Category Archives: New Jersey News

Gaetano Lapegna, a 65-year-old resident of Franklin, New Jersey, has admitted to distributing videos and images depicting child sexual abuse, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger’s office on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Lapegna pleaded guilty on March 5, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal courtContinue reading “Sussex County man admits to distributing child pornography”

Two brothers from Miami, Florida, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute 49 kilograms of cocaine. Nelson Santos Munoz, 30, and his brother, Amauris Santos Munoz, 31, appeared before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court on March 5,Continue reading “Cops caught a couple of cocaine conspirators, called them to court”

by Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor A state law intended to stop teachers with histories of sexual misconduct or child abuse from finding jobs in other school districts has systemic flaws and is easily manipulated by both child predators and schools avoiding accountability, state investigators say in a new report. In one instance, school officials investigatedContinue reading “N.J. schools ‘pass the trash’ by hiring bad teachers, says SCI report”

Ready to Spring forward for time change 2024? Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10, 2024, and will last until Nov. 3, 2024, when we switch back to standard time. The time change means an “extra hour of light” in the evening but that also means slightly darker mornings.Continue reading “McCormick: Time switch is a reminder to check alarm batteries & BS detector”

A Democratic activist who is pleased that New Jersey will finally make good on its long-underfunded education aid formula says that state leaders need to be schooled on fiscal responsibility, accountability, and justice. As Governor Phil Murphy continues to champion legislation supporting charter schools in New Jersey, Lisa McCormick, an advocate for public education, voicedContinue reading “Lisa McCormick ‘schools’ Gov. Murphy on charter funding, leadership choices”

As a congressman scores the fifth straight convention win for his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat, two minority contenders find themselves marginalized by the political establishment. Raising concerns about inclusivity and representation in the state’s electoral process, Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of The Worker Institute at Cornell University, and Larry Hamm, a community organizerContinue reading “Minority contenders for U.S. Senate marginalized by political establishment”

Congressman Andy Kim is in a competition that includes two women also running for the Senate but the National Organization for Women (NOW) is endorsing his candidacy. The endorsement, coming from the largest grassroots feminist organization in the United States, recognized Kim’s commitment to championing women’s rights and advancing gender equality. With hundreds of chaptersContinue reading “National Organization for Women endorses Andy Kim for US Senate”

by Lt. Col. Agneta Murnan The New Jersey National Guard hosted the State Partnership Program directors of the six U.S. states whose respective National Guards are partnered with the Adriatic charter nations: Albania (New Jersey), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Maryland), Croatia (Minnesota), Montenegro (Maine), and North Macedonia (Vermont) at the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park,Continue reading “New Jersey National Guard hosted six states in Partnership Program”

by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin has given microstamping — a ballistics identification technology meant to help cops nab people who use guns in crimes — his seal of approval. Platkin issued a report Wednesday declaring firearm microstamping “viable,” a year and a half after state lawmakers passed a law thatContinue reading “Attorney General: Microstamping will aid investigations of gun crimes”

Jeffrey S. Kahn, a 55-year-old Republican living in Ridgewood, New Jersey, has been indicted on charges of wire fraud and money laundering related to an elaborate scheme that allegedly defrauded multiple victims seeking funding for their commercial projects. The indictment comes after Kahn was previously charged with wire fraud in November 2021. According to U.S.Continue reading “Bergen County Republican indicted for multimillion-dollar fraud scheme”

In a distinguished military ceremony held at the Lawrenceville Armory in Lawrenceville, Major General Lisa J. Hou, D.O., was honored for her exemplary service and promoted to the rank of Major General. The event marked a significant milestone in the illustrious career of New Jersey’s Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs andContinue reading “NJ’s military commander, Dr. Lisa J. Hou, was promoted to major general”

Lisa McCormick, a prominent anti-establishment Democrat known for her advocacy on progressive issues, has criticized New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy for what she calls a disingenuous support for a “Medicare for all” system. “First Lady Tammy Murphy must think that Medicare for all supporters are stupid if she believes we are going to fallContinue reading “Progressive Democrat calls Tammy Murphy’s Medicare for all support ‘disingenuous’”

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Thursday, February 22, 2024, that a Ramsey-based doctor and his medical practice have agreed to pay nearly $700,000 to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act. Dr. Arun Sehgal and his practice, Preventive & Diagnostic Medical Center P.A., have reached a settlement totaling $693,490 plus interest toContinue reading “$700,000 settlement is a “slap-on-the-wrist sweetheart deal” says consumer advocate”

A pedestrian was fatally struck by a motor vehicle on Thursday night, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. At about 8:18 p.m., Ocean Township Police Department responded to a distress call regarding a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle near the intersection of State Highway 35 and Valley Road. Preliminary investigations suggest thatContinue reading “Pedestrian walking in road killed on State Highway 35 in Ocean Township”

As February’s frigid breath chills the air, a celestial beacon emerges – the Snow Moon. Cloaked in the silvery brilliance of its fullness, this lunar marvel ascends on February 24th, transforming the winter landscape of New Jersey into a canvas of ethereal beauty. But the Snow Moon’s magic goes beyond its breathtaking glow; it’s aContinue reading “Snow Moon paints winter’s canvas a glimmering spectacle over New Jersey”

Amir Warden, known by aliases “Stamps” and “Killa,” confessed to his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy and admitted to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Warden, 31, entered his guilty plea on February 22, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court. He pleaded guilty to two counts outlinedContinue reading “Crips gang member admits racketeering and firearms charges”

by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has launched a new clemency project intended to help free people languishing in prison under “extreme” sentences. The group said they’ll take a categorical approach to clemency, meaning they’ll identify groups serving sentences they deem unjust and then petition Gov. PhilContinue reading “ACLU starts clemency project in New Jersey to fight unjust prison terms”

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey charged a Chicago man for orchestrating a sophisticated scheme that bilked victims out of more than $3.7 million. Phillip Galles, 57, faces charges of wire fraud and commodities fraud, according to an indictment filed on Friday, February 16, 2024. The indictment alleges that Galles, a former commodities trader, engaged inContinue reading “Former commodities trader charged in multimillion-dollar fraud scheme”

In separate cases that underscore the ongoing battle against child exploitation, two men from Union and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey faced legal consequences for their involvement in heinous acts of child sexual abuse. Joshua Cremosnik, a 50-year-old resident of Rahway, Union County, received an 80-month prison sentence on February 15, 2024. The sentence wasContinue reading “Two New Jersey men face justice for child sexual abuse crimes”

By Adam Hochron The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst hosted an annual science symposium on Feb. 9 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst featuring local students whose ingenuity could someday support the warfighter. The New Jersey Southern Junior Science and Humanities Symposium promotes research and experimentation in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)Continue reading “Warfare Center welcomes high school students to science symposium”