Javon cutler murder suspects sentenced to decades in prison
Javon Culter - Family Photo

Javon Cutler Murder Suspects Sentenced to Decades in Prison

Posted by
1 min read
October 20, 2023

TOMS RIVER, NJ – Leyron Jones, 26, and Daivon Sullivan, 21, both of Toms River, have been sentenced to 50 and 40 years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) respectively for their roles in the 2020 murder of 19-year-old Javon Cutler.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced the sentences handed down by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., on October 20, 2023. Both men were found guilty on August 17, 2023, following a three-week-long jury trial.

The sentences fall under the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring both men to serve at least 85% of their sentences before parole eligibility. Additionally, both were sentenced to 10 years in NJSP for Attempted Murder of a second victim; these sentences will run consecutively to their murder sentences.

They were sentenced to five years for Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, to run concurrently. Sullivan received an additional 10-year sentence for Attempted Murder of a third victim, also to run concurrently.

The charges stem from an incident on October 11, 2020, when Cutler and two friends were leaving Toms River Apartments. An unknown individual fired shots at their vehicle, striking Cutler in the head. Cutler succumbed to his injuries three days later. A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head and ruled it a homicide.

After an extensive investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, it was determined that Sullivan, Jones, and a third defendant, Shadrach Correa, 21, were involved in the shooting. All three were charged with Cutler’s murder on October 28, 2020. Correa, already in jail on unrelated charges, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon on April 24, 2023.

His sentencing date has not yet been set.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version