January 25, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Gloucester County has recorded its second consecutive year with fewer motor vehicle crash fatalities than in the previous year.
The 22 deaths in 22 crashes on county roads in 2009 were the fewest in 19 years, according to figures kept by the New Jersey State Police. Fatalities were down 33 percent from 33 in 29 crashes in 2008.
Only Sussex County, with a 50 percent year-to-year decrease, from 14 to 7, had a larger percentage drop among New Jersey’s 21 counties in crash fatalities for 2009.
Gloucester County’s 2008 total, which was down 31 percent from 2007’s total of 48, was the first time since 2004 that fewer people lost their lives on county roads than in the previous year.
Many factors can contribute to a decline in fatal crashes, including fewer miles being driven for economic reasons; increased use of seat belts; proactive police efforts such as sobriety checkpoints to catch drunk drivers; increased public awareness of safe driving practices and stricter fines and penalties for traffic violations, including tougher rules for teens driving on “graduated” licenses.
In Gloucester County, the Highway Safety Task Force was formed in 2003 under Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton with the aim of lowering what was then among the state’s highest number of road fatalities. Comprised of private and public organizations concerned with road safety, the task force seeks to accomplish its goals through driver education and law enforcement measures.
With state grants administered by the task force, police departments in Gloucester County last year conducted eight sobriety checkpoints and scheduled “saturation” patrols targeting drunk drivers, arresting 21 persons for DUI and issuing 511 summonses for other motor vehicle violations.
“While we are pleased our county’s roadways are safer than they have been in many years, there is still much work to be done,” said Prosecutor Dalton. “We need to focus our efforts, not only on impaired drivers, but on distracted driving, such as cell phone use and texting while driving.”
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Glassboro man faces prison in gun assault
January 19, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Ronnell Williams (DOB 2/21/90) of 30 East High St., Glassboro faces up to 10 years in New Jersey state prison after admitting that he fired a handgun at three people in the borough’s Bentley Woods apartment complex in May 2008.
Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault Friday (1/15) before Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. His trial on assault, weapons and attempted murder charges was scheduled to begin last week.
Without explaining the shooting, Williams entered an “open” plea, meaning the sentence will be left to Judge Marshall’s discretion, with no recommendation from the prosecution. The sentencing range for a second-degree crime is five to 10 years in state prison. The plea was negotiated by Senior Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Paul Colangelo Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26.
In the May 24 incident, Williams was accused of firing a 25 cal. handgun at three victims who fled in a car. They were not wounded. Several bullets struck the car. Williams surrendered while Glassboro police were investigating the shooting. He is being held in the Gloucester County Jail in default of $250,000.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Ronnell Williams (DOB 2/21/90) of 30 East High St., Glassboro faces up to 10 years in New Jersey state prison after admitting that he fired a handgun at three people in the borough’s Bentley Woods apartment complex in May 2008.
Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault Friday (1/15) before Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. His trial on assault, weapons and attempted murder charges was scheduled to begin last week.
Without explaining the shooting, Williams entered an “open” plea, meaning the sentence will be left to Judge Marshall’s discretion, with no recommendation from the prosecution. The sentencing range for a second-degree crime is five to 10 years in state prison. The plea was negotiated by Senior Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Paul Colangelo Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26.
In the May 24 incident, Williams was accused of firing a 25 cal. handgun at three victims who fled in a car. They were not wounded. Several bullets struck the car. Williams surrendered while Glassboro police were investigating the shooting. He is being held in the Gloucester County Jail in default of $250,000.
Greenwich man gets 13 years for drug-dealing
January 22, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Byron K. Jones Jr. (DOB 11/17/69), of 1304 Berkley Rd., Greenwich Township in Gloucester County was sentenced today to 13 years in New Jersey state prison after a Gloucester County prosecutor told a judge he “has made it his employment to sell cocaine.”
Jones was even selling cocaine in Pennsylvania “while he was on parole for selling cocaine,” said Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Staci Scheetz in giving the justification for an extended prison term for Jones’ Dec. 10 conviction by a jury for possessing nearly three-quarters of an ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute.
The charges resulted from a Feb. 2, 2007 search of the defendant’s home. He was eligible for an extended term, as if his second-degree conviction had been a first-degree offense, because of prior narcotics convictions in Pennsylvania.
Jones will be ineligible for parole for six years and six months, Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. said. He receives credit for 416 days held in the Gloucester County Jail. Judge Marshall also scheduled an April 12 trial for Jones on a drug distribution charge that resulted from an undercover purchase, and that led to the search of his home. If convicted in that trial, he could be sentenced to a second, consecutive extended prison term.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Byron K. Jones Jr. (DOB 11/17/69), of 1304 Berkley Rd., Greenwich Township in Gloucester County was sentenced today to 13 years in New Jersey state prison after a Gloucester County prosecutor told a judge he “has made it his employment to sell cocaine.”
Jones was even selling cocaine in Pennsylvania “while he was on parole for selling cocaine,” said Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Staci Scheetz in giving the justification for an extended prison term for Jones’ Dec. 10 conviction by a jury for possessing nearly three-quarters of an ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute.
The charges resulted from a Feb. 2, 2007 search of the defendant’s home. He was eligible for an extended term, as if his second-degree conviction had been a first-degree offense, because of prior narcotics convictions in Pennsylvania.
Jones will be ineligible for parole for six years and six months, Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. said. He receives credit for 416 days held in the Gloucester County Jail. Judge Marshall also scheduled an April 12 trial for Jones on a drug distribution charge that resulted from an undercover purchase, and that led to the search of his home. If convicted in that trial, he could be sentenced to a second, consecutive extended prison term.
Camden man convicted in weapons trial
January 22, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Nelson L. Jackson (DOB 7/19/77), of 4 Bentley Woods, Glassboro, faces up to 10 years in New Jersey state prison after his conviction on a second-degree charge of possession of a handgun without a permit.
Jackson was found guilty by a Gloucester County NJ jury late Thursday (1/21) after deliberations over two days.
He was charged June 25, 2008 after a rented Cadillac he was driving was stopped near the Bentley Woods apartment complex in Glassboro, based on a caller’s tip to police. A 40. cal handgun was found on the floor of the vehicle in the front seat area. Although the weapon did not have fingerprints traceable to Jackson, Deputy Gloucester County Trial Chief Michael S. Curwin explained to the jury that the defendant was charged under a legal theory called constructive possession, attributing control of the gun to him as the driver and renter of the car.
Under the state’s Graves Act, dealing with weapons offenses, Jackson must be sentenced to at least three years in New Jersey state prison, with no eligibility for parole during that time. The sentencing range for second-degree crimes is five to 10 years. Jackson has been held in the Gloucester County Jail since his arrest. Sentencing was scheduled by Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. for Feb. 26.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Nelson L. Jackson (DOB 7/19/77), of 4 Bentley Woods, Glassboro, faces up to 10 years in New Jersey state prison after his conviction on a second-degree charge of possession of a handgun without a permit.
Jackson was found guilty by a Gloucester County NJ jury late Thursday (1/21) after deliberations over two days.
He was charged June 25, 2008 after a rented Cadillac he was driving was stopped near the Bentley Woods apartment complex in Glassboro, based on a caller’s tip to police. A 40. cal handgun was found on the floor of the vehicle in the front seat area. Although the weapon did not have fingerprints traceable to Jackson, Deputy Gloucester County Trial Chief Michael S. Curwin explained to the jury that the defendant was charged under a legal theory called constructive possession, attributing control of the gun to him as the driver and renter of the car.
Under the state’s Graves Act, dealing with weapons offenses, Jackson must be sentenced to at least three years in New Jersey state prison, with no eligibility for parole during that time. The sentencing range for second-degree crimes is five to 10 years. Jackson has been held in the Gloucester County Jail since his arrest. Sentencing was scheduled by Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. for Feb. 26.
Security industry group honors GCPO detective
January 20, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
The South Jersey chapter of ASIS International, a security industry association, is to present a law enforcement recognition award tonight to Det. Deon Henry for his work on preventing the spread of criminal street gangs in Gloucester County.
Det. Henry, who is currently assigned to the Intelligence Unit of the GCPO, has been active with the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program, a school-based, 13-session law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. Several local schools have used the program, designed to discourage youth violence, delinquency and gang membership, at the elementary and middle school levels.
Det. Henry conducts staff training at 10 local schools, teaches the GREAT program in four schools, and has also given presentations on gang awareness and the street gang mindset for community organizations, sociology classes at Gloucester County College and the county mayor’s association.
The ASIS award is to be presented at an awards banquet 5:30 tonight at the Pine Hill Golf Club, Pine Hill NJ. In announcing the recognition, ASIS said, “Detective Deon Henry should be applauded for his involvement with our schools. His investment in our children can only enhance their lives.”
Added Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton, “over the years, Deon Henry has done more to educate young people about the dangers of gangs than just about anyone in Gloucester County. He has been an important part of our community outreach efforts in the area of gang education and prevention. We appreciate ASIS recognizing his fine work.”
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
The South Jersey chapter of ASIS International, a security industry association, is to present a law enforcement recognition award tonight to Det. Deon Henry for his work on preventing the spread of criminal street gangs in Gloucester County.
Det. Henry, who is currently assigned to the Intelligence Unit of the GCPO, has been active with the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program, a school-based, 13-session law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. Several local schools have used the program, designed to discourage youth violence, delinquency and gang membership, at the elementary and middle school levels.
Det. Henry conducts staff training at 10 local schools, teaches the GREAT program in four schools, and has also given presentations on gang awareness and the street gang mindset for community organizations, sociology classes at Gloucester County College and the county mayor’s association.
The ASIS award is to be presented at an awards banquet 5:30 tonight at the Pine Hill Golf Club, Pine Hill NJ. In announcing the recognition, ASIS said, “Detective Deon Henry should be applauded for his involvement with our schools. His investment in our children can only enhance their lives.”
Added Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton, “over the years, Deon Henry has done more to educate young people about the dangers of gangs than just about anyone in Gloucester County. He has been an important part of our community outreach efforts in the area of gang education and prevention. We appreciate ASIS recognizing his fine work.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)