Author: Prosecutor

On February 1, 2023, David Hummel was named Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor for the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.  Prior to his assignment as Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor, he served as the Legal Chief of the Investigative Division. In this role, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel was responsible for overseeing the Investigative Units in the Prosecutor’s Office including; the Homicide, Major Crimes, Special Prosecutions, Special Victims and Domestic Violence Units. In this capacity he also served as the Legal Advisor for the Professional Standards Unit and was the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Brady/Giglio liaison.  Assistant Prosecutor Hummel served in this position from July 2019 until assuming the Deputy First Assistant Position.     

Assistant Prosecutor Hummel has been employed as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office since 2000 and has been assigned to the Trial Team where he has been the Deputy Trial Supervisor since 2015 which held responsibilities of supervising the other Assistant Prosecutors assigned to the team, screening all cases prior to assignment, reviewing plea offers, indictments, Graves and Nera Waivers, and consulting on all aspects of cases including trial preparation and strategy. 

Prior to the assignment of Deputy Trial Supervisor Assistant Prosecutor Hummel was assigned to the Special Victims Unit, formerly the Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Units, where he served as the Deputy Director since September of 2012.  In that assignment, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel supervised the other Assistant Prosecutors assigned to the Unit, prosecuted allegations of sexual abuse, and taught various classes to local law enforcement officers regarding sexual abuse. Assistant Prosecutor Hummel began working in the Child Abuse Unit in 2005 which prosecuted cases involving physical and sexual abuse of children under thirteen years of age. In 2006, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel was assigned as the Supervisor of the Sex Crimes Unit where he reviewed all allegations of sexual abuse involving adult and adolescent victims, and oversaw the daily operation of the Unit. Assistant Prosecutor Hummel served as Supervisor of the Sex Crimes Unit until September of 2012, when the Sex Crimes Unit merged with the Child Abuse Unit into the Special Victims Unit.

From July of 2012, until 2015, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel also served as the Union County Prosecutor’s Office liaison for human trafficking cases. In this capacity, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel was responsible for reviewing all allegations of human trafficking and attended meetings with various State and Federal authorities to review methods to detect, prevent, and prosecute human trafficking cases.

In 2000, when Assistant Prosecutor Hummel joined the Office, he was assigned to the Appellate Unit, responsible for writing briefs and arguing various motions, including motions to suppress and municipal appeals. In 2001, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel was assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit handling criminal offenses involving the violation of domestic violence restraining orders. In 2002, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel was transferred to the Juvenile Unit where he conducted daily Court appearances on all aspects of juvenile cases including trials, detention reviews and waiver hearings. In September of 2002, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel was assigned to the Trial Team where he remained until he was transferred to the Child Abuse Unit in 2005. During the time on the Trial Team, Assistant Prosecutor Hummel prosecuted numerous cases including trials for various offenses, including homicide, robbery, and distribution of narcotics.

Prior employment- law clerk Honorable Rudolph N. Hawkins, Family Division, Union County Superior Court. 

On October 14, 2022,a Linden man was sentenced to 22 years in state prison for the shooting death of 29-year-old Andy Rozelien, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced today.

On July 8, 2022, Ashton Barthelus, 27, pled guilty to 1^st degree aggravated manslaughter in exchange for the 22-year sentence which requires him to serve at least 85% of the term before the possibility of parole.

Shortly before 3:30pm on Monday, October 26, 2020, members of the Linden Police Department responded to the 1600 block of East St. Georges Avenue and found Andy Rozelien of Linden having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Rozelien was transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, where he was pronounced dead, according to Assistant Prosecutor Scott Peterson, who prosecuted the case.

Prosecutor Daniel acknowledges the diligent efforts of the Union County Homicide Task Force, Linden Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and the Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit for their collaborative efforts which resulted in Barthelus’s apprehension and ultimately, being brought to justice.

At approximately 6:39 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2022, Union Police Officers responded to the 2000 block of Morris Avenue in Union after reports of gunshots in the area. Upon their arrival they located a male victim, Emmanuelle Florestal, 22, of Irvington, who suffered gunshot wounds. He was transported to University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

At this point, there is no indication that this incident is related to a previous shooting that took place in Union the day before.  The Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and the Union Police Department are actively investigating both cases. 

Anyone with information regarding the shooting on Saturday night or the homicide on Sunday should contact Sergeant Lamar Hartfield at 908-451-1873, Detective Melvin Rogers 908-259-2030 or Union Police Department’s Detective Christopher Connors at 908-851-5066.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an indictment and conviction can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.

Nominations are currently being sought for the prestigious 2023 Unity Achievement Awards presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses that have distinguished themselves in the broad realm of human dignity, human relations, and human rights. 

The awards are presented each year by the Union County Human Relations Commission (UCHRC) to honor ordinary people who do extraordinary things on behalf of others. Award nominees must live, work, and/or go to school in Union County. 

The Award categories include corporate/business enterprises, nonprofit organizations, community organizations, individuals, law enforcement, public service, veterans, the media, clergy, faith-based organizations, students, educators, and special recognition. The 2023 presentation will mark the 20th annual year in which honorees have been named. 

“We need the public’s eyes and ears to alert us to our “local unsung heroes” who dedicate their time and effort to not only enhance others’ experiences and quality of life, but raise and honor the human spirit,” Commission Co-Chair Dr. Martin Dickerson. “Especially during the Covid pandemic, so many heroes have stepped up to lend a hand to help their neighbors and community.  With this award we want to recognize the programs, services, activities, and efforts being put forth by local role models who have gone above and beyond just because that is who they are, what they are made of.”

“Listening to the stories told during the Unity Awards presentation every year, it’s impossible not to feel genuinely moved and inspired,” said Commission Co-Chair Charlene Johnson. “These award recipients simply improve the lives of others, and honor human dignity.”

“The Award recipients represent the very best of us here in Union County,” Co-Chair Johnson added.  “Their efforts truly make a difference in our neighborhoods, communities, and in our world.”

The most recent award ceremony, held in June 2022, honored the twenty 2020 awards recipients — fourteen individuals and six organizations. They represent a broad spectrum of focus, but all reflect selfless service, volunteerism, and honoring the human spirit.

Some acted on their own. One recipient, a mom, started a group to gather and disperse diapers — a huge budget item — to low income moms who were already struggling with simple basics like feeding their infants.

Another, a group of corrections officers routinely dress up as superheroes to raise funds and awareness for special needs and terminally ill children, taking time to meet, greet, and take photos with anyone they meet along the way.

Another award recipient provides special needs children with the chance to strut with confidence, sing with heart, and forge strong friendships that honor inclusivity and connection.

After the tragic loss of their mother and two brothers, three adult siblings whose family was helped by the community when they were children found a way to give back and create positive change in memory of their loved ones.

Another, an organization founded by two young men, provides an alternate path to bring the expensive game of soccer to youngsters who otherwise not be able to gear up or participate, while teaching them values that will carry them through their adult lives including respect, confidence, fair play, good sportsmanship, and teamwork.

“We ask you to tell us about your friend, neighbor, or co-worker, who do not seek recognition for what they do to help others, but who deserve this recognition and our thanks for all they do on behalf of others,” Co-Chair Dr. Dickerson said.

Nominations for the 2023 Awards are being accepted now, and they must be received no later than Wednesday, December 22, 2022. The awards are scheduled to be presented in May 2023.

Nominations can be submitted online at www.ucnj.org/uchrc, emailed to uchrc@ucnj.org, or mailed to the UCHRC, c/o Karen Positan, AKR Building, 32 Rahway Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202.

The commission serves to promote a more peaceful and tolerant society throughout Union County, primarily by addressing the issues of prejudice, bias, and racism, and their impacts on our local schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods, and working to eradicate the conditions that cause them.

“Today we witness the strong focus on inclusion, equity, and social justice,” Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said.  “The commission speaks in one strong, clear voice to make the message clear that we must all do our part to look after and care for each other, and that bias and hate have no place in Union County.”

The UCHRC consists of a group of volunteer commissioners who live or work in Union County, hailing from a diverse collection of personal and professional backgrounds, in fields ranging from education to advocacy to law enforcement.

“We’re very proud that since establishing the UCHRC nearly 30 years ago, the Prosecutor’s Office has been actively involved in its operation ever since, with members of our legal, clerical, and investigative staff volunteering to serve as commissioners to this day,” Prosecutor Daniel added.

For additional information, or if you are interested in learning more about the Commission, please email uchrc@ucnj.org.

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Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, in partnership with the Union County Board of County Commissioners, launched a county-wide community initiative designed to assist in making Union County a safer place to live, work, and visit. Known as the Safe Place Initiative, this program represents an active partnership between local police departments, businesses, social organizations, and schools to further New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s statewide efforts to combat bias, hate, and violence.

Safe Place participants will display a decal designating their establishment a “safe place” for any individual to enter and call law enforcement should they feel unsafe. This initiative began in Seattle, Washington as an effort to reduce LGBTQ+ bias incidents and hate crimes but has grown exponentially since its inception, and includes all forms of hate and bias incidents, as well as student bullying.

With all 25 law enforcement agencies in Union County committed to participating in the program, 23 of them being certified as of the rollout, Union County is the first county worldwide to collectively execute the program. 

Union County Prosecutor William Daniel states, “Our Union County Safe Place program is designed to assist all victims of hate, bullying, and bias offenses that include, but are not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, national origin, or ethnicity. Any individual who sees a Safe Place logo will know the that the establishment displaying the decal will provide a ‘safe place’ where victims of these offenses can seek refuge while the police are notified and arrive to assist them.”

PARTICIPATING UNION COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS:

Berkeley Heights: (908) 464-1111
Clark: (732) 388-3434
Cranford: (908) 272-2222
Elizabeth: (908) 558-2000
Fanwood: (908) 322-5000
Garwood: (908) 789-1500
Hillside: (973) 926-5800
KEAN University: (908) 737-4800
Kenilworth: (908) 276-1700
Linden: (908) 474-8500
Mountainside: (908) 232-8100
Plainfield: (908) 753-3131
Rahway: (732) 827-2200
Roselle: (908) 245-5600
Roselle Park: (908) 245-2300
Scotch Plains: (908) 322-7100
Springfield: (973) 376-0400
Union Township: (908) 851-5000
Union County Police: (908) 654-9800
Union County Prosecutors: (908) 527-4500
Union County Sheriff’s: (908) 527-4450
Westfield: (908) 789-4000
Winfield: (908) 925-3852

Reach out to the department Safe Place Liaisons with any
questions.

On October 7, 2022 a Linden man was sentenced to 14 years in state prison for the shooting death of 38-year-old Darrell Q. McKoy, two years ago, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced today.

On August 1, 2022 Dion M. Johnson, 40, pled guilty to 1st degree aggravated manslaughter in exchange for the 14-year sentence which requires him to serve at least 85% of the term before the possibility of parole.

“Shortly after 12:45pm on Monday October 5, 2020, members of the Linden Police Department responded to the 1200 block of Essex Avenue and found McKoy outside his home, having sustained serious injuries from multiple gunshot wounds,” according to Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Desimone, who was prosecuting the case. “McKoy was transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 1:30pm.”

An investigation involving the Union County Homicide Task Force, Linden Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit, resulted in Johnson being identified as the suspect in the case. The US Marshals Fugitive Task Force from New Jersey also assisted with the apprehension of the suspect.

“We are grateful for the collaboration from all law enforcement agencies who assisted our office in bringing this suspect to justice,” said Union County Prosecutor Daniel. “I hope this sentencing can bring some relief to all of those mourning Mr. McKoy.”

On Thursday, October 6, 2022, a Jersey City man was sentenced to 55 years in state prison for the shooting death of Carlos Rodriguez of Elizabeth a little more the three years ago, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced today.

On June 9, 2022 a jury found Anthony Reciofigeroa, 28, guilty of Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Possession of a Weapon after a three-week trial before Union County Superior Court Judge John Deitch. Judge Deitch sentenced Anthony Reciofigeroa to 55 years in State Prison, requiring him to serve at least 85% of the 55-year term on the murder charge before the possibility of parole. The Judge also sentenced him to 8 years with 4-year period of parole ineligibility on each of the weapons charges and ordered those sentences to be served concurrently with his sentence.

Shortly after 7 p.m. on July 6, 2019, Elizabeth Police Department patrol units responded to a report of gunshots being fired on the 500 block of East Jersey Street and found 19-year-old Carlos Rodriguez of Elizabeth on the sidewalk, having sustained a gunshot wound, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutors Jillian Reyes and Sarah Turk, who prosecuted the case. Rodriguez was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead the next day.

An investigation involving the Union County Homicide Task Force, Elizabeth Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit, assisted by the Vermont State Police and Jersey City Police Department, resulted in Figueroa being identified as the shooter in the case.

A Plainfield man was arrested Monday evening, October 3^rd, in a shooting death that took place on September 17, 2022, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney announced today.

Michael Cruz, 20, is charged with first-degree murder and weapons offenses in connection with the shooting of David Michael Buck of Somerset.

On September 17, 2022 at approximately 6:38 p.m., Plainfield Police Officers responded to the area of the 700 Block of Kensington Avenue in Plainfield after reports of gunshots in the area, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterman, who is prosecuting the case. “Upon their arrival they located a male victim, David Michael Buck of Somerset, who was suffering from gunshot wounds,” Peterman stated. Mr. Buck was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

On October 3, 2022, at approximately 5:30pm, Michael Cruz was taken into custody by members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force (USMS) in Philadelphia. Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Sergeant Scuorzo and Detective Kirsh, along with the rest of their team, coordinated with USMS/Task Force (Philadelphia and Newark Region), Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Union County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit, and the Union County Police Department Ballistics Team, to execute this arrest. The suspect was thereafter transported to the Philadelphia Police Department where he is awaiting extradition proceedings to return him to New Jersey.

“We appreciate the hard work and collaboration with our local and federal law enforcement agencies who assisted our office in locating and apprehending the suspect,” Prosecutor Daniel said. “We hope that this arrest can bring some small measure of comfort to all those grieving Mr. Buck.”

Anyone with information should contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Sergeant Chris Scuorzo at 908-472-0492, Detective Ryan Kirsh at 908-347-1420 or the Plainfield Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau at 908-753- 3131.

Convictions on crimes of this nature are punishable by terms of up to life in state prison.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Union County Prosecutor William Daniel announced today that a Scotch Plains man has been convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl over the course of two years.

Following a jury trial before Union County Superior Court Judge Thomas Isenhour, Jeff Banatte,37, was convicted Tuesday on charges of first degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of third degree aggravated criminal sexual contact and two counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child.  This investigation was initiated after a referral from the Scotch Plains Police Department and was led by Sergeant Annie Coll of the Special Victims Unit of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Bryan Tiscia, who prosecuted the case, the investigation revealed the juvenile victim was sexually assaulted by Banatte on multiple occasions when she was between the ages of 13 and 15.

“We are grateful for the collaboration from the Scotch Plains Police Department who assisted our Office in bringing this suspect to justice,” Prosecutor Daniel said, upon hearing the verdict.  “We hope this conviction can bring some small measure of comfort to the victim and her family.”

Sentencing has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2022 before Judge Isenhour, at which time Banatte can face a sentence of up to twenty years in State Prison with an 85% period of mandatory parole ineligibility pursuant to the State’s No Early Release Act (NERA), on his first-degree conviction.

At approximately 6:38 p.m. on Saturday, September 17th, Plainfield Police Officers responded to the area of the 700 Block of Kensington Avenue in Plainfield after reports of gunshots in the area. Upon their arrival they located a male victim, David Michael Buck of Somerset, NJ, who suffered gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Homicide Task Force and the Plainfield Police Department are actively investigating this case.  Anyone with information should contact Homicide Sergeant Chris Scuorzo at 908-472-0492, Detective Ryan Kirsh 908-347-1420 or Plainfield Police Criminal Investigations Bureau at 908-753- 3131.