PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Juan Bautista (DOB 3/17/81), formerly of Bridgeton, NJ has been sentenced to 6 ½ years in a Mexican prison for critically injuring a Franklin Township, Gloucester County NJ woman in a 2003 drunk driving collision in Franklinville and presenting a false driver’s license afterward, according to a California justice official who assisted in securing Bautista’s December 2010 arrest as a fugitive in Mexico.
A judge in the Mexican state of Puebla convicted and sentenced Bautista on July 4 to 2 1/2 years in prison for causing grave bodily injury to 21-year-old Christina Applegate in the crash on Sept., 16, 2003, said Special Agent Val Jiminez, of the California Attorney General’s Foreign Prosecution and Law Enforcement Unit. A four-year prison sentence was imposed for using a false public document and a $6,000 fine was assessed, Jiminez said. The sentences are to be served consecutively with no parole.
In determining the sentence for causing injury to Applegate, the judge “considered that the perpetrator did not plan to cause the accident,” Jiminez said.
Jiminez said the Mexican federal prosecutor is appealing the sentence for injuring Applegate, who has been in a coma since the crash. The prosecutor “feels it’s not enough time,” he said. Such appeals “are usually pretty favorable” but may take several months, Jiminez said. Bautista remains in custody without bail.
After his Gloucester County NJ indictment for aggravated assault and assault by auto, Bautista, an illegal alien from Mexico living in Bridgeton at the time of the crash, failed to appear at a court hearing on the charges on June 4, 2004. He had been released on $35,000 bail Sept. 24, 2003. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Efforts to locate Bautista in the South Jersey region were unsuccessful and the investigation into his whereabouts turned to Mexico.
Bautista’s arrest in Mexico Dec. 16, 2010 was the result of lengthy efforts by the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office fugitive unit, working with Agent Jiminez’ California office, which translated the entire GCPO criminal file on Bautista into Spanish and submitted it to Mexican authorities. The Mexican government issued a warrant for Bautista’s arrest on the Franklinville NJ case in September 2010.
At the urging of Applegate’s family and friends and the GCPO, the “America’s Most Wanted” television show broadcast a segment on Bautista in 2006. The report included a dramatization of Christina Applegate’s life. Recently married, she was an aspiring race car driver and was well-liked by co-workers at a WaWa convenience store in Franklinville.
The crash occurred within sight of Applegate’s workplace as she attempted to turn her Ford Mustang onto Swedesboro Road from Delsea Drive. Bautista was driving an SUV at a high rate of speed in the opposite direction on Delsea Drive and struck the Applegate vehicle. Two passengers in the Bautista vehicle were also injured and he was charged with separate assault by auto counts for them.
The prison sentence “is close to what Mr. Bautista would have received had he stood trial in New Jersey,” said Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton. “We are very appreciative of the California and Mexican authorities and certainly support the Mexican prosecutor’s effort to increase the sentence.”’
“I also want to give a special thanks to retired Sgt. Tim O’Brien of the GCPO fugitive unit for his efforts in making this prosecution possible, and to Assistant Prosecutor Laurie Cimino, who shepherded this case through our legal system and assisted in its preparation for transfer to Mexico.”
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Body of Maple Shade NJ Woman in Car in Mantua Creek
PRESS RELEASE
August 15, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld-PIO
Gloucester County rosecutor's Office
The body of a woman identified as a 55-year-old Maple Shade NJ resident was found Monday afternoon in a partially submerged car that was discovered by a boater in the Mantua Creek off Berkley Road in East Greenwich Township NJ.
The woman, Connie Oman Burns, of 123 Frederick Avenue, was reported missing by her two sisters shortly after 12 noon on Monday. They had last spoken to her by telephone Sunday afternoon when she told them she was in Cherry Hill and planned to attend a family party in Maple Shade that afternoon. At 4:13 p.m. Sunday, South Harrison Towhship police received a report of a vehicle driving erratically on Monroeville Road. From information reported to police, it was determined the car was registered to Ms. Burns. Police were unable to locate the vehicle.
An East Greenwich Township resident who was fishing from a boat in the Mantua Creek about a quarter-mile from a Berkley Road boat ramp saw a vehicle partially above the surface of the water at 1:10 p.m. Monday. East Greenwich police responded to his 911 call and at the same time learned of the missing persons report regarding Ms. Burns. Assisted by equipment from the New Jersey State Police and the Malaga NJ Fire Company, the 2009 Ford Focus was raised to the surface and brought to the Berkley Road boat ramp. A woman's body was in the driver's seat of the car in a seat belt. Through body markings, she was identified as Ms. Burns.
An autopsy by the Gloucester County Medical Examine's Office is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Investigators also plan to search the shoreline of the creek on Tuesday in an effort to determine where the car entered the water.
August 15, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld-PIO
Gloucester County rosecutor's Office
The body of a woman identified as a 55-year-old Maple Shade NJ resident was found Monday afternoon in a partially submerged car that was discovered by a boater in the Mantua Creek off Berkley Road in East Greenwich Township NJ.
The woman, Connie Oman Burns, of 123 Frederick Avenue, was reported missing by her two sisters shortly after 12 noon on Monday. They had last spoken to her by telephone Sunday afternoon when she told them she was in Cherry Hill and planned to attend a family party in Maple Shade that afternoon. At 4:13 p.m. Sunday, South Harrison Towhship police received a report of a vehicle driving erratically on Monroeville Road. From information reported to police, it was determined the car was registered to Ms. Burns. Police were unable to locate the vehicle.
An East Greenwich Township resident who was fishing from a boat in the Mantua Creek about a quarter-mile from a Berkley Road boat ramp saw a vehicle partially above the surface of the water at 1:10 p.m. Monday. East Greenwich police responded to his 911 call and at the same time learned of the missing persons report regarding Ms. Burns. Assisted by equipment from the New Jersey State Police and the Malaga NJ Fire Company, the 2009 Ford Focus was raised to the surface and brought to the Berkley Road boat ramp. A woman's body was in the driver's seat of the car in a seat belt. Through body markings, she was identified as Ms. Burns.
An autopsy by the Gloucester County Medical Examine's Office is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Investigators also plan to search the shoreline of the creek on Tuesday in an effort to determine where the car entered the water.
6 Yrs NJSP in Gun Wounding of Man in Woodbury
PRESS RELEASE
August 15, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Robert M. Edwards (DOB 10/14/91), of 117 S. Carlton St., Lindenwold NJ was sentenced today to six years in New Jersey state prison for aggravated assault in the wounding of a 39-year-old Deptford NJ man during an altercation on Franklin Street in Woodbury NJ on March 18, 2010.
Edwards, who pleaded guilty to the assault May 31, must serve 85 percent of the prison term before he is eligible for parole, Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson said. The sentence will be concurrent with a three-year state prison sentence imposed in Camden County in May for a narcotics offense.
The victim told police he was in a physical altercation with an unknown ma on Franklin Street who pointed a handgun at him, and he was able to grab the barrel and push it away as it fired. A shot grazed his shoulder. Based on witness statements, Edwards was arrested a short time later on East Center St., Woodbury
August 15, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Robert M. Edwards (DOB 10/14/91), of 117 S. Carlton St., Lindenwold NJ was sentenced today to six years in New Jersey state prison for aggravated assault in the wounding of a 39-year-old Deptford NJ man during an altercation on Franklin Street in Woodbury NJ on March 18, 2010.
Edwards, who pleaded guilty to the assault May 31, must serve 85 percent of the prison term before he is eligible for parole, Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson said. The sentence will be concurrent with a three-year state prison sentence imposed in Camden County in May for a narcotics offense.
The victim told police he was in a physical altercation with an unknown ma on Franklin Street who pointed a handgun at him, and he was able to grab the barrel and push it away as it fired. A shot grazed his shoulder. Based on witness statements, Edwards was arrested a short time later on East Center St., Woodbury
Monroe NJ Travel Agent Pleads to Theft
PRESS RELEASE
August 15, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Ellis Hester (DOB 7/18/56), of 1236 Mt Vernon Ave., Gibbstown NJ pleaded guilty today to third degree theft by illegal retention, acknowledging that as a travel agent, he took more than $67,000 in deposits for a June 2011 Mediterranean cruise from 19 customers and did not use all the money for the intended purpose.
In a plea agreement, Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Joseph Brook will recommend that Hester, owner of the Deva Travel office in Monroe Township, Gloucester County NJ, be sentenced to five years on probation and be ordered to pay $67,380 in restitution to the victims.
Informed by Hester’s lawyer that he is currently employed. Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson said she would make it a condition of sentencing that he continue working in order to repay the money. Judge Allen-Jackson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28.
Specifically, Hester pleaded guilty to one count of theft, that being from customer Denise Hall in the amount of $3,369. “You took from her the same amount you took from everybody?” Assistant Prosecutor Brook asked. Hester said he did.
August 15, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Ellis Hester (DOB 7/18/56), of 1236 Mt Vernon Ave., Gibbstown NJ pleaded guilty today to third degree theft by illegal retention, acknowledging that as a travel agent, he took more than $67,000 in deposits for a June 2011 Mediterranean cruise from 19 customers and did not use all the money for the intended purpose.
In a plea agreement, Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Joseph Brook will recommend that Hester, owner of the Deva Travel office in Monroe Township, Gloucester County NJ, be sentenced to five years on probation and be ordered to pay $67,380 in restitution to the victims.
Informed by Hester’s lawyer that he is currently employed. Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson said she would make it a condition of sentencing that he continue working in order to repay the money. Judge Allen-Jackson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28.
Specifically, Hester pleaded guilty to one count of theft, that being from customer Denise Hall in the amount of $3,369. “You took from her the same amount you took from everybody?” Assistant Prosecutor Brook asked. Hester said he did.
Deptford Man Gets 7 yrs NJSP in Stabbing
PRESS RELEASE
August 12, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Brian S. Kramer (DOB 12/24/85) of 715 Glenside Ave., Deptford NJ was sentenced today to seven years in New Jersey state prison for stabbing a 46-year-old Deptford man at a 3/27/10 baby shower at the defendant’s residence, and he and a codefendant face thousands of dollars in restitution for injuries to the victim of the knife attack and to another man assaulted at the shower
Kramer pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on the victim, who he believed was abusive to his cousin, who was having the baby shower. The victim, who was cut in the chest, sustained a collapsed lung and a broken rib, was the ex-boyfriend of the cousin’s mother, Kramer’s aunt. Kramer lived with the aunt.
“This was an unprovoked stabbing,” Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Staci Scheetz said. “The defendant does have an extensive criminal history, dating back to his juvenile years,” Kramer had 30 charges in 23 juvenile incidents and five Superior Court convictions as an adult, she said.
Medical bills for both victims were extensive, Scheetz said. The other victim, who was kicked and punched after throwing Kramer’s hat into a fire, is seeking $8,891 in restitution, she said. Codefendant Timothy Lockhart (DOB 12/10/61), of 245 Amherst St., Deptford, pleaded guilty 7/11/11 to aggravated assault in the incident and both defendants are expected to share in any restitution order. An Oct. 10 restitution hearing was scheduled by Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen- Jackson, who also said Kramer won’t be eligible for parole for 5 years, ll months.
August 12, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Brian S. Kramer (DOB 12/24/85) of 715 Glenside Ave., Deptford NJ was sentenced today to seven years in New Jersey state prison for stabbing a 46-year-old Deptford man at a 3/27/10 baby shower at the defendant’s residence, and he and a codefendant face thousands of dollars in restitution for injuries to the victim of the knife attack and to another man assaulted at the shower
Kramer pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on the victim, who he believed was abusive to his cousin, who was having the baby shower. The victim, who was cut in the chest, sustained a collapsed lung and a broken rib, was the ex-boyfriend of the cousin’s mother, Kramer’s aunt. Kramer lived with the aunt.
“This was an unprovoked stabbing,” Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Staci Scheetz said. “The defendant does have an extensive criminal history, dating back to his juvenile years,” Kramer had 30 charges in 23 juvenile incidents and five Superior Court convictions as an adult, she said.
Medical bills for both victims were extensive, Scheetz said. The other victim, who was kicked and punched after throwing Kramer’s hat into a fire, is seeking $8,891 in restitution, she said. Codefendant Timothy Lockhart (DOB 12/10/61), of 245 Amherst St., Deptford, pleaded guilty 7/11/11 to aggravated assault in the incident and both defendants are expected to share in any restitution order. An Oct. 10 restitution hearing was scheduled by Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen- Jackson, who also said Kramer won’t be eligible for parole for 5 years, ll months.
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