Essex co. Jail - google maps
Essex Co. Jail - Google Maps

Essex County Police Blotter: Drug, Assault, Robbery and Weapons Charges Top Latest Jail Bookings

July 30, 2026
2 mins read
The latest Essex County Jail intake report shows dozens of new commitments involving allegations ranging from drug distribution and domestic violence to robbery, burglary, illegal weapons possession and resisting arrest.

Newark, NJ – The Essex County Jail logged more than 20 new inmate commitments over the past 24 hours, with defendants facing a wide range of criminal allegations including narcotics distribution, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, weapons offenses and domestic violence-related crimes.

The bookings, current as of Thursday, include arrests made by departments throughout Essex County as well as inmates committed on warrants and detainers from neighboring jurisdictions. Several defendants remain held without bond while awaiting their first court appearances.

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Drug investigations account for numerous bookings

Drug-related offenses made up a significant portion of the latest jail commitments.

Garret A. Harrison, 35, was booked on multiple controlled dangerous substance charges, including manufacturing or distributing narcotics, possession of controlled dangerous substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is also facing separate allegations of unlawful handgun possession, aggravated assault involving strangulation of a domestic violence victim, simple assault, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Jail records also show Harrison is being held on a nearly $19,000 Hudson County Family Court detainer.

Leonardo J. Suarez, 28, was committed on an extensive list of narcotics charges that include possession with intent to distribute heroin or cocaine, possession of controlled dangerous substances, distribution within 500 feet of certain public property, possession of synthetic cannabinoids, wandering to obtain or sell drugs, and failing to surrender controlled dangerous substances to police. He also faces separate burglary, theft and criminal mischief charges.

Alshameik Tate, 27, was booked on charges alleging possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession of narcotics, distribution near school property and wandering to obtain or sell drugs.

Nicholas A. Mitala, 31, was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, wandering to obtain or sell drugs, and failing to surrender narcotics to law enforcement.

Rahsaan Goines, 26, was committed on allegations including possession with intent to distribute heroin or cocaine, possession of controlled dangerous substances, and distribution within school zones and near public property.

Fabian Martinez, 33, was booked on a controlled dangerous substance possession charge, while Ahmad McNeil, 32, was committed on a receiving stolen property allegation.

Assault and domestic violence allegations

Several inmates were booked on assault-related charges.

Semya I. Gill, 24, was committed following a Maplewood Police case charging her with resisting or eluding law enforcement after an order to stop.

Amirah N. Crawford, 20, Shawn Thompson, 39, and Halima C. Moore, 39, were each booked on separate simple assault charges.

Rodney L. Wright, 31, faces charges of terroristic threats and harassment.

Terry D. Vincent, 28, was committed on allegations of criminal mischief, simple assault, harassment, and terroristic threats.

Among the most serious violent crime cases is Tiffeany D. Dennis, 34, who faces multiple charges that include robbery, aggravated assault on a domestic violence victim, assault by auto, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, harassment, and simple assault. Jail records also indicate Dennis is being held on outstanding Jersey City municipal court and police detainers.

Weapons and stolen property cases

Raheem Fisher, 31, was booked on charges of receiving stolen property, unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit, and certain persons not permitted to possess firearms.

Garret Harrison also faces unlawful weapons possession charges in addition to the narcotics and assault allegations contained in separate criminal complaints.

Outstanding warrants and detainers

Several inmates entered the Essex County Jail on outstanding warrants or detainers.

One unidentified 43-year-old male inmate committed Thursday is being held on detainers issued by the Newark Police Department and West Orange Municipal Court totaling $3,000. The jail database did not list any accompanying criminal charges for that inmate.

Garret Harrison’s booking reflects an additional Hudson County Family Court detainer totaling nearly $19,000.

Other inmates, including Fabian Martinez, Jamal Coage and Ahmad McNeil, are being held in part because of Union County Jail detainers.

About the jail report

The Essex County Jail booking log reflects individuals who have recently been committed to the county correctional facility. Charges listed in the database represent criminal allegations filed by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Many of the individuals listed are expected to appear before a Superior Court judge for detention hearings or other initial proceedings in the coming days.

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