Friday, November 13, 2009

Man faces 12 yrs NJSP in sex assault on elderly woman

PRESS RELEASE
November 13, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736

Sodoc A. Mayhue (DOB 10/13/89) of 58 Woodstown Rd., Mullica Hill pleaded guilty Thursday (11/12) to aggravated sexual assault during the course of a burglary at the home of the victim, a 74-year-old woman who lived in the same apartment complex with the defendant.

Under a plea agreement, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office will recommend Mayhue be sentenced to 12 years in New Jersey state prison. He would have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole, would be required to register with police as a sex offender under Megan’s Law after release from prison and be subject to community supervision for life.

Sentencing was deferred until Mayhue undergoes an evaluation at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, a facility for sex offenders at Avenel NJ. Appearing before Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson, Mayhue acknowledged he forced his way into the victim’s apartment on Oct. 8 2008, had forcible sexual intercourse with her and took $60 from her. Police arrested him shortly after the attack outside the victim’s apartment. He remains in the Gloucester County Jail in default of $125,000 bail.

Senior Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Audrey Curwin said the victim concurred with the negotiated plea, which spares her from testifying at a trial.

Sicklerville man gets 7 yrs NJSP for weapons, tampering

PRESS RELEASE
November 13, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736

Jahsul Shabazz (7/24/81) was sentenced today to seven years in New Jersey state prison for possession of a weapon by a convicted person in connection with a shooting incident in Deptford Township on August 3, 2007.

Shabazz was convicted Sept. 18 of two weapons charges, tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice in the 2007 incident on Club Court in the Locust Grove section, where seven shots were fired toward a crowd during a fight. No one was wounded, but bullets struck three vehicles. Shabazz was charged with tampering and obstruction for attempting to destroy a shirt he was wearing by flushing it down a police station toilet after his arrest, so that it could not be tested for gunpowder.

In sentencing Shabazz, Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson ordered that a four-year prison sentence for unlawful possession of a weapon be served concurrently with the seven- year term. Also to be served concurrently will be four years for obstruction and 18 months for tampering, Judge Allen-Jackson said.

Shabazz will be ineligible for parole for five years.

The defendant’s prior record included pleading guilty to drug possession in 2003. As a result, he was convicted Sept. 18 of the second-degree offense of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Joseph Brook, representing the State, argued against a defense request for a five-year sentence.

Appeals court reinstates attempted murder count in stabbing

PRESS RELEASE
November 10, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736

A New Jersey appellate court panel today reversed a decision to dismiss an attempted murder charge against a Pennsauken man in a March 2007 stabbing.

The three-judge panel unanimously found it was not vindictive or retaliatory for the prosecution to re-indict defendant Ediberto Ruberte (DOB 5/21/55), of 7160 Highland Ave, adding attempted murder to his original charges.

In a fight between two motorists who pulled onto the shoulder of Route 55 in Mantua Twp., Ruberte allegedly used a small knife to stab Stephen Pupo six times. Pupo, 37,of Mt. Laurel, survived the wounds.

Ruberte was initially charged with aggravated assault, weapons offenses, obstructing justice and tampering with evidence (the weapon was discarded). After he rejected a plea agreement, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office re-presented the case to a grand jury, which voted to add the attempted murder charge.

In an appeal, Ruberte contended this was done to force a guilty plea. In an 18-page ruling, the appeals court wrote that the attempted murder count was dismissed erroneously on a motion argued Feb. 10, 2009. The defense had presented no evidence of vindictiveness and federal and state case law has determined the prosecution can revise charges pre-trial, the ruling says.

GCPO Deputy Trial Chief Michael S. Curwin, who is prosecuting the Ruberte
case, said he is pleased the appellate decision “echoes” the prosecution’s legal analysis of the issues involved.

Deptford man charged with luring minors for sex

PRESS RELEASE
November 11 , 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736

In an investigation by the Deptford Township Police Department and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Michael Bonaventure (DOB 12/1/67) of 125 Patriots Ridge Drive was arrested Tuesday (11/10) and charged with luring three teenage boys with offers of cash in exchange for oral sex.

Bonaventure is being held in the Gloucester County Jail, Woodbury, in default of $100,000 bail, set by Superior Court Judge Eugene J. McCaffrey Jr.

Charges against Bonaventure: second-degree endangering the welfare of a child; second-degree sexual assault; second-degree luring and third-degree soliciting prostitution of a minor.

Victims cited in the complaints are three males, ages 15, 16 and 17.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home on Tuesday for the purpose of inspecting computers and his car. It is believed the solicitations occurred on-line.

The investigation is ongoing. Information about any other minors who may have had contact with the suspect can be provided to Det. George Johnson of the Deptford Township Police Department at (856) 845-6300 (ext 1272) or Det. Stacie Lick of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office at (856) 384-5608.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Glassboro man faces 5 yrs NJSP in cocaine, weapon case

PRESS RELEASE
November 10, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736

Nehemiah Garcia (DOB 2/20/84) of 51 South Academy St., Glassboro pleaded guilty Monday (11/9) to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing and possession of a weapon by a convicted person in connection with a Dec. 26, 2008 arrest at his residence.

Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson accepted the negotiated plea, which calls for Garcia to be sentenced to five years in New Jersey state prison. He will be ineligible for parole while serving the entire sentence. Sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 26, 2010. Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Paul Colangelo represented the State.

In the 2008 arrest, the Glassboro Police Department special investigations unit seized 79 bags of crack cocaine and a .25 cal. handgun from the defendant’s home. Garcia pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2003, was sentenced to 18 months in state prison and therefore was not permitted to possess a weapon.

Garcia is currently free on $40,000 bail.