Former Galloway Recreation Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft

MAYS LANDING – A former employee in the Galloway Township Recreation Department has pleaded guilty to a charge of third degree Theft, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Jennifer Diluzio pled guilty to an accusation of third degree Theft before Judge John R. Rauh on Thursday morning. Diluzio received probation, payment of restitution $6,957 and Forfeiture of Public Employment as a condition of the plea agreement.

DiLuzio was an employee for the Galloway Township Recreation Department and from March 2017 to June 2017, one of her duties was to process applications and collect fees for residents that were sending their children to the 2017 Township Summer Camp. During that time, DiLuzio stole nearly $7000 of those camper fees rather than deposit them into the proper fund as required by her duties.

Galloway Man & Woman Face Drug and Weapon Charges After Search Warrant on Home

MAYS LANDING – A Galloway man and woman are charged with multiple drug and weapons charges after the execution of a search warrant at their Galloway residence, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

On Thursday, October 26, 2017, members of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit along with members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlantic City RA, New Jersey State Police and Galloway Township Police Department, with assistance from Atlantic County SWAT, executed a court authorized search warrant at the residence of Louis Hilton, 50, and Julie Naia, 49.

Atlantic City Man Charged with Sexual Assault on Child

Santos Blanco

MAYS LANDING– An Atlantic City man is charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child in connection to incidents he committed against a juvenile victim during the course of several years, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

After a month long joint investigation with Detectives from the Pleasantville and Atlantic City Police Departments, detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested 41 year-old Santos Blanco on Tuesday September 19, 2017.

Blanco is charged with 2 counts of 1st degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, 2 counts of 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and 1 count of 3rd degree Endangering. The incidents of sexual assault occurred at Blanco’s residence in Atlantic City, as well as other locations. Investigation is currently ongoing with respect to other potential victims of Blanco.

Police Investigating Double Homicide in Buena Borough

Updated: Autopsies completed on homicide victims Damon Jones, 34, of Bridgeton and Talisa Colon, 23, of Vineland, show both victims died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Original Release
MAYS LANDING– Authorities are investigating a double homicide that occurred early Saturday morning in Buena Borough, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

A 911 call was received at the Buena Borough Police department at 1:19 a.m., on Saturday for a report of shots fired and information that someone may have been shot.

Officers from the Buena Borough Police Department arrived at 408 Wheat Road, Buena Borough, and inside a vehicle officers found a 34 year-old male and 23 year-old female who were both shot. The man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

Search Warrant Results in EHT Man Charged on Multiple Drug and Weapon Offenses

MAYS LANDING– An Egg Harbor Township man was charged with multiple drug charges, including drug manufacturing and weapons charges after the execution of a search warrant at an Egg Harbor Township hotel room, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

After the execution of a search warrant at a hotel room located at the Howard Johnson's Hotel, at 6817 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township on September 13, 2017.

Malik Smith, 25, was charged with the following:

Galloway Couple Charged with Assault on Toddler Daughter; Endangering and Drug Charges

MAYS LANDING- Following a month and a half long investigation by detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Galloway Township Police Department, a township couple was arrested Friday and charged in connection to the aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of their toddler daughter.

Friday morning detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Galloway Township Police Department arrested Yolanda Torres, 33 and Jose Velez, 52.

Torres was charged with second degree Aggravated Assault and two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Velez was charged with two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Upon his arrest, Velez was found to be in possession of Xanax pills and was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and possession with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

AtlantiCare Foundation Contributes $10,000 Towards Opiate Antidote Initiative

The AtlantiCare Foundation contributed $10,000 towards Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner’s directive for every patrol officer to be equipped with the lifesaving drug Naloxone. The funding will be used to cover the cost of replenishing the drug when it is depleted.

“We are grateful to AtlantiCare for their contribution to this very necessary initiative to save the lives of those who experience opiate overdose. By working with AtlantiCare, our police officers will be equipped with this opiate antidote and have the ability to save lives in Atlantic County,” Prosecutor Tyner said.

“We are in the middle of a public health crisis as it pertains to opioid addiction and drug related deaths. I have stated repeatedly that we cannot arrest our way out of this situation,” he said. “The important part now is trying to save some lives, and give people an opportunity to get the appropriate treatment.”

EHT Man Charged in Drug and Death Investigation; Others Arrested

MAYS LANDING –An Egg Harbor Township man was charged with first degree Strict Liability Drug Induced Death and first degree Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network during the execution of a search warrant on Tuesday morning at the Bayview Inn & Suites on Albany Avenue in Atlantic City, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Jamal Campos, 25, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with first degree Strict Liability Homicide Drug Induced Death, first degree Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, third degree Possession with Intent to Distribute 100 Wax Folds of Heroin and third degree Possession of Heroin.

Cousins Convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in 2014 Shooting Death

MAYS LANDING – Two men were convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the shooting death of a Vineland man in 2014, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Today, after a five day trial, Hykeem Martin, 25, of Buena Vista Township and his cousin Dominique Washington, 27, were convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and acquitted of Murder in the shooting death of Vincent Williams.

On July 3, 2014, troopers from Buena Vista Station responded to 9th Street in Buena Vista Township for the report of a man lying in the roadway with suspected gunshot wounds. Vincent Williams was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to Shore Memorial Hospital pending a post mortem examination. The medical examiner determined the death to be a homicide.

Three Charged After Narcotics Investigation in Hammonton

MAYS LANDING- A narcotics investigation dubbed Operation Crystal Ball resulted in the arrests of three individuals, and the recovery of drugs, cash and a handgun during the course of the investigation in Hammonton, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Operation Crystal Ball was a narcotics investigation into the distribution of Cocaine and Methamphetamine in Hammonton.

The Atlantic County Regional SWAT Team executed search warrants on Thursday, at the Columbia Fruit Farm and at another location at 455 Walnut Avenue in Hammonton.

The following individuals were charged:
Juvenal Duran-Almanza, 29, employed by Columbia Fruit Farm, is charged with:

EHT Man Sentenced for Electricity Theft, Drug & Weapon Charges

MAYS LANDING— An Egg Harbor Township man was sentenced to a New Jersey state prison for electricity theft, drug distribution charges which included a marijuana grow operation, and weapons charges Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Daemen Reese, 40, was sentenced before Judge John R. Rauh on July 21, 2017, to 7 years in a New Jersey state prison for Second Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, 3 years for Third Degree Theft of Services (Stealing Electricity), and 5 years for Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons.

Reese must serve concurrently 3 1⁄2 years of the 7 year sentence for the count of Second Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, 3 years flat on the count of Third Degree Theft of Services (Stealing Electricity), and must serve 5 years for Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons.

Former Owl City Band Musician Pleads Guilty to Lewdness with a Child

MAYS LANDING- A Minneapolis man and former musician with the band Owl City pleaded guilty before Judge Michael J. Blee on July 10, to fourth degree Lewdness with a Child, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Daniel Jorgensen admitted that he exposed himself in Atlantic City in August of 2013, to K.G., a child under 13 years of age and he being at least four years older than K.G. Blee sentenced Jorgensen to two years of probation to be served in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and ordered Jorgensen submit fingerprints and a DNA sample.

Jorgensen, now 32, was originally indicted on August 4, 2015, for charges relating to attempting to lure a child and engaging in criminal sexual contact with K.G. on an Atlantic City Beach, while touring with Owl City approximately four years ago.

Atco Man Pleads Guilty to Endangering Welfare of a Child by Sexual Conduct

MAYS LANDING—An Atco man has pleaded guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Sexual Conduct, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Euno Roque-Guerrero, 27, pleaded guilty to third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Sexual Conduct before Judge Michael Blee.

The guilty plea calls for a 5 year sentence in a New Jersey state prison and Guerrero will be subject to Megans Law registration, subject to a sex offender evaluation and parole supervision for life. As a condition of the plea agreement Guerrero will also forfeit a pharmacy technician registration.

He is subject to deportation at the conclusion of his sentence. Guerrero is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 29.

Atlantic City Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter, Weapons, Drug Charges

MAYS LANDING – An Atlantic City man pleaded guilty today to aggravated manslaughter, weapons and drug charges in connection to a 2014 homicide in Atlantic City, First Assistant Prosecutor Cary Shill announced.

Omar Curry, 27, pleaded guilty before Judge John R. Rauh to first degree Aggravated Manslaughter, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and first degree Maintaining and Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility.

Curry, of the 100 Block of Rhode Island Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ was arrested August 26, 2014, in the 800 block of North Virginia Avenue as a result of an investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the ACPO Gangs Guns and Narcotics Unit in conjunction with the Atlantic City Police Department.

Atlantic City Man Shot and Killed; Police Seek Information

MAYS LANDING- An Atlantic City man was shot and killed Tuesday evening, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

At 9:18 p.m., Atlantic City Police Department received a 911 call for reports of shots fired in the area of the 1800 block of Lincoln Avenue and simultaneously a ShotSpotter alert was received for the same area.

When officers arrived at the scene, Anthony S. McCrae, 28, was found with gunshot wounds at the 1800 block of Lincoln Avenue. McCrae was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Raymond Talucci at 9:39 p.m.

Atlantic County Corrections Officer Sentenced on Criminal Sexual Contact Charges

MAYS LANDING – An Atlantic County corrections officer was sentenced Friday in connection to charges of criminal sexual contact of a female victim serving a sentence at the county jail when the crime was committed, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Atlantic County Corrections Officer Castulo Matos, 48, was sentenced by Judge Bernard E. DeLury to 5 years probation, as well as forfeiture of current and future public employment.

On May 17, Matos, a 21-year veteran corrections officer of Egg Harbor City, waived indictment and pled guilty to the accusation of Criminal Sexual Contact—a crime of the 4th degree.

Pleasantville Man Charged with Attempted Murder; Weapons Charges in 2016 AC Expressway Shootout

MAYS LANDING –A Pleasantville man is charged with multiple charges in connection to the August 2016, Atlantic City Expressway shootout, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Devan Leggette, 21, was charged with four counts of Attempted Murder, one count of Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, and one count of Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose. Leggette has a first appearance Thursday before Municipal Court Judge John Roseberger.

On August 29, 2016, there was a shootout on the Atlantic City Expressway eastbound lanes at approximately milepost 11.2. One eyewitness stated he heard gunshots and looked up and saw smoke coming out of a black Dodge Ram pickup truck. The Dodge pickup truck and a white Ford Expedition began to exchange gunfire.

Prosecutor Issues Statement on Dr. Kauffman's Patient's Medical Records Seized

STATEMENT FROM PROSECUTOR DAMON G. TYNER
MAYS LANDING- Due to the sensitive and ongoing nature of the investigation involving Dr. James Kauffman, a number of the medical files pertaining to his practice have been seized. 

Because of the volume of the evidence, investigators are unable to return these medical files at this time. Please be assured that every effort is being made to complete the investigative process as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Any files that are deemed to have no evidential value will be returned as soon as is practicable. 

Those files that are kept as evidence shall be copied and those copies shall be returned in a similarly expeditious manner. 

Should there be an emergency, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office will strive to assist in any way possible.
In case of emergency, please call 909-7800 and leave your name, contact information, and nature of the emergency and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs. 

Hammonton School District Employee Loses Appeal on Conviction of Lewdness

MAYS LANDING – The conviction in municipal court of a Hammonton school district employee for an act of lewdness in 2015 was upheld last week by the Atlantic County Superior Court, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

On or about September 11, 2015, an off-duty police officer of another municipality was in the parking lot of the South Jersey Laundry in Hammonton, NJ, when he observed a man sitting inside a parked car masturbating. The officer attempted to detain the man, but the man drove his vehicle from the parking lot. The officer alerted others inside the business to call police, and he unsuccessfully attempted to locate the car.

NY Man Sentenced 20-years for Sexual Assault of 12-year-old Girl

MAYS LANDING – A New York City man—who was registered in the State of California as a sex offender at the time he committed the crime—was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2012 sexual assault of a 12-year-old Atlantic County girl, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

In April of 2013, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department was alerted to the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl that occurred in July of 2012.

A man by the name of Joe Crillo was identified as the perpetrator of the assault. Police determined the name to be an alias.

Following a joint investigation conducted by the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and members of the “Innocence Lost” Task Force from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was identified as Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, then 48-years-old, of the 200 block of West 119th Street, New York City.