Highlands Man Gets 121 months for child porn

Layne Bracht

Layne Bracht, 32, of Highlands, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison today for uploading images of child sexual abuse to an online file-sharing network, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

A repeat offender who was convicted in 2006 of possession of child pornography, Bracht admitted in October of 2013 that he knowingly placed images and videos depicting child sexual abuse into shared folders that others could access via a peer-to-peer network. Special agents of the FBI executed a search warrant at his residence in Highlands on Jan. 15, 2014 and seized digital evidence that contained numerous videos and images depicting child sexual abuse, including material involving prepubescent minors and sadistic or masochistic conduct. The digital evidence seized included three files previously downloaded from Bracht by law enforcement agents working in an undercover capacity on the peer-to-peer network.  Brach has been in federal custody since his January 2014 arrest. He pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph E. Irenas on December 2, 2014.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Irenas sentenced Bracht to serve 15 years of supervised release.

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82 New Officers Graduate from Monmouth Police Academy

82 young men and women were sworn in as law enforcement officers today during their graduation ceremony from the Monmouth County Police Academy at Neptune High School’s Performing Arts Center, according to an announcement by Sheriff Shaun Golden.

43 officers completed the Basic Course for Police Officers, a 19 week program with 780 hours of training. 39 completed the Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers, a three month program that consists of approximately 600 hours of training with full police powers while on duty. Both classes are run through the Monmouth County Police Academy and upon completion the officers are well trained and well prepared to serve their respective law enforcement agencies.

The new officers’ training was sponsored by jurisdictions in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer and Burlington counties.

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Monmouth County Officials Honored By Defense Department For Supporting Citizen Soldiers

L to R: James Plousis, Chairman N.J. State Parole Board, Michael Ruane, Director Office on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services, Col. Carmen Venticinque, NJ ESGR, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Sheriff Shaun Golden & Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni. Click photo for larger view

Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Lillian Burry, Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni and Michael Ruane, Director of the Monmouth County Office on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services were each presented the Seven Seals Award by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) office during a Show of Strength ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office in Freehold on Wednesday.

ESGR is comprised of dedicated and trained volunteers and staff. They develop and promote employer support for Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between employers and service members.

ESGR informs and educates service members and their civilian employers regarding their rights and responsibilities governed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

With the Seven Seals Award, ESGR recognizes significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission to develop and promote supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Components.

48 percent of the U.S.Military comes from the National Guard and Reserve.

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Staten Island Scammer Gets 7 Years In Mortgage Scheme

Mario Coniglione, 51, of the Tottenville section of Staten Island, NY was sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison today for stealing more than $187,000 in mortgage payments from two New Jersey couples, according to a statement by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Posing as a mortgage broker, Coniglione pocketed over $100,000 from a Freehold couple and $75,000 from a Jackson couple over a 33 month period in 2010 through August of 2013 when he was arrested.  He pleaded guilty to two counts of  second degree theft in December.  In addition to the 7 year sentence,  Judge Anthony J. Mellaci, Jr ordered that Coniglione pay restitution of $187,562.40 to the victims.

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Eatontown fire claims 69 year old woman

Brenda Taylor, 69, died on Monday afternoon as a result of injuries sustained in an accidental fire in her Eatontown apartment during the early morning hours of Friday, April 10, according to a statement by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Gramiccioni said that the fire at the Garrison Apartments, 3 Throckmorton Ave, has been ruled accidental following a joint investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office,  Eatontown Police Department, Eatontown Fire Bureau, Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office.  The fire originated in the electrical baseboard heater of the victim’s bedroom.

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Hazlet contractor indicted for allegedy bilking Sandy victim out of $120K

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Arrest made in Asbury Park Murder

Tyreek Williams. Photo via facebook

Tyreek Williams, 24, of Asbury Park, was arrested today for the stabbing death of 19 year old Prize R. Johnson, according to a statement by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Williams was charged with first degree Murder, third degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.  He is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $1,022,500 bail with no 10% option as set by Superior Court Judge  Honora O’Brien Kilgallen.

Asbury Park police responded to a 911 call around 9:58 p.m. on Monday Jan. 5, 2015, reporting a person had been stabbed on Ridge Avenue before arriving at the apartment.  Johnson was found inside Building 1, Apartment 53, at the Washington Village apartments, 1259 Washington Avenue, where he died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at 10:29 p.m.

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Middletown Oxy Ring Busted

Suspended Doctor Caught Selling Forged Scripts for $300-$400

The Middletown Police Department in conjunction with investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the State Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs broke up a prescription drug enterprise Thursday night following a month long investigation, according to a statement by Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Dr. Kenneth Lewandowski

Dr. Kenneth Lewandowski, 51, of Tatum Dr , Middletown, was charged with six counts of third degree Conspiracy, six counts of third degree Forgery and the Unlawful Practice of Medicine, also a third degree crime.  He was held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $140,000 bail as set by Middletown Municipal Judge Richard Thompson.

Lewandowski’s medical license was temporarily suspended last April after he was arrested for DUI three times in the six weeks between February 14 and March 31.  His DUI arrests occurred in Middletown, Lakewood and Wall.  The Lakewood incident included an accident that resulted in injuries.  Lewandowski was charged with Assault by Auto in that case, according to the Order suspending his medical license.

Thomas Menendez, 50, of Geary Drive in Middletown is alleged to be Lewandowski’s partner in the criminal enterprise.  Menendez was charged with six counts of  third degree Conspiracy and six counts of third degree Forgery.  Judge Thompson set Menendez’s bail at $30,000.

Neither Lewandowski or Menendez are currently in the custody of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, according to APP’s Data Universe.

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Colts Neck Teen Indicted in 2013 stabbing and carjacking

photo via facebook

Brennan Doyle, 17 of Colts Neck, was indicted by a Monmouth County Grand Jury on 6 charges related to a July 2013 stabbing and carjacking in the Township.

Doyle will be tried as an adult on charges of first degree Carjacking; first degree Attempted Murder; third degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; third degree Hindering Apprehension of Oneself; and fourth degree Obstructing the Administration of Law according to a statement by Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.  His name was not previously released due to the juvenile confidentiality statute.

Doyle was released after posting $760,000 bail with no 10 percent option, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge James J. McGann, J.S.C.  Judge McGann also ordered Doyle to have no victim contact and no return to scene on all charges.

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Red Bank Regional substitute teacher charged with bedding 16 year old student

Accused rapist is founder of a youth advocacy organization

Darnell Lewis recruiting youth to make the right choices in Newark, August 2010. photo via I.M.P.A.C.T.’s facebook page

A substitute teacher and assistant football and basketball coach at Red Bank Regional High School is facing charges of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child after it was learned that he engaged in sexual intercourse with a 16 year of girl in his Red Bank home, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced from Afghanistan yesterday.

Gramiccioni is on a six month deployment with the Naval Reserve JAG Corps.

Darnell Lewis, 37, is charged with three counts of second degree Sexual Assault and one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $200,000 bail with no 10 percent option, as set my Superior Court Judge Angela White Dalton. He is to have no contact with the victim, should he make bail, according to White Dalton’s order.

Described as a hall monitor, substitute teacher and coach by Gramiccioni’s statement, Lewis recently resigned from Red Bank Regional and has not returned to the school.

Lewis is the founder of I.M.P.A.C.T., an organization he founded in 2010 that purports to help people make better choices.

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