13 Defendants Indicted in Connection with Monmouth County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Two Defendants Charged with Unlawfully Possessing Firearms

TRENTON, N.J. – Thirteen defendants have been indicted for their roles as members, associates, and suppliers of a drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Monmouth County, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Damion Helmes, Dawn Stephens, Shantay Walker, Keith Logan, Shamar Dudley, Tonya Underwood, Elizabeth Conover, Curtis Jenkins, Ralph Lee, and Eric Yarbrough were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine. Additionally, Helmes, Stephens, Walker, Logan, Dudley, Underwood, Conover, Jenkins, Lee, Yarbrough, Derrick Hayes, Dequan Copeland, and Cassius Williams were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Helmes was also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hayes was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between April 2019 and August 2019, the defendants and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated primarily in municipalities throughout Monmouth County – including Cliffwood, Keansburg, Matawan, Keyport, Red Bank, Long Branch, Neptune, and Asbury Park, as well as Brick Township in Ocean County – and which sought to profit from the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement officers learned that defendant Helmes obtained regular supplies of cocaine from defendants Hayes and Copeland. Helmes then re-distributed that cocaine, portions of which he converted into crack cocaine, for profit, to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end users throughout Monmouth County. During the wiretap portion of the investigation, law enforcement intercepted numerous communications by and between the conspirators regarding such issues as cocaine quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity, and customer satisfaction.

The defendants were originally charged by complaint on Aug. 22, 2019. Dudley was previously charged by indictment.

The count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a ten-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, a five-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $5 million. The count charging Helmes with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count charging Helmes with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and must be served consecutive to the sentence imposed on the drug trafficking crime. The felon in possession counts against Helmes and Hayes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Each firearms count also carries a maximum fine equal to the greatest of $250,000, twice the gross amount of pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victim of the offense.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited Special Agents and Task Force Officers of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including representatives from the Bradley Beach, Brick, Howell, Toms River, Union Beach and Marlboro police departments, and the Monmouth County Sheriff\’s Office) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; the Red Bank Police Department, under the direction of Chief Darren McConnell; the Keansburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Pigott; the Middletown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Craig Weber; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni; the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Burton; the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Mioduszewski; and the Long Branch Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jason Roebuck, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Philadelphia CBP K9 Proves Practice Makes Perfect with Outbound Marijuana Seizure during Training

Release Date:

January , 2020

PHILADELPHIA

– Coaches always preach that practice makes perfect and that the more you train, the better you perform.

CBP narcotics K9 Dasha

This axiom was clearly on display Tuesday when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) narcotics detector dog team in Philadelphia discovered nearly 500 grams of marijuana being shipped from San Francisco to Barcelona, Spain while practice detection skills in an air cargo hangar.

K9 Dasha caught the marijuana scent in a postal parcel manifested as “Zoomingos Monkey with Banan” that was packaged in an outbound mail container. The CBP K9 officer opened the package and noticed a silver pouch that contained a single bag with 468.4 grams, or about one pound, of marijuana.

The CBP K9 team seized the marijuana, which has a street value of about $800.

“Customs and Border Protection officers remains steadfast in our commitment to disrupt narcotics smuggling attempts, and our highly-skilled narcotics detector dog teams are on the frontline of this effort,” said Casey Durst, CBP’s Director of Field Operations in Baltimore. “Illicit narcotics interdictions is one way in which CBP contributes to the safety and safety of our communities.”

Nearly 500 grams

of marijuana destined for

Barcelona, Spain.

CBP officers screen international travelers and cargo and search for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality.

CBP seized an average of 4,657 pounds of illicit narcotics every day during 2018 across the United States. Learn about what CBP accomplished during \”

A Typical Day

\” in 2018.

Learn more about CBP at

CBP.gov

.

NJ American Water to Spend $300,000 in Audubon to Improve Town\’s Infrastructure

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. – JAN. 10, 2020 –

New Jersey American Water

will replace approximately 1,300 feet of aging 4-inch water main in Audubon beginning next week. The company will upgrade the aging water lines, installed in the 1900s, with new, 8-inch ductile iron main along

Cedarcroft Avenue

from Mansion Avenue to Walnut Street. The project also includes replacing two fire hydrants and 40 utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route.

This $300,000 investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection in this community. This improvement is part of New Jersey American Water’s multimillion-dollar initiative to accelerate the

renewal of water infrastructure

that has reached the end of its useful life in more than 100 communities across the state.

New Jersey American Water’s local, qualified contractor, Pioneer Pipe Contractors, Inc., will begin work on or about January 16 and expects to finish by the end of March 2020, weather permitting. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work outside of these hours is not anticipated unless required to maintain project schedule. Final street restorations will be completed by Audubon Borough.

For the public’s and workers’ safety, traffic restrictions and/or alternating traffic patterns are likely to occur during work hours. All emergency vehicles and local traffic will be allowed access during construction. New Jersey American Water values the safety of its workers and advises drivers and pedestrians to take caution in the vicinity of work sites.

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. For more information, visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

and follow New Jersey American Water on

Twitter

and

Facebook

.

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit

amwater.com

and follow American Water on

Twitter

,

Facebook

and

LinkedIn

.

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Police Blotter: Dec. 30 – Jan. 5

Reminder for the week: Hunting guides require guide license

DOVER (Jan. 10, 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. 30 – Jan. 5 made 1,169 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 23 citations. Officers responded to 48 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 Jan. 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Zachary Dittmar, 35, of Felton, for one count each of hunting antlered deer during closed shotgun season, failure to purchase a hunter choice tag prior to killing an antlered deer, failure to tag antlered deer, and failure to consume or utilize game animal near Harrington. Dittmar was arraigned through Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 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 antlered deer during closed shotgun season (1), failure to purchase a hunter choice tag prior to killing an antlered deer (1), failure to tag antlered deer (1), failure to consume or utilize game animal (1), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), failure to tag antlerless deer (1), failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (1), providing hunting guide services without a guide license (1), trespass to hunt (1), and hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (1).

Boating & Boating Safety:

No fire extinguisher on board (1).

Public Safety:

Operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance (1), and possession of marijuana – civil (1).

Other:

Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4), trespassing after hours on a state forest (1), license forgery (1), operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1), andoperating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2).

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?

All individuals receiving a monetary fee or other compensation for providing personal hunting guide services to hunters are required to have a Delaware hunting guide license. Hunting guide license holders must be 18 years of age or older. Persons acquiring a hunting guide license must not have been convicted of any wildlife or fisheries violations within the last three years prior to applying for the license.

All persons possessing a Delaware hunting guide license are required to complete and submit an annual report to the Division within seven days after the close of the hunting season to include the following information, which must be readily available for inspection by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers: full name of each hunter; address of each hunter in the party; hunting license number for each hunter; date, number, and species of each animal harvested; location of hunts; and the name and license number of the guide. The guide must retain hunting field records for three years.

ETC Northeast Pipeline has been Issued a $30.6 Million Fine

By Dave Fidlin |

The Center Square

Jan, 2020

ETC Northeast Pipeline has been issued a $30.6 million fine for an explosion and fire that occurred nearly 16 months ago and resulted in widespread damage and contamination in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced that it was issuing the civic penalty as part of an agreement with ETC that will give the operator the ability to resume work and correct unlawful conduct.

The fine, described by state DEP officials as “historic” because of its sizable monetary amount, is linked to an incident that occurred Sept. 10, 2018, in Center Township in Beaver County. A landslide along ETC’s Revolution Pipeline resulted in portions of the pipeline separating, which caused gas to escape the infrastructure.

On the day of the incident, the gas ultimately ignited, which resulted in a fire that burned multiple acres of forested areas.

A single-family home, a barn and numerous vehicles within the impacted area were destroyed. Six high-voltage electric transmission towers also collapsed. There were no injuries or deaths reported from the incident.

In a statement, Patrick McDonnell, secretary of the state DEP, said the amount of the fine was reflective of ETC’s failure to comply with the agency’s regulations and lack of adequately monitoring the Revolution Pipeline while it was under construction.

“DEP is committed to holding permittees accountable for permit compliance and will continue to provide active and stringent oversight over the construction of their projects,” McDonnell said in the statement. “Permittees are obligated to ensure that their projects are constructed without incident and in full compliance with permits. If a permittee fails to do so, they will be held accountable.”

The state agency’s recent news release also revealed a subsequent investigation conducted after the pipeline fire and explosion revealed ETC had not stabilized the Revolution Pipeline in multiple areas during construction and “illegally impacted” streams and wetlands in its vicinity because of inadequate stormwater runoff.

ETC, an affiliate of Energy Transfer Partners, has agreed to a number of conditions moving forward, according to state environment officials, including a provision $28.6 million of the fine go toward funds devoted to clean water and a designated oil and gas program.

The earmarked funds, according to the DEP, will help fortify some of the state’s natural areas.

Officials with ETC have not issued a formal statement on the DEP’s ruling, and an attempt to reach Energy Transfer Partners for comment this week was unsuccessful.

Moving forward, DEP officials said they will be stringently monitoring ETC’s pipeline work to ensure terms and conditions in the agreement are satisfied.

“The conditions imposed by this agreement seek to ensure that ETC will get this right,” McDonell said in the statement. “Anything less is unacceptable.”

At least one organization, the Better Path Coalition, has gone on record in opposition to the DEP’s decision. The environmental advocacy group took aim at the ETC’s track record of monitoring compliance across the state.

“Pennsylvanians jaded by the Department of Environmental Protection’s poor track record for holding polluters to account will be unmoved by the agency’s historic fine on ETC,” according to the statement from Better Path Coalition. “Instead, they will shudder at the thought that the company will be able once again to get permits for its projects.”

published here with permission of The Center Squarei

NIAAA Study: Alcohol-related deaths increasing in the United States

An analysis of U.S. death certificate data by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National

Institutes of Health, found that nearly 1 million people died from alcohol-related causes between 1999 and 2017. The number of death certificates mentioning alcohol more than doubled from 35,914 in 1999 to 72,558 in 2017, the year in which alcohol played a role in 2.6% of all deaths in the United States. The increase in alcohol-related deaths is consistent with reports of increases in alcohol consumption and alcohol-involved emergency department visits and hospitalizations during the same period. The new findings are reported online in the journal

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

.

“Alcohol is not a benign substance and there are many ways it can contribute to mortality,” said NIAAA Director Dr. George F. Koob. “The current findings suggest that alcohol-related deaths involving injuries, overdoses, and chronic diseases are increasing across a wide swath of the population. The report is a wakeup call to the growing threat alcohol poses to public health.”

In the new study, Aaron White, Ph.D., senior scientific advisor to the NIAAA director, and colleagues analyzed data from all U.S. death certificates filed from 1999 to 2017.  A death was identified as alcohol-related if an alcohol-induced cause was listed as the underlying cause or as a contributing cause of death.  The researchers found that, in 2017, nearly half of alcohol-related deaths resulted from liver disease (31%; 22,245) or overdoses on alcohol alone or with other drugs (18%; 12,954). People aged 45-74 had the highest rates of deaths related to alcohol, but the biggest increases over time were among people age 25-34. High rates among middle-aged adults are consistent with recent reports of increases in “deaths of despair,” generally defined as deaths related to overdoses, alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis, and suicides, primarily among non-Hispanic whites. However, the authors report that, by the end of the study period, alcohol-related deaths were increasing among people in almost all age and racial and ethnic group.

As with increases in alcohol consumption and related medical emergencies, rates of death involving alcohol increased more for women (85%) than men (35%) over the study period, further narrowing once large differences in alcohol use and harms between males and females. The findings come at a time of growing evidence that even one drink per day of alcohol can contribute to an increase in the risk of breast cancer for women. Women also appear to be at a greater risk than men for alcohol-related cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, alcohol use disorder, and other consequences.

“Alcohol is a growing women’s health issue,” said Dr. Koob. “The rapid increase in deaths involving alcohol among women is troubling and parallels the increases in alcohol consumption among women over the past few decades.”

The authors note that previous studies have shown that the role of alcohol in deaths is vastly underreported. Since the present study examined death certificates only, the actual number of alcohol-related deaths in 2017 may far exceed the 72,558 determined by the authors.

“Taken together,” said Dr. Koob, “the findings of this study and others suggests that alcohol-related harms are increasing at multiple levels – from ED visits and hospitalizations to deaths. We know that the contribution of alcohol often fails to make it onto death certificates. Better surveillance of alcohol involvement in mortality is essential in order to better understand and address the impact of alcohol on public health.”

About the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA):

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, is the primary U.S. agency for conducting and supporting research on the causes, consequences, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use disorder. NIAAA also disseminates research findings to general, professional, and academic audiences. Additional alcohol research information and publications are available at

www.niaaa.nih.gov

.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

NIH, the nation\’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit

www.nih.gov

.

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health

®

Reference

Aaron White, PhD, I-Jen P. Castle, PhD, Ralph Hingson, ScD, Patricia Powell, PhD. Using death certificates to explore changes in alcohol-related mortality in the United States, 1999–2017

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Published online January 8, 2020.

Happenings and Events in Gloucester City and Surrounding Communities

The Neighbors United Designer Bag Bingo & Basket Auction

will be Saturday, February 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the Pine Grove Civic Association hall on Jersey Avenue, Gloucester City.

Bring family and friends for a great night out. Grab snacks and beverages. Complimentary desserts and coffee. Ice will be provided.

Tickets are $30 but are on sale for $25 through January 15. All bingo games will be regular bingo or four corners except for the two special games, which will be a pattern.

For information go to the Neighbors United Facebook page.

*****

The Borough of Westville would like to wish

residents a “Happy January,” and reminds everyone to register their pets.

Dog and cat registrations can be done at Borough Hall during working hours-Monday thru Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

******

The Gateway Regional High School Community

will sponsor an American Red Cross Blood Drive Friday, January 10, from 3 to 8 p.m., at the Health Rooms, 775 Tanyard Road, Woodbury Heights.

To schedule an appointment call 800-733-2767.

*****

Gloucester City and St. Mary’s Parish have announced

that the fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be Sunday afternoon, March 1.

*****

The Borough of Bellmawr has announced

has announced that the new Florence Korostynski Memorial Dog Park is now open.

The park is located at Bergen Avenue and Market Street and has plenty of open space and exercise structures for dogs to run and play.

The park is named for the late Mrs. Florence Korostynski, who served the residents of Bellmawr in the tax office and volunteered her time in many capacities on several committees. The annual 4th of July Baby Parade was created by Florence and was her most adoring commitment.

*****

The Gloucester City Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast

will be Saturday, January 18, at 9 a.m. in Elizabeth’s Ballroom.

There will be a full, hot buffet breakfast, an ecumenical Prayer Service and Mayor Dan Spencer’s “State of the City” address.

Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at any church in town or by calling the mayor’s office at 856-456-0079. All are welcome to attend.

*****

Gloucester Catholic High School

is gearing up for its 16th annual Maroon & Golds Basket Auction, which is slated for April 30. The fundraiser solely benefits GCHS students.

The auction success depends on the support of the school community and no gift or contribution is too small. All donations are asked to be made by the end of January.

Donations can be mailed to Gloucester Catholic Junior Senior High School, ℅ Heather Mondel, 33 Ridgeway Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Donations can be made through Sign Up Genius at www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C48AAA828A4F58-gloucester1.

To make a donation or for more information, reach out to Heather Mondel at

heathermondel@yahoo.com

.

*****

Mt. Ephraim Borough has a contingent of dedicated volunteers

working to trap, neuter/spay and return feral cats. They can always use more help. For animal lovers who would like to get involved – call the borough at 856-931-1546 and ask for Terry or email

boroclerk@mountephraim-nj.com

.

The TNR program is also in need of food and monetary donations, which can be dropped off at Borough Hall, 121 S. Black Horse Pike.

*****

Sanctuary choirs “makes” exciting sound

at the Gloucester City First Baptist Church, Sussex and Monmouth streets, Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Come and hear this beautiful music. Always welcoming new choir members. For information call 456-8526.

*****

The Gloucester City High School Class of 1965

will hold its 55th year reunion at The Kove in Audubon on Saturday, April 25. The cost will be $50 per person, including a buffet dinner and entertainment, and a cash bar will be available. A meet and greet will be held at The Tap Room in Haddon Township on Friday, April 24. Discounted rooms have been made available for Friday and/or Saturday night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill. For details please contact Frank Carrick at

fcarrick@comcast.net

or 856-241-9483,

*****

The VFW Post 9563 Hall

at 52 Essex Ave., Bellmawr, offers rentals for up to 120 people. It is ideal for weddings, birthday parties, showers, etc.

Call Jeff at 609-313-3135 or the post at 856-931-9724.

*****

The American Legion Post 72 Hall,

9 Railroad Avenue, Brooklawn, is available to rent for weddings, showers, birthday parties, etc. Call the post at 856-456-9847.

*****

The VFW Post 8714 Hall,

70 11th Street Avenue, Glendora is available to rent for weddings, birthday parties, etc. Call Bob Barker at 856-534-9381.

NOTE:  If you have an event you would like listed send it to CNBNews1@gmail.com

21-Year-Old Merchantville Man Murdered in Camden City

Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Camden County Police Chief Joseph Wysocki reported a homicide that occurred in Camden City on January 11, 2020.

The Camden County Police Department responded to the 500 block of Pfeifer Street for a ShotSpotter activation and reports of a possible shooting, at approximately

12:54 a.m. Officers located the victim, Michael Edwards, 21, Merchantville, lying unresponsive on the ground on the 400 block of Pfeifer Street. He was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Michael Edwards was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 2:10 a.m.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. As such, no further information is being released at this time. No arrests have been made yet.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Brad Redrow at

(856) 225-8643

or Camden County Police Detective Edward Gonzalez at

(856) 757-7042

.

Information may also be emailed to

ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org

Released Saturday, January 11, 2020.

Rutgers-Camden women win third straight game, 63-57

CAMDEN, N.J

(

Jan.

11

, 2020

) –

The

Rutgers University-Camden women’s

basketball team opened its game here Saturday with a seven-point run and went on to post a

63-57

victory over Rutgers University-Newark in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest.

The win was the third straight for the Scarlet Raptors, all coming in a six-day span during the week. They raised their record to 8-5 overall and 2-5 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Newark fell to 1-12 overall and 0-7 in the NJAC with its 11th straight loss.

Newark now leads the all-time series, 39-31.

Freshman guard/forward

Jalissa Pitts

scored the first five points of the game for the Scarlet Raptors and senior guard

Fatimah Williams

added the next field goal as Rutgers-Camden took a 7-0 lead. The Raptors led, 15-6, after on

e quarter and 30-18 at halftime, with Pitts notching all nine of her points during

the first 20 minutes and sophomore forward

Breanna Ettrick

scoring all seven of her points for the game.

The second-half production was carried by Williams, who notched 19 points to finish with a game-high 25, while junior guard

Shane Holmes

scored seven of her 10 points after the break. Holmes also finished with a game-high five assists, while sophomore forward

Tamara Johnson

added four assists.

Holmes added a career-high seven rebounds to lead the Scarlet Raptors, while Johnson, Williams and Pitts notched six apiece.

Rutgers-Newark received a big game from sophomore guard/forward Dorian Capurso, who notched a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Sophomore guard Syncere Lambert added nine points and senior center Comfort Akinbo added eight. Freshman forward Ebony Odom Barnes grabbed eight rebounds, helping the Scarlet Raiders hold a 42-38 edge off the boards.

Rutgers-Camden shot 21-for-56 from the floor (37.5 percent) and 18-for-29 (62.1) from the foul line. Rutgers-Newark was 19-for-50 (38.0) from the floor and 13-for-28 (46.4) from the line.

Newark made 21 turnovers and Camden had 15.

The Scarlet Raptors have another three-game week next week, beginning with a non-conference 7 p.m. game

Monday

at the University of Valley Forge.

Stingy Newark defense shuts down Camden men

CAMDEN, N.J

. (

Jan.

11

, 2020

) –

The

Rutgers University-Newark men’s basketball team entered Saturday’s New Jersey Athletic Conference contest coming off a

program-record defensive effort and the Scarlet Raiders didn’t hurt their nationally-ranked defensive ratings against Rutgers-Camden.

Newark held the Scarlet Raptors to 38 points as it defeated Rutgers-Camden, 59-38, to raise its record to 10-4 overall and 6-1 in the NJAC. The victory came only three days after the Scarlet Raiders shut down NJAC foe Montclair State University, 58-29, to set a program record for fewest points allowed.

Rutgers-Camden fell to 4-9 overall and 1-6 in the NJAC with its fourth straight loss.

Rutgers-Newark

, which entered the contest with the 10th-ranked defense in Division III,

has won

seven

of its last

eight

games against Rutgers-Camden, although the two teams split last season’s two-game series. Rutgers-Newark leads the all-time series, 5

3

-36.

The Scarlet Raptors held the lead only early in the game, scoring the first field goal on a layup by junior guard

Arian Azemi,

falling behind on a

trey by Newark senior guard Chase Barneys and then scoring the next four points to take a 6-3 lead. Newark countered with the next six points, taking the lead for good at 9-6 on a three-pointer by sophomore forward Jamir Patterson with seven minutes gone in the game. By halftime, the Scarlet Raiders held a 33-19 lead and they led by as many as 31 points (58-27) in the second half.

Barneys finished with a game-high 20 points, while Patterson canned 10 and added six rebounds for the Scarlet Raiders. Junior guard David Logan had a game-high four assists

and

added a team-high seven rebounds as Newark held a 41-27 advantage off the boards.

Azemi finished with 17 points for the Scarlet Raptors, including 13 in the second half. Sophomore guard

Keysean Simmon

d

s

led the Raptors in scoring during the first half, notching six of his eight points. Senior forward

Isaac Destin

collected game highs of eight rebounds and three blocked shots

.

Rutgers-Newark shot 21-for-53 from the floor (39.6 percent) and 8-for-15 (53.3) from the foul line, but the Scarlet Raiders also had nine treys (in 19 attempts), including four by Barneys.

Rutgers-Camden shot 14-for-43 (32.6) from the floor, including only 1-for-10 from three-point range. The Raptors went 9

for-13 (69.2) from the foul line.

Rutgers-Camden

plays another NJAC