Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Arrest Made in 11-Year-Old Cold Murder Case

A 31-year-old area man has been charged in a homicide that had remained unsolved for 11 years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Christopher Willis, of Long Branch, was charged with one count of first-degree murder in connection with the 2009 the death of Norberto Nieves.

On Nov. 29, 2009, Norberto Nieves, 36, of Long Branch, was shot and killed in the vicinity of 136 7th Avenue in Long Branch.

An investigation was initiated into the homicide by Long Branch police. At the time of Nieves’ murder, the initial investigation did not yield any arrests. Additional evidence from the original crime scene was compared to other physical and testimonial evidence recently obtained during the cold case investigation, which resulted in charges being filed against the defendant.

With the assistance of the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, Willis was taken into custody and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township as he awaits his initial appearance and detention hearing.

If convicted of murder, Willis faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison.

The case is being investigated by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Long Branch Police Department. Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Wayne Raynor at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Police Department Detective Todd Coleman at 732-222-1000.

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; or by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available for iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm).