Five men responsible for at least one murder and a separate brazen daylight shooting incident in Asbury Park this summer are charged with weapons-related offenses and other serious charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said Wednesday.
There has been a significant number of gun-related incidents in Asbury Park and Neptune since the beginning of the year, resulting in two murders; another 13 shooting incidents that resulted in serious bodily injury; 15 confirmed shots-fired incidents; another 13 reports of shots-fired incidents that could not be substantiated; and the seizure of 37 handguns and one semi-automatic AK-47 replica rifle.
The latest arrests come just days after another shooting early Monday morning on Prospect Avenue in Asbury Park that left a 23-year-old male and a 51-year-old male, both of Asbury Park, with non-life-threatening injuries, and a shots fired incident on Sunday evening in the area of Mattison and Atkins avenues.
Arrested in recent days:
Prince Young, 22, of Myrtle Avenue, in Asbury Park and Chyrod Freeman, 21, of Prospect Avenue in Asbury Park are both facing charges of first degree murder in the June 14 shooting death of Jehadje J. McMillian in the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue in the city. They both are also charged with second degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and second degree unlawful possession of a handgun. Freeman faces an additional count of second degree certain persons not to possess weapons.
Both men are being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a first appearance on these charges.
Jaquan Allah, 25, of Second Avenue in Asbury Park, is facing charges of first degree attempted murder as a result of firing handgun at Prince Young during the shooting incident that resulted in the death of McMillian. Additionally, Allah is charged with second degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and second degree unlawful possession of a handgun. Allah is currently being held in MCCI on separate charges.
Scimel Jackson, 28, of Jay Street in Lakewood, is charged with first degree unlawful possession of a handgun and second degree certain persons not to possess weapons arising out of events preceding the McMillian homicide on June 14, 2019. He is currently being held in MCCI awaiting a Detention Hearing to be scheduled in Superior Court.
Freeman is also facing charges arising out of a separate incident of first degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder and first degree Attempted Murder in the July 30, 2019, shooting incident in the 200 block of Elizabeth Avenue in the city. Additionally, Freeman is charged with second degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun and second degree Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons related to that incident.
J’Keir Perry, 18, of Mattison Avenue in Asbury Park, is facing charges of first degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder and first degree Attempted Murder in the July 30, 2019, Elizabeth Avenue shooting incident in the city. Additionally, he is charged with second degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, and second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. Perry was arrested and charged Monday and is currently being held in MCCI.
If convicted of Murder, Young and Freeman each 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.
If convicted of any of the other first degree crimes, each man charged faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the provisions of 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 violence this summer on the streets of Asbury Park and Neptune Township cannot be tolerated – law-abiding citizens of these communities cannot be forced to live in fear of these gun- toting criminals. No one should live in fear to walk on public streets outside your home. Our office will track down these criminals, we will find them and get them off the streets where they do the most damage to families, friends and neighborhoods,” Gramiccioni said.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestopper
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Matthew Bogner and Ashley Behre.
