Latest news with #EssexCountyProsecutor'sOffice
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Prosecutor looks into alleged overtime padding by NJ Transit police
An investigation into whether some NJ Transit police officers and supervisors falsified reports and padded overtime is being conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. The prosecutor's professional standards bureau is conducting the probe, said spokeswoman Carmen Martin. She did not provide more detail. exclusively reported in August that NJ Transit's internal affairs department was investigating a number of patrolmen, sergeants and lieutenants from the Newark Penn division for allegedly no-show court appearances and falsifying police reports in order to gain more overtime pay. The alleged scheme largely took place in 2021, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation who works at NJ Transit's Police Department and spoke to last person's name was withheld because they were not authorized to speak to the media about the investigation. In January, requested the summary and findings report from the internal affairs investigation, which can be made public in certain circumstances thanks to a 2022 directive authored by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin Antoinette Lejano, of NJ Transit's Open Public Records unit, denied the request on March 4, saying "there is no applicable law or court order mandating release of the requested records, nor has the County Prosecutor or Attorney General directed release of the requested records." When asked if the Attorney General's office or Essex County Prosecutor's Office would direct the release of the records, both responded that they do not get involved in the outcome of Open Public Records Act requests at an outside agency. However, the request was not filed under OPRA, but rather the common law right of access. On Friday, parent company, Gannett, sued NJ Transit for the records. Stuart Alterman, an attorney for the NJ Transit Policemen's Benevolent Association, said the allegations are "categorically denied." Alterman said there are some "matters that are outstanding," but did not know about the Essex County investigation. "These officers have already voluntarily cooperated with transit authorities and provided statements," Alterman said. "I can tell you with extreme certainty there were no violations of policy, procedure or any laws conducted by any of the police officers that are involved in this case." Jim Smith, an NJ Transit spokesman, declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. This article originally appeared on Alleged overtime padding by NJ Transit police investigated
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indictment returned against Montclair teacher accused of threatening principal
A grand jury returned an indictment against Montclair school teacher Amir Doctry last week over allegations he'd threatened the principal of Northeast Elementary through a series of concerning social media posts in faces two third-degree charges of making terroristic threats in Essex County's superior court, according to Trial Court Administrator Sabrina Habibula. However, the indictment itself remains sealed. Doctry's alleged rant against Northeast School Principal Joseph Putrino, which said "Montclair school shooting kills Dr. Joe [...] Racism Joe is dead," was just one in a series of alarming statements against the administrator, according to a detention order signed by Judge Lori Grifa in February. The alleged threats began after Putrino called police on Jan. 9 to have Doctry removed from Northeast Elementary after the teacher visited the grounds in violation of an existing mandate that temporarily revoked his access to district schools and computer systems due to "erratic behavior," according to documents filed in his criminal lashed out at the principal in a text message warning he would take over as "boss" and have Putrino fired, according to police statements. Following his physical removal from the school, the threats escalated, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office has previously alleged. Putrino reported the ongoing harassment to law-enforcement after he saw a YouTube channel allegedly controlled by Doctry that included an image of someone holding a firearm, which the user had labeled: "All parents in Montclair." The threats continued to escalate when Putrino received yet another text from Doctry, which contained Judaic emojis alongside invectives such as "dumbass," according to a copy of the initial complaint. Then came the warning that Putrino would be killed during a school shooting on the same YouTube channel allegedly run by Doctry. The post vowed that "racist Joe [...] dies tonight," according to prior statements from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. That account has since been removed from the social media site, reported the online news outlet Montclair Local. Doctry is scheduled to be arraigned in state superior court on May 2. This article originally appeared on Montclair NJ teacher indicted in threat against principal
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Murdered Newark cop Joseph Azcona was looking for teen who posted eventual murder weapon on Instagram less than hour before shooting
The New Jersey teen who allegedly gunned down a Newark detective and wounded another in a hail of 29 bullets caught their attention less than an hour before — when he flashed the eventual murder weapon live on Instagram, The Post has learned. The 14-year-old tough guy's post meant to intimidate a rival, and set in motion the series of events that eventually led to the shocking March 7 slaying. The teen left home around 5:50 p.m. — 40 minutes before the shootout — to meet friends at the White Castle near Carteret Street and Broadway, according to his aunt, Hadiyah Sorey, who spoke to The Post this week from outside the three-family home she shares with her nephew and his mom, her twin, on North 9th Street. At White Castle, he posted the video of the ghost gun that law enforcement sources said was later used to kill Detective Joseph Azcona. 'He was seen flashing, showing off the gun on Instagram live,' the source said. The weapon was equipped with a conversion device that enabled it to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, the source said. The teen was firmly on police radar because of multiple arrests, including a robbery and 'other serious crimes,' a law enforcement source said. The local cops were working with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and they were already monitoring his social media when he posted the video. 'They look at the video, identify the location and they respond to the location in an unmarked police vehicle,' the source said. 'They saw him walking with a group of kids,' the source continued. 'They call for backup, which is the other unmarked unit. They all get out of the car, identify themselves as police and the kid turns around and starts shooting right away.' Azcona, 26, never even made it out of his vehicle. The five-year veteran of the force suffered mortal wounds as he sat in the patrol car as other officers traded fire with the teen. 'They didn't know that [Azcona] was hit right away,' the source said. 'The backup officers, they found him . . . and they hightailed it to the hospital.' The dead cop's partner was shot below his vest and had to have part of his liver and intestines removed, the source said. He was released from the hospital on Thursday. The teen was hit in the leg and arm, and is still hospitalized, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. He was charged with first- and second-degree murder. Azcona's partner, who has only been identified as Manny, spoke at Azcona's funeral at Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart last Friday. The boy's aunt claimed the teen had reason to have a quick trigger finger — her nephew was 'shot at' the day before, which is why he had a gun on him in the first place. Newark police would not comment on the active investigation. She said her nephew told her that the cops were in unmarked cars, wore ski masks and had shotguns drawn. He fired on them because he thought it was the shooter from the day before, she claimed. As he was being arrested her nephew told the officers, 'I didn't know y'all was the police,'' the aunt said. 'He wouldn't have shot at them if he knew they were cops.' A law enforcement source insisted cops clearly identified themselves — and had their shields hanging around their necks and were wearing bulletproof vests that said 'police' on them. The aunt said her nephew might as well be dead. 'Do you really think a 14-year-old wants to kill a cop?' she said. 'He's f–ked his whole life up at 14. He's a good kid. Now his life's over.' The teen is not in a gang, his aunt insisted, instead blaming social media for making kids 'misguided.' His mother, Rabiyah Sorey, 43, refused to comment when approached by The Post at her home, where she sat in a chair outside, hugging herself. The boy's aunt called the whole situation 'horrible.' 'Two families are hurting now,' she said. None more than Azcona's family, which is 'devastated,' a law enforcement source said. 'He was a really good police officer — a good person,' the source said. 'He really, really loved this job.'
Fox News
08-03-2025
- Fox News
Police officer killed, another injured in shooting involving 14-year-old suspect: authorities
Detective Joseph Azcona was shot and killed, and an unnamed officer was injured in a shooting on Friday night in Newark, New Jersey, Essex County Prosecutor Theordore Stephens announced on Saturday. The prosecutor also confirmed that a 14-year-old suspect was shot and is expected to recover from his injuries. The teen suspect has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of illegal weapons, Stephens told reporters on Saturday morning. The shooting happened just after 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway. According to Stephens, Azcona did not have the chance to exit his police vehicle before he was shot. Both officers and the teen suspect were taken to University Hospital, where one was pronounced dead, FOX 5 NY reported. On Saturday, University Hospital would not give updates regarding the injured police officer's condition, citing patient privacy concerns in an email to Fox News. The injured officer is "fighting for their life in critical condition," according to a Facebook post from the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote in a post on X he was updated on the incident. "This is a rapidly developing situation," he wrote. "Please pray for these officers, their families, and all our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to keep us safe." His team confirmed Murphy and his wife, Tammy, made a private visit to University Hospital in Newark. "The Essex County Prosecutor's Office can confirm that two Newark police officers were shot at around 6:37 pm tonight in the area of Broadway and Carteret in Newark," the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. "Both officers were taken to University Hospital. One of the officers was critically injured. This is an active and ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time." Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said his office is closely monitoring the shooting. "Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm's way every day to protect our communities, and tonight is a painful reminder of the depth of the sacrifices they make," according to a statement posted to X. "Please keep the entire Newark Police Department and the families of our officers in your thoughts as we pray for both officers shot in the line of duty tonight." Within the span of a few hours, there were four police officers shot across the country, according to Fraternal Order of Police National Vice President Joe Gamaldi. "In just the last three hours, there have been 4 police officers shot, one is dead," Gamaldi wrote in a post on X. "2 officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) PD, both are expected to recover. 2 officers from Newark (NJ), tragically one officer has made the ultimate sacrifice…RIP Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers." He added the incidents were "beyond heartbreaking."
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
One police officer killed, another injured in Newark, New Jersey shooting
One police officer has been killed and another was injured in a shooting Friday night in Newark, New Jersey, according to reports. The shooting happened just after 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway. Both officers were taken to University Hospital, where one was pronounced dead, Fox 5 Ny reported. The injured officer is in critical condition, according to a Facebook post from the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association. One suspect was shot at the scene and a handgun was recovered, according to FOX 5. Hero Police Officer Rescues Unconscious Driver From Blazing Wreckage Read On The Fox News App New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote in a post on X he was updated on the incident. "This is a rapidly developing situation," he wrote. "Please pray for these officers, their families, and all our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to keep us safe." His team confirmed Murphy and his wife, Tammy, made a private visit to University Hospital in Newark. "The Essex County Prosecutor's Office can confirm that two Newark police officers were shot at around 6:37 pm tonight in the area of Broadway and Carteret in Newark," the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. "Both officers were taken to University Hospital. One of the officers was critically injured. This is an active and ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time." Hero Officers And Good Samaritans Who Went Above And Beyond In 2024 Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said his office is closely monitoring the shooting. "Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm's way every day to protect our communities, and tonight is a painful reminder of the depth of the sacrifices they make," according to a statement posted to X. "Please keep the entire Newark Police Department and the families of our officers in your thoughts as we pray for both officers shot in the line of duty tonight." Within the span of a few hours, there were four police officers shot across the country, according to Fraternal Order of Police National Vice President Joe Gamaldi. "In just the last three hours, there have been 4 police officers shot, one is dead," Gamaldi wrote in a post on X. "2 officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) PD, both are expected to recover. 2 officers from Newark (NJ), tragically one officer has made the ultimate sacrifice…RIP Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers." He added the incidents were "beyond heartbreaking." The Essex County Prosecutor's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: One police officer killed, another injured in Newark, New Jersey shooting
