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Politico
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Trump administration pounces on undocumented immigrant's vehicular homicide charge
Good Wednesday morning! Late last week, Raul Luna-Perez, an undocumented immigrant with two recent arrests for DUI and one 2023 arrest for domestic violence, allegedly drove drunk and slammed his car into one driven by Maria Santos Pleitez, killing her and her 11-year-old daughter and seriously injuring another daughter. The Trump administration jumped on it. On Saturday, ICE announced an arrest detainer and began initiating removal proceedings. Luna-Perez had been arrested for DUI in March and April and in 2023 was arrested on domestic violence charges, according to ICE. 'Thanks to New Jersey Governor Murphy's sanctuary policies, he was released into American communities. He entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown date and location,' read an ICE press release. This puts a heart-wrenching case involving immigration in the headlines in the middle of New Jersey's race for governor, so this probably won't be the last of it. And if the feds were looking for strong pushback from Gov. Phil Murphy on this, they didn't get it. 'The Governor believes that Mr. Luna-Perez, who had been arrested multiple times for DUI and domestic violence, should not have been allowed behind the wheel and should have already been deported due to his dangerous criminal activity,' Murphy spokesperson Mahen Gunartana wrote. In a statement, Attorney General Matt Platkin said 'over the objection of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, the court chose to release Mr. Luna-Perez.' 'To be clear, nothing in the Immigrant Trust Directive would have prevented New Jersey Law Jersey law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials to deport this defendant.,' Platkin said. 'And we reiterate that the Immigrant Trust Directive allows for cooperation with ICE in regard to anyone charged with a violent crime or convicted of any indictable offense.' (I'm not quite clear on whether the judge released Luna-Perez after the vehicular homicide charge). The Immigrant Trust Directive — the policy enacted during Murphy's first term that governs how law enforcement cooperates with ICE — widely restricts enforcement from enforcing federal immigration law, but it allows cooperation for serious crimes. So my question was whether Luna-Perez's arrests before the vehicular homicide charge qualify for this exception. For one of them, I think so. Though Luna-Perez's charge of simple assault domestic violence wasn't a felony, from my reading of the directive, any domestic violence charge is considered a 'violent or serious' under the directive and allows police to question the suspect about their immigration status and notify the feds. Why that didn't happen — if indeed it didn't — I'm not sure. (I'm told that charge had been expunged). Platkin in his statement said the directive ensures 'that victims and witnesses can safely come forward to report crimes regardless of their immigration status' and that it 'has improved law enforcement's ability to keep our communities safe with record low reductions in shootings and other violent crimes.' But measuring the directive's effectiveness is particularly difficult, while individual crimes like this stare you right in the face. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ SHOW ME THE WAY: Acting Gov. Way has no public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY:"I'm not a political hack. I'm an attorney licensed in four states. I've been licensed by the Supreme Court of the United States, and I have practiced law for the better of 20 years, and run law firms for most of 15 that [have] been extremely successful despite what the Twitter trolls would like to say.' — Acting (?) U.S. Attorney Alina Habba responding to criticism by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Richard Babcock WHAT TRENTON MADE WE'RE JUST BREAKING BLS — 'Jobs numbers become latest Trump battleground,' by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: 'The latest monthly jobs report released by New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed the state unemployment rate ticked up to 4.9% in June, coinciding with a loss of nearly 10,000 jobs. The same report, based on federal jobs data, announced a revision to the prior month's employment estimate, reflecting a further loss of jobs in New Jersey from April to May compared to what was originally reported. Buried in these monthly reports are technical notes that explain how the jobs data is collected — and why such revisions are commonplace as part of the ongoing quest to get an accurate view of the current job market. … The collection and dissemination of such data by the federal government has occurred for decades in the U.S., according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, using estimates derived from both household and employer surveys. … However, the jobs reports themselves are often easy targets for politicians, including those who may be feeling the heat whenever a new monthly report's initial snapshot gives reason to believe the economy is slumping. Last week President Donald Trump publicly criticized the July jobs report, which indicated both an increase in the nation's unemployment rate and a major downward revision of prior monthly jobs totals.' —'Punk rock brought together veterinarian and firefighter. An ex-boyfriend cop took their lives' TRUMP ERA NO SANCTS — 'Feds trim list of places they're fighting over immigration enforcement,' by New Jersey Monitor's Dana DiFilippo: 'Federal officials on Tuesday released a revised list of states, cities, and municipalities with policies meant to restrict immigration enforcement, and Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken made the list. A longer list that the U.S. Department of Justice issued in May left some observers baffled about some of the Republican-led and -leaning jurisdictions included, such as Cumberland and Warren counties. So the feds retracted and revised it, and now, no New Jersey counties are on the list. Even New Jersey itself isn't among the 12 states (plus the District of Columbia) that the feds have labeled as sanctuary states — even though Alina Habba, New Jersey's acting U.S. attorney, vowed in April to investigate Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin over the Immigrant Trust Directive, a state order that restricts when state and local police officers can cooperate with federal immigration agents.' I NEVER THOUGHT THE LEOPARDS WOULD EAT MY COASTLINE — 'Jersey Shore would be mostly gone without beach replenishment. But at what cost?' by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby and Dan Radel: 'More than $3.4 billion of local, state and federal tax dollars have been spent trying to stabilize the New Jersey coast, all while the Atlantic Ocean works to move the sand out from under the feet of its residents. … Without millions of dollars spent each year, the barrier islands — which drive billions in tourism dollars and fund much of the economy of eastern New Jersey — would be destroyed with the push and pull of coastal currents. But now the projects that protect the coast from potentially catastrophic erosion are in danger, according to some state officials. New Jersey normally receives up to $200 million in federal dollars each year for beach replenishment, but a new bill in Congress will provide only a fraction of that money this year, said Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., a strong champion in New Jersey of the beach replenishment efforts. This is the first time in nearly three decades that so little money has been given to New Jersey's beach replenishment projects, Palone said. 'House Republicans are pulling the sand out from under us,' he said in a statement.' —'Do Jersey Shore beach replenishment projects help or harm sea life? Experts weigh in' —'LBI group asks Trump administration to cancel approvals for Atlantic Shores offshore wind project' —'How Booker and Kim differ on arms sales to Israel' —'NJ nonprofits step in after 988 LGBTQ+ option is canceled' LOCAL R.I.P. — 'Atlantic County Commissioner Ernest Coursey dies at 62 after battle with colon cancer,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Nicholas Huba: 'Atlantic County Commissioner Ernest Coursey has died, according to a statement from the county's Democratic organization. He was 62. 'I am terribly saddened by the passing of my friend Ernest Coursey. Ernest had a gifted political mind and a solid pragmatism to him that made him an effective public servant. He exemplified Otto von Bismarck's maxim that 'politics is the art of the possible.' ….' Chairman Michael Suleiman said in a statement. Coursey was a tireless advocate for Atlantic County and was most recently responsible for facilitating discussions to settle the county's lawsuit against the state over distribution of the casinos' payment-in-lieu-of-taxes funds, County Executive Dennis Levinson said … The county Board of Commissioners' meeting scheduled for Tuesday was canceled in light of Coursey's death.' OFFICIAL PROVES HE HAS PULL IN CITY HALL — 'Paterson councilman charged with allegedly pulling City Hall fire alarm,' by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'Councilman Luis Velez — who says he is running for mayor next year — was arrested by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office on Aug. 5 and charged with a third-degree crime for allegedly pulling a City Hall fire alarm, officials said. The incident, which was captured on poorly lit security camera footage, took place in September 2024. A report written a day later by Mayor Andre Sayegh's City Hall security director, Hector Nieves, said the fire alarm activation seemed accidental with no sign of 'intentional tampering.' But the prosecutor's press release issued on Aug. 5 said there was sufficient evidence to charge the councilman with a crime. 'In that video, Councilman Velez can be seen touching the fire alarm box with his hand until the fire alarm is set off,' said the prosecutor's office. 'There was no fire or emergency at City Hall, which had to be evacuated.'' PRECIOUS MUNICIPAL BODY FLUIDS — 'NJ builder tells judge town should reserve 'precious water' for affordable housing,' by The Record's Philip DeVencentis: 'WAYNE — A developer that wants to build hundreds of apartments on Hamburg Turnpike has lodged a new petition in state court, asking a judge to order the township to save its 'precious water resources' for the construction of affordable housing. The local builder, a limited liability company tied to March Associates Construction Inc., asked the court to block the township from allowing connections to its water system, except under extraordinary circumstances, and to appoint a special master to prioritize water use. Judge Darren Del Sardo, sitting in state Superior Court in Paterson, is due to rule on the July 31 motion by the end of August. The water shortage is an ongoing problem that officials have acknowledged.' IF ONLY THERE WERE SOME LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS — 'Toms River votes to ban homeless people from parking garage, threatens jail and fines,' by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: 'A newly adopted ordinance would ban people from seeking shelter in the township's municipal parking garage, a site where a large group of homeless people were staying earlier this summer. The measure would restrict access to the parking garage behind town hall to those parking vehicles to visit downtown offices and businesses, including town hall and the Ocean County Library. It would impose fines of up to $2,000, and up to 90 days in jail, to anyone camping out in the parking garage, or storing belongings there; it would also cite any organization that assists individuals in the parking facility by dropping off supplies there. Those who violate the ordinance would be given 24 hours warning before any fines are issued. The measure has been panned by advocates, who say the township should be working with the county to find solutions for a growing homeless population.' CRONE TO HIRE SHERLOCK HOLMES — 'Former Camden GOP chair fined for not answering subpoena in Moriarty lawsuit,' by New Jersey Globe's Zach Blackburn: 'A judge has ordered the Camden County GOP's former chairman to pay nearly $1,000 after failing to comply with a subpoena in a libel lawsuit that state Sen. Paul Moriarty (D-Washington) leveled against the county party last year. Moriarty sued the Camden GOP and its previous chairman, Thomas Crone Jr., for defamation over a mailer distributed in the days leading up to the Democrat's election to the state Senate in 2023. The mailer allegedly called Moriarty a 'drunk driver,' an apparent reference to an unlawful DWI arrest in 2012 that led to the firing of a Washington Township police officer and a $50,000 settlement. The Camden GOP, now chaired by Kimberley Stuart, denied distributing the mailer in a legal filing. Crone, however, failed to comply with a subpoena that asked for his testimony and relevant documents. Late last week, Superior Court Judge Steven Polansky ordered Crone to pay $934 in attorney fees for his 'previous failure to comply' with the subpoena and demanded he appear for a deposition next Tuesday' TRENTON — 'State voided Trenton Water Works tests, levied $235K fine,' by The Jersey Vindicator's Jeff Pillets: 'Critical failures and fraud that surfaced last fall and winter at the beleaguered Trenton Water Works were deeper and more potentially harmful to water quality than previously known, according to documents released by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Last November, the utility that serves more than 200,000 Mercer County area residents announced that a worker was caught allegedly filing fake reports over a 13-month period from October 2022 through December 2023.' THE SMALL ONE — '2.7 earthquake hits N.J. days after 3.0 quake struck Bergen County,' by CBS New York's Jesse Zanger: ' A 2.7 earthquake shook near Hillsdale, N.J., Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It happened shortly after 12 p.m. The earthquake hit about 7.7 miles deep about 1.25 miles southwest of Hillsdale, according to the USGS. CBS News New York's Nick Caloway reported the ground rumbled in Ridgewood for about five seconds, then stopped. … No damage was immediately reported … Tuesday's incident comes on the heels of a 3.0-magnitude earthquake in Bergen County's Hasbrouck Heights Saturday night that rattled parts of New Jersey and New York.' —'Newark school board to pay $200K to settle legal claim filed by ex-school board member's daughter' —'Cyberattack caused [Cresskill] to misdirect tax payments, lawsuit says' —McDonald: 'Clever delay by Jersey City may allow it to escape public scrutiny over cop's outrageous conduct' —'Trying to be the life of the party: Sherrill and Ciattarelli contend with unpopular Dems and GOP' —'Once called 'a rising star,' North Bergen PD det. arrested in North Hudson drug ring' EVERYTHING ELSE AMERICAN REALITY — 'NJ tax judge cuts American Dream assessed value, affecting bondholder payments,' by The Record's Daniel Munoz: 'A New Jersey tax judge has approved American Dream mall's assessed value cut by $850 million, handing a win to the mall's owners, Canadian developer Triple Five. The decision by New Jersey Tax Court Judge Michael Gilmore on the 3.5 million-square-foot megamall and entertainment complex, issued July 31, means American Dream will have an assessed value of $1.65 billion rather than $2.5 billion. The ruling means the holders of $800 million in tax-exempt bonds that helped finance the mall will receive lower payments. … [S]nce the mall sits on tax-exempt, state-owned land, East Rutherford receives payments in lieu of taxes rather than property tax payments. The borough's property tax assessment contained 'fundamental flaws and errors' that 'improperly add several hundreds of millions of dollars to the valuation' of the American Dream mall, argued Romal Bullock, an attorney representing the mall, in a May court filing. The July 31 decision comes two months after the assessed property value of American Dream dropped by $800 million over concerns about the vacancy rate at the mall, which has struggled to generate the revenue promised years ago.' FOR PETE'S SAKE — 'Ex-Hoboken mayor gets his N.Y. law license back,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'A former Hoboken mayor who was arrested three weeks after taking office for accepting a bribe has paid his debt to society and now has his law license back. Peter Cammarano spent two years in a federal prison for taking $25,000 in cash from government informant Solomon Dwek on July 23, 2009, as part of Operation Bid Rig, a massive FBI corruption probe that involved political corruption, money laundering, and even the illegal trafficking of human organs. Cammarano resigned 23 days into his term. As a result of the conviction, Cammarano was disbarred in New Jersey and New York. A panel of New York judges approved Cammarano's application last week, finding that he has revealed 'genuine remorse for his conduct.'' —'Construction begins on first-of-its-kind N.J. apartment complex for adults with autism' —'N.J. man sues sushi chain, claims $100K investment led to raw deal'
USA Today
20-05-2025
- USA Today
Teen charged in New Jersey fire denies responsibility for blaze: 'I kicked dirt on it'
Teen charged in New Jersey fire denies responsibility for blaze: 'I kicked dirt on it' Show Caption Hide Caption Joseph Kling, accused of starting the Jones Road wildfire, speaks with media Joseph Kling, accused of starting the Jones Road wildfire, speaks with the media after appearing for an early disposition conference in Toms River. TOMS RIVER, NJ — A New Jersey man accused of sparking a massive wildfire in central New Jersey in April denied responsibility for the blaze, saying other people with him should have extinguished the fire. Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, was charged with aggravated arson, arson, and hindering apprehension in connection with the Jones Road wildfire on April 23, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. The fire erupted on April 22 in Waretown — an unincorporated community on the Jersey Shore — and rapidly spread throughout the southern Ocean County area. The fire, determined to be the second largest in New Jersey in the past 20 years, consumed more than 15,000 acres of the Pine Barrens and destroyed at least one building and multiple outbuildings and vehicles. The blaze was declared 100% contained on May 12, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire, according to authorities. Prosecutors accused Kling of setting wooden pallets on fire and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished. Following a brief court appearance on May 19, Kling told reporters there were 19 other people present at that bonfire, and 16 of them remained there when he left to help a friend in a dirt bike accident. Kling also said he tried to put out the fire before he left by kicking dirt on it. "I told them (the police) there were other people down there, and they ignored me," Kling said in front of the Ocean County Justice Complex with an electronic monitoring device visible on his ankle. "I kicked dirt on it and everything. I had the flame almost out." Following his arrest, Kling had been held in the Ocean County Jail until May 5, when Superior Court Judge Pamela Snyder placed him in home detention with an electronic monitoring anklet. The suspect is also charged in an unrelated case with simple assault and endangering an injured person in connection with a brawl that took place in the woods in Lacey in January. 2025 got off to a deadly start: How bad will wildfire season be in the US this year? Teen charged with setting wildfire A second teenage boy was also arrested in connection with the Jones Road wildfire. A 17-year-old, who was identified in court documents as the person who crashed his dirt bike, was charged with aggravated arson and hindering apprehension, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said on May 2. Gregory Lenzi, an assistant prosecutor for Ocean County, said the two defendants lied to police by falsely telling them that Mexican people started the blaze. An examination of phones belonging to both defendants revealed a chat between the two "appearing to refute the claim that Mexicans started the fire," according to Lenzi. Lenzi also noted that two others who were in the woods at the time of the incident told police that only the four of them were present when Kling placed two wooden pallets in a pit with gasoline and a gas-soaked item and lit it on fire. Those two people were identified in court documents as the defendants' girlfriends. "We caused the fire," the girlfriend of the 17-year-old defendant charged in the case said in a Snapchat conversation with a classmate, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Snapchat is a social media and instant messaging app where users can send videos, pictures, and messages that are usually only available for a short period. What to know: Greer Fire scorches over 20,000 acres across eastern Arizona Defense attorney argues Kling did not start the wildfire In response to Kling's comments on May 19, Billhimer said the investigation remains ongoing. "It would be inappropriate for us to offer further comment regarding the proofs," Billhimer said. "I will say that we look forward to trying this case in a courtroom, not on the courthouse steps." Kling's attorney, Joseph Compitello, said he expects more people to be prosecuted for the fire after a full investigation. The defense attorney insisted his client did not start the fire. Compitello said Kling "was unfortunately pinpointed, he was taken preemptively, and his statements, which have been consistent from day one, have been ignored, pushed aside," and not taken seriously. Julie Peterson, an assistant prosecutor for Ocean County, said at a news conference that no plea offer has been extended to Kling due to the active investigation. She said there still may be additional victims coming forward. "The state is still gathering information to get a big picture of the damage in the area," Peterson told Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan. Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
New York Post
20-05-2025
- New York Post
Teen charged with starting NJ wildfire blames ‘other people' at scene of blaze that burned more than 15K acres
A New Jersey man charged with starting the wildfire that tore through the eastern part of the state last month claimed that he shouldn't be blamed because more than a dozen others present at the time also failed to extinguish the flames. Joseph Kling, 19, was charged with aggravated arson and arson on April 23 for the out-of-control wildfire that tore through southern Ocean County, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said. The fire destroyed around 15,300 acres and was only declared 100% contained on May 12. On April 21, Kling allegedly set a pile of wooden pallets on fire and left without putting it out. 4 Joseph Kling, 19, claimed that more than a dozen others were present when he left the bonfire that later sparked the wildfire. AP 4 The wildfire proceeded to tear through more than 15,000 acres of the Garden State. Getty Images Kling told NBC Philadelphia that he had to leave early to take his friend to the hospital after a gnarly dirt bike crash, but noted that there were still about 16 other people there when he departed. 'There were other people there, and I tried,' Kling insisted to the outlet. 'I kicked dirt on it and everything. I had the flame almost out, and other people were there.' 4 Thousands of residents had to evacuate after the blaze tore through AP 4 A 17-year-old was also charged in connection with the wildfire. AP So far, only Kling and an unidentified 17-year-old have been charged in connection with the Jones Road wildfire. The younger teen faces the same charges as Kling, including a hindering apprehension charge that was tacked on after the two allegedly lied to police and tried to pin the blame on Mexicans, prosecutors said. The fire reportedly started in an isolated area within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust's Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area. It forced thousands to flee and was one of the largest wildfires recorded in the Garden State in recent years.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
17-year-old charged with arson in connection with New Jersey wildfire
A 17-year-old boy is accused of helping start a massive wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, that burned thousands of acres and triggered the evacuations of 5,000, officials said. The teenager, whose identity officials did not reveal, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with aggravated arson, arson, and hindering apprehension, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. The 17-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with the fire, which broke out last Tuesday and has been coined the Jones Road Wildfire. Last week, 19-year-old Joseph Kling was also arrested and charged with arson in the third degree and aggravated arson in the second degree. He has also since been charged with hindering apprehension, the prosecutor's office said. Kling is scheduled to appear in superior court for the first time Friday afternoon, though details about the hearing are not immediately available. Prosecutors accuse Kling and the 17-year-old of setting wooden pallets on fire near Jones Road and Bryant Road in Waretown before leaving the area without fully extinguishing the fire. The Cedar Bridge Fire Tower spotted smoke coming from the location last Tuesday morning, and investigators determined that the cause of the fire was "an improperly extinguished bonfire." Prosecutors said that as of Monday, the fire had burned approximately 15,300 acres in Waretown and Lacey townships and destroyed a commercial building. A spokesperson for the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection told NBC News on Thursday that the Jones Road Wildfire was about 80 percent contained. Both teenagers are also accused of giving law enforcement false information as to how the fire started, which prompted the hindering apprehension charge. According to the prosecutor's office, the 17-year-old is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. Kling was at the Ocean County Jail ahead of his detention hearing. It is not clear if the teenager is being represented by an attorney at this time. An attorney for Kling did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was originally published on
NBC News
02-05-2025
- NBC News
17-year-old charged with arson in connection with New Jersey wildfire
A 17-year-old boy is accused of helping start a massive wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, that burned thousands of acres and triggered the evacuations of 5,000, officials said. The teenager, whose identity officials did not reveal, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with aggravated arson, arson, and hindering apprehension, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. The 17-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with the fire, which broke out last Tuesday and has been coined the Jones Road Wildfire. Last week, 19-year-old Joseph Kling was also arrested and charged with arson in the third degree and aggravated arson in the second degree. He has since been charged with hindering apprehension, the prosecutor's office said. Kling appeared in superior court for the first time Friday morning, though details about the hearing are not immediately available. Prosecutors accuse Kling and the 17-year-old of setting wooden pallets on fire near Jones Road and Bryant Road in Waretown before leaving the area without fully extinguishing the fire. The Cedar Bridge Fire Tower spotted smoke coming from the location last Tuesday morning, and investigators determined that the cause of the fire was "an improperly extinguished bonfire." Prosecutors said that as of Monday, the fire had burned approximately 15,300 acres in Waretown and Lacey townships and destroyed a commercial building. A spokesperson for the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection told NBC News on Thursday that the Jones Road Wildfire was about 80 percent contained. Both teenagers are also accused of giving law enforcement false information as to how the fire started, which prompted the hindering apprehension charge. According to the prosecutor's office, the 17-year-old is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. Kling was at the Ocean County Jail ahead of his detention hearing. It is not clear if the teenager is being represented by an attorney at this time. An attorney for Kling did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
