Monthly Archives: December 2022

Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Area Man Convicted of Repeated Sexual Abuse of Pre-Teen

A Monmouth County man has been found guilty of sexually abusing a pre-teen over the course of several years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.

On Wednesday Dec. 7, Julian B. Hart, 38, of Asbury Park, was found guilty of: first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child for the possession of child sexual abuse materials.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Friday April, 28, 2023, at which time Hart, pursuant to the Jessica Lunsford Act, faces a sentence of up to life in prison. Hart will also be subject to Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life.

The charges stem from a joint investigation launched by the Asbury Park Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau following a report made by the victim in the summer of 2021.

The investigation revealed that Hart repeatedly sexually abused the victim, who was under the age of 12, on multiple occasions from Sept. 27, 2014 through Dec. 16, 2015. Hart was arrested and charged in August of 2021. Hart was later indicted on Oct. 22, 2021.

The investigation also revealed that Hart was already on Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life when these acts occurred.

Anyone who may have information about Hart is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joseph Pahopin at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Detective James R. Crawford at 732-774-1300.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app, available on iOS and Android at https://www.p3tips.com/1182, by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

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

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Local Life

Scene Around: Where’s the Fire, Santa?

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Where’s the fire, Santa? Or were you just out for a joy ride on the big white truck? Prospective answers are questionable in the face of the Santa sighting on Friday in Fair Haven.

The answers? Well, they say that once a year, Santa parks his reindeer-drawn sleigh at the Fair Haven Firehouse and hitches a ride on the flashing, blaring firetruck to greet all the good boys and girls in town and kick off holiday festivities and a tree lighting.

Everyone accepts it as fact. And considering the joyous holiday mayhem overriding usual inquiring little minds that won’t quit, no kid ever really wondered why he couldn’t just ride that sleigh a few blocks down the street. I mean, he had already made it all the way from that North Pole. What’s a few blocks more? Something’s elfin-like mysterious about this firehouse/fire truck affinity of ol’ Saint Nick’s.

Then there’s his obvious friendship with the firefighters (ahem, as witnessed in the featured photo). Hmmmmm …

Yeah, yeah, he sees and knows all. But, what’s the Santa deal with being sleighed by all things fire company?

OK. Suspicions of decades’ long Santa and his magic firefighter connection pretty much point to one thing: In his spare time, Santa’s a fireman. Well, he’s at least a firemen groupie.

My mother always told me that the firehouse and firetruck Santa we saw around town before Christmas was an elf subbing for the real deal. Na. Sorry, Mom. I think the other deduction is more on target. Ho, no? Ho, yes!

And, hey, kids, should the suspicion be true, it’s a double the Santa pleasure for you. Let’s face it, between the trucks, the firehouse, the reindeer, the suits (fire and red) and the lights, sirens and action, there’s nothing more magical.

Oh, right. There’s the volunteer spirit and smile. Wait. Does Santa stay at the firehouse until it’s time for more of those traditional photos there? Molly Pitcher? Hmmmm …

Cheers to the Santa spirit! And thanks to the fire company elves for capturing the moments.

— Photos/FHFD media

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Local Life

Focus: Fall for a River Anchor of Warmth

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Whatever anchors your heart and floats your boat — like a crisp, sun-kissed fall day down by the river in Fair Haven.

Doesn’t matter if the boat floats. The heart fits. And it’s always anchored at the river for the soul of a Rumson-Fair Haven area kid. No matter what, when the sun’s rays warm the chill in the fall air, it’s always a reminder of what berths and soothes while cradling the heart in the warm embrace of a lapping tide down by the river.

It’s a toasty harbor, whether or not the sails are set. The boat, the heart, knows where home is — and it snuggles in, as the cold disappears with a memory and a dream of what there is “no place like.”

The sun is due to cast its rays this week, shining on the best of pre-winter moments …

Here’s the weather forecast for this week, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

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Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: October Murder Remains Unsolved; Public Input Sought

An investigation into a fatal shooting that took place in Neptune Township in early October remains ongoing as authorities request the public’s help in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: October Murder Remains Unsolved; Public Input Sought →
Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Office Manager Charged with Stealing $146K from Employer

An area woman has been charged with stealing more than $146,000 from her former employer over the course of about five years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Wednesday.

Continue reading Prosecutor: Office Manager Charged with Stealing $146K from Employer →
Obituaries

In Memoriam: Lifetime Red Bank Resident, Former State Trooper, Fireman, Musician, Vet, Vinnie Soviero III, 78

Lifetime Red Bank resident Vincent J. Soviero III “peacefully left his body surrounded by his family” on Dec. 3 after experiencing a heart attack nearly two weeks prior. He was 78.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Lifetime Red Bank Resident, Former State Trooper, Fireman, Musician, Vet, Vinnie Soviero III, 78 →
Local Life, Schools Scene

Scene Around: Caroling with RFH’s Tower Singers

RFH Tower Singers breaking from caroling on Saturday
Photo/RFH PAS

They were unmasked, on key and merrily singing their way into the holiday season.

Donning school signature purple and season-appropriate Santa hats, the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Singers caroled their way from Rumson to Red Bank, with four stopping points along the way and high-pitch Christmas spirit to spread.

Continue reading Scene Around: Caroling with RFH’s Tower Singers →