Prosecutor: Five Arrested On Attempted Murder, Firearm Charges in February Shooting

A multi-jurisdictional investigation into a February shooting in Keansburg has resulted in five arrests, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Friday.

Shortly before 5 p.m. on Feb. 20, Keansburg police responded to a report of shots fired in the first block of Seabreeze Avenue. The intended victim was identified and evidence consistent with a shooting was recovered.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office and Keansburg Police Department was launched. That investigation revealed that on February 20, 2020, the victim was shot at multiple times from a vehicle occupied by three people. Subsequent investigation led to the identification of that vehicle, and the three occupants of that vehicle were identified as Wayne Jones, Jr., Brittany Smalls, and Tyrone Bailey.

On May 6, 2020, during a motor vehicle stop of Wayne Jones, Jr., related to the investigation, Jones, Jr. and two others were found to be in possession of a stolen, loaded, 9mm handgun.

Jones, Jr., 23, of Keansburg, Bailey, 21, of Asbury Park, and Smalls, 25, of Neptune Township, are charged with: first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Jones is also charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and third-degree receiving stolen property.

Tiera Young, 24, of Lakewood, and Darrell Ghee, 25, of Asbury Park, are charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and third-degree receiving stolen property. Ghee was also charged with second-degree certain person not to possess a firearm. Ghee was recently paroled from a 30-day home confinement furlough after he was released from New Jersey State Prison under Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order #124.  Ghee was previously sentenced on Dec. 31, 2019 to an aggregate four-year New Jersey state prison term for eluding and CDS offenses, with a maximum release date set for July 25, 2020.

All five defendants are being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) in Freehold Township pending individual detention hearings scheduled for May 18, 2020.

If convicted of attempted murder, Jones, Smalls and Bailey face sentences of up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring them to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. They would also be under parole supervision for five years following their release from state prison.

If convicted of unlawful possession of a handgun, each individual faces a sentence of five to 10 years in prison subject to the provisions of the Graves Act, requiring them to serve a mandatory 42 months in state prison before becoming eligible for release on parole.   

If convicted of being a certain person not to possess a handgun, Ghee faces a statutorily mandated sentence of five years in prison with five years parole ineligibility.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

DONATE A SMALL AMOUNT TO KEEP R-FH RETRO GOING! It’s called Buy Me a Coffee. It’s legit and a SMALL way to help. THANK YOU!

I Remember R-FH Mamas

You’ve heard it before — each year. We’ll say it again …

It’s Mother’s Day.

And, we at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect are thinking, the day should not just be one during which kids dutifully pay attention to the woman who … pretty much, well, twisted her heart up and spit it out to ride a Big Wheel at 100 miles per hour with no helmet. But, we digress.

We’re thinking that the day is not really just for all that Hallmark and social media jazz — though, it is somewhat important jazz. The day should be more about moms celebrating one another, especially to learn a little bit about one another’s roots in a tight-knit community such as the Rumson-Fair Haven area. Because, it does take this sort of village … if you let it. Embrace it. Like they did.

There are so many women in this area who served as the mortar in the in the brick foundation that is this community now. It goes back many generations. We are thankful for those women of all different motherly types — yes, different. Each unique and special in her own way. Each contributing in her own way. Each leaving her indelible fingerprint on many here, through the generations.

You see, the strong community foundation that brought us all here is not about anyone’s income figure and a few overused disingenuous promotional phrases — prime real estate value, curb appeal, flipping potential and the rest of the lingo concocted to make that sale.

The sale was made long ago and the value was tucked away in the hearts of some of these moms who were here when it all started, caring for one another through their community.

It’s about lifeblood — the lifeblood of, in this case, matriarchs who have bequested a legacy of true love.

They put the coffee on long ago. Who’s bringing the crumb cake? Yes, crumb cake. When it comes to community, you can splurge a little to keep it sweet and real.

The above photos are just a sampling of R-FH area moms gone and still with us through generations. We honor all of you. Check out our slideshow below for more …

Retro Appreciation for a Tres Bon RFH French Teacher

Joseph Guillory circa 1970s
Joseph Guillory circa 1970s

To honor some favorite RFH teachers who have passed, we are re-running this tribute to RFH French teacher Joseph Guillory, originally published in 2015, an under-appreciated gem of a language teacher. Thank you, Monsieur Guillory. You are remembered and appreciated … 

C’est toute bien.

It’s all good. That’s how things were in Monsieur Guillory’s class at RFH back in the 1970s.

The patient, kind and slightly goofy guy who taught the honors French class for many years is gone. But, no, his students and former colleagues have not forgotten him.

Continue reading Retro Appreciation for a Tres Bon RFH French Teacher

Iconic Spot: Coffee’s On Again at Booskerdoo; Icon Brewing, Serving, Waving

A Fair Haven icon is back in her iconic spot, the coffee’s on again and all is right with Booskerdoo Coffee & Baked Goods Co. lovers — in a no-contact app-inspired way.

Continue reading Iconic Spot: Coffee’s On Again at Booskerdoo; Icon Brewing, Serving, Waving

Retro Appreciation for RFH English Teacher Bob Berberich

RFH English teacher Bob Berberich

The following tribute on Teacher Appreciation Week to an RFH teacher who has passed, Bob Berberich, was originally published in 2015. 

They’re the teachers who taught us how to communicate effectively, appreciate the English language and even motivate certain writers (ahem) to write — English teachers.

In keeping with our Teacher Appreciation Week theme of honoring unique RFH teachers who have passed, today we look back to the lessons learned from Bob Berberich.

Continue reading Retro Appreciation for RFH English Teacher Bob Berberich

Prosecutor: Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Sexual Contact on Job

A Monmouth County corrections officer pleaded guilty to charges that while on the job, he engaged in sexual contact with an inmate at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI), Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Continue reading Prosecutor: Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Sexual Contact on Job

Retro RFH Gym Teacher Appreciation: Pat Robinson, a Near-Centenarian

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. And, ironically, May 4, the start of the week, marked the posthumous 100th birthday of a former longtime RFH gym teacher and field hockey coach — icon Pat Robinson, who passed away just shy of her centenarian milestone.

Continue reading Retro RFH Gym Teacher Appreciation: Pat Robinson, a Near-Centenarian

Scene Around: Socially Distanced Dog Days of Spring

Call it a howling success of a dog day of spring. Sunday was all about some bright sunshine washing away the pandemic fear. It was also about a bit less solitude, with NJ Gov. Phil Murphy opening the state’s parks.

Continue reading Scene Around: Socially Distanced Dog Days of Spring

Prosecutor: Brothers Charged with Sexual Assaults of Juveniles

An offer of a ride for four juveniles on April 22 turned into the alleged sexual assault of at least three of them and the arrest of a pair of brothers on that and related charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Continue reading Prosecutor: Brothers Charged with Sexual Assaults of Juveniles

Your closest look at local news