Camden, N.J. – Two brothers have been sentenced for their roles in the November 2018 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Thomas Reyes of Camden, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer.
Ryan Wilkins, 25, of Camden, was sentenced by Judge Gwendolyn Blue to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison. His brother, Curtis Miller, 26, of Camden, was sentenced to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Police responded to the 1000 block of Carl Miller Blvd. on Nov. 20, 2018 for a ShotSpotter Activation. When they arrived, they found Reyes suffering from multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Both Wilkins and Miller were found guilty by a jury on Feb. 12, 2020 of Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Accomplice to Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in connection with the homicide of Reyes.
Acting Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Spittal represented the State at trial and introduced surveillance footage showing the two fleeing the scene of the homicide in a vehicle later found abandoned. They were also captured discarding their clothing as they ran. Miller’s clothing was recovered and tested positive for gunshot residue.
CCPO Detective James Brining, Camden County Police Sergeant Gordon Harvey and Camden County Police Detective Shawn Donlon worked diligently to piece together the events before and immediately after the murder.
“Crimes like this one shock the conscience of society. The heinous nature of the murder of Thomas Reyes justifies these lengthy sentences and brings some measure of justice to his family,” said Mayer. “This case required a great deal of coordinated detective work and skill at trial. We are proud of the efforts of our homicide prosecution team. Our office zealously prosecutes all crimes, and particularly those of a violent nature.”
Ryan Wilkins, who drove his brother, Curtis Miller, to and from the scene of the homicide must serve his entire 30-year sentence with no possibility of parole. Curtis Miller must serve at least 43 years and three months of his 55-year sentence before he is eligible for parole.