Category Archives: News
Charges could be upgraded in case involving death of former American Idol contestant Alexis Cohen
Former American Idol contestant Alexis Cohen struck by a car as she was killed on Saturday while walking near the intersection of Bay Boulevard and Dupont Avenue in the beach town of Seaside Heights. Police allege that 23 year old Daniel Bark struck her with his car causing fatal head, chest and abdomen injuries.
Bark fled the scene and was arrested at 6 p.m. on Sunday in Atlantic Highlands which is about an hour or so north of Seaside Heights. He is in jail on $35,000 bail.
Right now he is only charged with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. My guess is that Bark was at intoxicated to some extent so I expect that homicide charges will be filed shortly. As a result, his bail will be much higher.
This is going to be a high profile case and everyone will be watching what happens due to the American Idol connection. As a result, Bark needs an attorney that will hit the ground running and start preparing for trial today! That is his best hope to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
Story is here.
Princeton High School coach indicted for sexual assault
James Kearney Jr., aPrinceton High School girls’ basketball coach has indicted on two counts of sexual assault for an alleged affair he had with a 17 year old student. Not really sure why they went with the indictment as they could have worked this out beforehand.
My guess is that he will plea out to a 4th degree and get probation. He will do this through a union attorney and it will be all done in a few months. That’s how many of these cases are handled which is why I see a lot of attorneys come in my office but so many of them opt for the free representation. I’d like to see one of these cases go to trial as it would be a great jury nullification defense. While you can’t exactly argue that explicitly, that’s really what this is and everyone knows it.
Story is here.
Lobster thief gets four years in prison
This is a wierd case for many reasons. Anthony Jones has previously admitted he took frozen lobsters from Bally’s Atlantic City and tried to sneak them out in his jacket and backpack. He was stopped by casino security and later arrested. A few months ago, he pleaded guilty to burglary. Today, he was sentenced to four years in prison. The lobsters were worth $1,275.
I can only assume that he had a prior record since four years is pretty crazy for this type of offense. In addition, I assume that he didn’t hire an attorney as this should have never even been indicted. You get it busted down to Atlantic City municipal court, pay the casino for the lobsters, pay a fine and move on with your life. Just don’t see four years for this at all.
Story is here.
Howell man charged with sexually assaulting 13 year old girl
Viktor Zhadanov, 26, of Howell was charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old Morris County girl he met in an online kids’ chat room, after police found him alone with her in his SUV at 1 a.m.
The girl allegedly reported that she had previously met Zhadanov on another occasion when she performed a sex act on him. They allegedly met in a kids’ online chat room where he used the name Slave and claimed to be 15 years old and from Newark.
Zhadanov gave a statement and told police that he drove from his home in Howell to meet the girl on a few occasions but he denied knowing her age or that he engaged in any sexual activity with her. However, there is no indication as to how he claims met her.
This case will likely turn on whether or not the State can prove the computer evidence. If they can’t, the entire case will turn on the girl’s credibility. You kind of have to wonder about a 13 year old girl that is allowed to go out at 1am and what type of family she comes from. Thus, he may have a decent shot here.
Story is here.
Crisis counselor charged with sexual assault of 4 children
Jerry Jones, a crisis intervention counselor who works for the Union County Division of Youth Services was arrested on charges of sexual assault involving four children. The children range in age from 6 to 14 years old. He is charged with three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.
The investigation began after a boy told his parents that Jones had assaulted him and a further investigation revealed additional victims. This sounds like a real tough case as it is really four cases. Thus, to win, a defense attorney would have to win all four cases. The State has to just win one in order to put him away for a long time.
His best bet is to work out a deal and to work it out sooner rather than later. With his older age, you want to stay away from anything that could be a de facto life sentence.
Story is here.
Man charged with sexually assaulting 10 year old in New Brunswick
Jeffrey Hagood, of Commercial Avenue in New Brunswick has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with his alleged assault off a 10 year old girl. There is no indication as to how he knew this girl, but my guess is that she was the daughter of a girlfriend or other friend that was staying with him.
The case started with an anonymous tip to DYFS and he was eventually arrested. Again, my guess is that he made a statement where he admitted to the assault. Otherwise, these cases are tough to prosecute without a statement.
Story is here.
670 pot plants seized from alleged pot farm
Eric Defelice was arrested and charged with first-degree maintaining and operating a controlled dangerous production facility. The farm allegedly used hydroponics techniques and was located inside a single-family dwelling at 110 N. 10th St.
Police allege that he operation seems to have been running fora few years because of the equipment that was found at the home. That consisted of hydroponics equipment, transformers, high-voltage lights, a self-contained exhaust ventilation system and an air purification unit and fan.
This is a tough case as it would be tough to take this case to trial. It is hard to argue that you didn’t notice 670 marijuana plants in your house and that someone else must have put them there. You also can’t say that these are for your own use. I’m sure the police had a search warrant and those are rarely easy to attack.
I would want to know more about his life and whether he was a big pot guy or whether he was living an expensive lifestyle. I’ve had cases like this before and have had great success at focusing more on the character of the client than the facts of the case.
Story is here.
8 men arrested in 1,000 pill a week prescription drug ring bust
Frank J. Stillo Jr. of Pohatcong Township, was charged with being the leader of a narcotics trafficking ring and conspiracy to distribute Oxycontin and other controlled dangerous substances. His bail is set at $200,000 bail.
His two sons and five others were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substances. Those arrested are Jonathan W. Stillo, Brandon M. Stillo, Anthony Giammona, Ronald P. Richie, Richard Faranda, Alexander E. Johnson and Daniel Moore.
Authorities said that Frank Stillo would obtain Oxycontin and other prescription drugs in Essex County and distribute them in Warren County to people who would in turn distribute the drugs to others. They allege that about 1,000 pills a week were being purchased and distributed, ranging in size from 10 to 80 milligram pills and in price from $10 to $65 a pill. The arrests capped a more than three-month undercover drug operation.
Story is here.
20-year-old from Marlboro charged with 15 drug-related crimes for allegedly using teenage girls to sell marijuana
Michael Lobianco, of Marlboro, is being held in lieu of $320,000 bail after his arrest on Saturday. Police allege that two girls, 15 and 16, conducted a series of transactions in Keansburg involving marijuana purchased by Lobianco for distribution.
He is charged with two counts of using a juvenile to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of conspiracy, two counts of possession with the intent to distribute and seven counts of possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public building, park or school. In other words, he is facing a ton of problems.
There are no other details of the incident, but I would like to know more about this case. How did the police link these girls to him? Do these girls have any credibility? There are a number of defenses here depending on the evidence. Either the State has some good evidence or they have a few hunches.
Story is here.
Aide at Private School in Wall Township arrested for sexual assault
Another day, another school sex case. This time it wasn’t a teacher, but a teacher’s aide at the Rugby school in Wall Township, New Jersey. Little is known at the moment except that a school bus driver overheard some children talking about a possible relationship between Brandi E. Shroyer and another student. Shroyer was arrested at her home in Spring Lake Heights and posted a $100,000 bond to get out of jail. Clearly she has some money and will likely get a good attorney to fight this case.
Story is here.
Tonacchio Law LC 