Two plead guilty in fatal shooting of Plainfield man

PLAINFIELD — Two men have pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the 2011 shooting death of an innocent bystander outside a Plainfield convenience store, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park announced yesterday. Jordan Camacho and Laquan Chandler, both Plainfield residents, accepted plea agreements requiring each of them to serve 15 years in state prison, with 85 percent […]

Defendant in beating death of Clark man indicted on first-degree murder charge

CLARK — A Union County grand jury on Wednesday returned an indictment on a charge of first-degree murder filed against the man accused of beating a Clark resident to death earlier this year, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced yesterday. Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, 25, who has no established home address, is charged in connection with the May […]

Nearly 3,000 people turn themselves in during the first three days of Fugitive Safe Surrender; last day to surrender is today

TRENTON – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman today announced that, as of yesterday afternoon, close to 3,000 individuals have taken advantage of the Fugitive Safe Surrender program in Jersey City. The program, which ends today, affords people wanted on non-violent warrants in New Jersey an opportunity to surrender safely at a Jersey City church, […]

Democrats maintain stronghold on Freeholder board; late tally of absentee ballots changes outcome in several local elections

By Cheryl Hehl, Staff Writer UNION COUNTY — Although the Democrat incumbents easily managed to maintain the stronghold that the party has had on the freeholder board for the last 16 years, there were upsets at the local level that could result in political power shifts, while a referendum proved just where taxpayers stand on the issue of secession. It […]

Roselle man sentenced to prison for Child Pornography distribution

TRENTON – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced Friday that a Union County man was sentenced to state prison for distributing child pornography over the Internet. He was investigated and prosecuted by the New Jersey State Police, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. Craig D. Dotson, 24, of […]

Elizabeth man found guilty of 2004 sexual assaults

ELIZABETH — An Elizabeth man has been convicted of sexually assaulting two female acquaintances six months apart in 2004, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Friday. A Union County jury deliberated for more than two full days following a three-week trial before finding Clarence Beckett, 33, guilty of two charges of second-degree sexual […]

Murder suspect remains in custody as police search for body of Cranford victim

UNION – Suspect Matthew Ballister III remained in the county jail this morning on $2 million bail but has refused to tell police where he dumped the slain body of his Cranford girlfriend, April Wyckoff. According to police sources, more than 100 law enforcement officers along with the Hudson County K-9 Unit, U.S. Park Police […]

Reward offered for information about armed robbery of Kenilworth coffee shop

UNION COUNTY- Union County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in connection with the armed robbery of a Kenilworth coffee shop last week, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said yesterday. The robbery took place at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 […]