight to elevate New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15 an hour with a multi-step plan that puts more take-home-pay into the hands of working people and more money into the state’s economy,”

said Senate President Steve Sweeney

, who authored the prior laws that increased the minimum wage as well as the constitutional amendment requiring cost-of-living increases. “Increasing the pay of minimum wage workers is not only the right thing to do, it is a smart way to fuel economic growth and productivity. Steady increases will provide greater economic fairness for minimum wage workers, helping to improve their standard of living and their quality of life so they can better support themselves and their families. This is also a step forward in bridging the wealth gap as we strive to build a high-wage economy that respects the dignity of each and every worker.”

“With the new year comes a new minimum wage in New Jersey as we increase it to $11-an-hour,”

said Speaker Craig Coughlin

. “Too many workers aren’t earning enough to make ends meet, but, that is changing for New Jersey residents and future generations, as we continue to gradually raise the minimum wage and help alleviate poverty across our great state.”

Currently, approximately 192,000 workers in New Jersey make between $10 and $10.99 per hour, according to U.S. Census Bureau Monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) data, and will therefore directly benefit from the increase.

Seasonal and small employers were given a longer timeline under the law to reach $15 per hour in order to lessen the impact on their businesses. Agricultural and tipped workers are guided by separate minimum wage timetables.

As of January 1, 2020, seasonal employers and those with fewer than six workers must pay a minimum wage of $10.30 per hour.

To view the full minimum wage chart, click

here

.

Two Suspects Involved in Home Invasion in Gloucester Township; Home Owner Murdered

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP NJ –Rosealee Gomez, 36, of Franklinville, NJ, and Chamberlin Robinson, 41, of Vineland, NJ, were each charged in connection with a home invasion in Gloucester Township. Gomez was charged with one count of Felony Murder and Burglary, and Robinson was charged with one count of Murder, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins.

On October 23, 2019, at approximately 9:50 p.m., the Gloucester Township Police Department responded to reports of shots fired on Yorkshire Road in Gloucester Township. When officers arrived, they located the victim, Kevin Carter, 26, of Gloucester Township, on the ground suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Kevin Carter was killed during an alleged home invasion.

Rosalee Gomez was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) at her residence in Franklinville on December 31, 2019. She was remanded to the Camden County Jail pending a pretrial detention hearing. Chamberlin Robinson is currently being held in the Cumberland County Jail on an unrelated matter.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Authorities are still seeking additional information.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jeremy Jankowski at (856) 580-5950 or Gloucester Township Police Detective Scott Obermier at (856) 228-4500.

Information may also be emailed to

ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Released Thursday, January 2, 2020.