Avon Man Charged in Rumson overdose death

Michael Renna, 25 of Avon-by-the Sea, was charged today with the October 2013 overdose death of Christopher L. Pesce, a 25 year old resident of Oxford House, a drug rehabilitation transitional facility located in Rumson.

Renna is charged with one count of first degree Strict Liability for Drug Induced Deaths and one count of third degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous.  He was released from the Monmouth County Correctional Institution after posting $210,000 in bail as set by Judge John R. Tassini, according to Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Marc LeMieux.

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Casino closings wipe $2B from Atlantic City property-tax values

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People In Love May Be Having Better Sex

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N.J. Catholics warned of theological problem with Ice Bucket Challenge

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James Foley’s masked killer resembles British fighter in video of Syrian soldier’s execution

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Investigators Seek Witnesses To Fatal Freehold Crash

Three people are confirmed dead and another is hospitalized in critical condition following a three vehicle crash on Kozloski Rd in Freehold this afternoon.

The identities of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The incident was first reported at 3:47 p.m. today and occurred on the Kosloski Road overpass at Route 33 Business.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is urged to call Detective Eric Kerecman, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, at 732-522-8885, or Police Officer Joseph Winowski, of the Freehold Police Department, at 732-462-7908

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Middletown Has A New Police Chief

R. Craig Weber was sworn in as the 8th Chief to lead the Middletown Township Police Department over its 86 year history last evening before an overflow crowd at Town Hall.

Mayor Stephanie C. Murray administered the Oath of Office as Weber’s family stood beside him.

During his remarks, Weber acknowledged the support and friendship of his Deputy Chiefs and all the members of the department.  He welcomed the Chiefs of several area municipalities and law enforcement leaders from County, State and Federal law enforcement agencies.  Weber said that under his leadership there would be an increased level of cooperation with other agencies.

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Murder suspect checked in with law enforcement one week after the double murder

Brian R. Farmer’s mugshot taken August 6, 2014, one week after the murders of Joan Colbert and Veronica Roach, for which he is accused.

The man accused of murdering Joan Colbert and her 10 year old foster daughter, Veronica Roach, in their Long Branch home on July 30, visited the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office one week after the murder occurred, as part of his mandated monitoring as a registered sex offender.

Brian R. Farmer was convicted in 1996 of aggravated assault for engaging in sexual penetration of a 15 year old girl while he was armed with a knife.  Farmer confined the victim and her mother for three days, keeping them tied up.  The victims escaped and Farmer burned down their house, according to the New Jersey State Police Registry of Sex Offenders.

Farmer was arrested early this morning for murders of Colbert and Roach. He was additionally charged with first, second and third degree Endangering  the Welfare of a Child.  Photos of Farmer engaging in a sex act with the 10 year old Roach were found on his phone.

Sex offenders are monitored by the County Prosecutor’s Offices of the county where they reside, according to State Police Information Officer, Trooper Jeff Flynn.  As part of that monitoring, their photos are updated periodically for the Sex Offenders Directory.

Farmer’s most recent mugshot was taken on August 6, 2014, one week after the July 30th murders occurred.

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Arrest is made in Long Branch double murder

Cousin of elder victim is charged

Related: Suspect Checked In With Prosecutors One Week After The Murders

Brian R. Foster, a registered sex offender, was convicted of aggravated assault in 1996

Brian Farmer, 58, of John St in Long Branch has been charged with the strangulation murders of his cousin, Joan Colbert and her 10 year old foster daughter Veronica Roach.  Farmer also faces child pornography charges in connection with the 10 year old girl, according to a statement by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Prosecutor’s office has confirmed that the defendant is the the same Brain R.  Farmer, 58 of Long Branch, who is a registered sex offender convicted of aggravated assault in 1996.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Long Branch Police Department was launched after Colbert and Roach were found in their first floor apartment at 61 Lippincott Ave. on August 1, 2014.  Long Branch police responded to the home around 5:22 p.m. following a report of suspicious circumstances at the address.

A 13-day investigation revealed Farmer was at the home on July 30, where he was discovered by Colbert taking pornographic photographs of the 10-year-old girl. A confrontation ensued ending with Farmer killing Colbert and the girl. Farmer then fled the scene of his crimes.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend: August 15-17, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, August 15

• Red Bank Cocktail Week – MORE INFO

• Keith Urban with Neimann & Eldridge at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• The King and I at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO

• Ron White at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Brookdale Car Meet (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Crossing Borders Festival at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Computer Skills for Job Hunters (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

• tick, Tick…Boom! at ReVision Theatre (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Lucky Me at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Canoeing on Sandy Hook Bay – MORE INFO

• Seining at the Bayshore (Port Monmouth) – MORE INFO

• Lend Me A Tenor at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Bus Stop at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Martha’s Vineyard Weekend Trip via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Family Gym Time (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Downtown Freehold Farmer’s Market – MORE INFO

• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• D-Day Exhibit at NJ National Guard Militia Museum (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Kids Night Out (Fair Haven) – MORE INFO

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