Two arrested in North Jersey drug bust

The Secaucus Police Department announced that a large brush fire near the swampy area of ​​the New Jersey Turnpike, between exits 15X and 16E, was successfully extinguished at 4:45 p.m. today.

Officers report that there is currently no threat to structures in Secaucus. Residents and motorists in the area may notice smoke and ash due to the proximity of the fire. Officials advise against calling 911 unless there is an immediate need for police, fire or emergency services. Thank you for your collaboration.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, led by Prosecutor Esther Suarez, announced the arrest of two individuals in Bayonne as part of a major narcotics investigation. The operation was carried out by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office's anti-narcotics squad in collaboration with the Bayonne police.

On Tuesday June 18, 2024, Giovanny Alfaro, 29, and Jamie Juarez-Castillo, 23, both residents of Bayonne, were taken into custody without incident, Avenue C. These arrests follow a series of operations clandestine activities during which the suspects allegedly engaged in criminal acts. the sale of illegal narcotics and an unauthorized firearm.

Investigators seized more than 180 grams of suspected cocaine and more than three pounds of suspected marijuana during the operation. Additionally, multiple quantities of Alprazolam and Oxycodone pills were recovered, as well as more than $3,000 in cash believed to have come from the sale of narcotics.

This successful operation highlights the continued efforts of local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and illegal firearm sales in Hudson County.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced the indictment of Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard on several counts, including 11 counts of theft by taking and 13 counts of making false statements and writings. The charges stem from an alleged embezzlement between July 2018 and September 2022.

Woodard is accused of illegally acquiring funds from Hall County and the Prosecutors Council of Georgia (PAC) for personal and unrelated expenses. The indictment details several instances in which Woodard allegedly obtained reimbursements for expenses that were duplicated elsewhere or not incurred at all. Additionally, it is alleged that Woodard supported these transactions with false statements and falsified documents, including receipts.

The case was thoroughly investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) under the direction of GBI Director Chris Hosey. The evidence was presented to a Hall County grand jury, which returned the indictment on June 12, 2024.

Attorney General Carr emphasized the importance of integrity in public service, saying, “Those elected to uphold the law must act honestly, ethically and transparently, and anything that goes wrong undermines our system . » He assured that the Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit, which is part of his office, is committed to following the facts and evidence to ensure justice for the people of Georgia.

This indictment follows other high-profile cases handled by Carr's office, including convictions against former prosecutors and district attorneys across the state, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat public corruption in Georgia.

In a bizarre case in Oklahoma, 55-year-old Larry Doil Sanders was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of murdering his friend Jimmy Knighten. The sentence was handed down by Pontotoc County District Court Judge C. Steven Kessinger.

The incident, which occurred in July 2022, escalated to murder after Sanders claimed Knighten “summoned Bigfoot” to kill and eat him. That claim surfaced during a nonjury trial in which Sanders was convicted of first-degree murder in April.

According to Sheriff John Christian, Sanders admitted to killing Knighten when officers arrived on scene. He told detectives the attack was provoked by Knighten's alleged summoning of Bigfoot. During the trial, Sanders testified that he believed Knighten was trying to drown him in the river to feed him to an allegedly sighted 12-foot Bigfoot.

The defense argued that Sanders was acting in self-defense, attempting to regain control of the situation and not to end Knighten's life. However, this defense was not enough to dissuade the court from imposing a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Braulio F. Toral, 52, of Hackensack, New Jersey, on charges including sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated criminal sexual contact, invasion of privacy and criminal sexual assault. contact. The arrest concludes a collaborative investigation led by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Hackensack Police Department, led by Officer in Charge Michael Antista.

The Hackensack Police Department initially contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit on June 17, 2024, regarding a privacy breach that had previously occurred. Further investigation revealed that Toral illegally recorded the victim on multiple occasions without her consent in situations where confidentiality was generally expected. Additionally, Toral was found to have committed multiple acts of sexual assault against a child, beginning when the child was under the age of thirteen.

Toral was later arrested in Paramus, New Jersey following these findings. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to combat serious criminal behavior in the community.

Wilkes-Barre City Police responded to a call regarding a public intoxication incident on June 19, 2024 at 12:24 p.m. The incident took place at 94 South Pennsylvania Avenue.

Officers arrived on scene and found Dennis Gilmartin, 34, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, who was visibly under the influence of a controlled substance. Police determined Gilmartin posed a danger to himself due to his medical condition.

Gilmartin was taken into custody and held until he became sober. Police continue to handle the situation following standard procedures for public drunkenness cases.