pleads

New Jersey Corrections Officer from Brick Pleads Guilty to Assault

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New Jersey Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Assault

**Trenton, NJ** — A New Jersey Department of Corrections police officer has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after an incident at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center’s Special Treatment Unit in Woodbridge.

Giuseppe Mandara, 55, from Brick, New Jersey, admitted to attempting to cause significant bodily injury during a plea hearing on Tuesday. The hearing was held before Judge Thomas K. Isenhour in Union County.

Under a plea agreement with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Mandara consented to forfeit his public employment and was barred from future public office. Prosecutors will recommend a four-year prison sentence, with sentencing scheduled for January 31, 2025.

The incident occurred on August 23, 2019, when Mandara assaulted a victim, escalating a verbal dispute into a physical altercation. Following the altercation, the victim suffered a fatal stroke, however, a state grand jury did not file homicide charges related to the death.

Former Ocean Counnty Dance Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment

Former Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment

**Toms River, NJ** – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Douglas Bollinger, a 57-year-old resident of Neptune City, pled guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child on Monday. The plea was entered before Judge Dina M. Vicari and is linked to incidents that occurred in 2019.

Bollinger is scheduled for sentencing on January 10, 2025, where he will face Parole Supervision for Life. Additionally, he will be subject to Megan’s Law and Nicole’s Law, which will permanently prohibit him from contacting his victim. He will also permanently forfeit future public employment and teaching certifications in New Jersey.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit revealed that between February and August 2019, while serving as a teacher at the Ocean County Performing Arts Academy, Bollinger engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a student. Incidents occurred in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park.

Bollinger was apprehended without incident on August 15 by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force. He was held at Ocean County Jail but released under New Jersey Bail Reform. Prosecut

Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Arson

Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Arson

**Queens, NY** – Evan Person has pleaded guilty to second-degree arson after setting fire to cars and a home in South Ozone Park, critically injuring two people. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the plea, noting Person’s actions over a span of less than an hour which endangered lives and resulted in significant injuries to the home’s occupants.

District Attorney Katz expressed gratitude to the FDNY Fire Marshals for their role in the case. FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker highlighted the danger posed to New Yorkers and FDNY members by Person’s acts, commending the efforts of all involved for ensuring public safety.

Person, a resident of Linden Boulevard aged 35, was indicted on multiple charges. These included two counts each of first-degree arson and criminal mischief, along with burglary and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded guilty before Justice Toni Cimino on Tuesday and faces a 15-year prison sentence starting early January.

The incident, occurring on July 4, involved video evidence of Person lighting a BMW on fire, which subsequently damaged another vehicle, followed by an attack on a nearby home. The ensuing fire injured two individuals who were asleep in the basement

Priest Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft of Church Donations

Priest Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft of Church Donations

**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that George Athanasiou, a Washington County-based priest, has pleaded guilty to felony theft. Athanasiou was charged with misappropriating hundreds of church donation checks, which he signed and deposited via ATM transactions for personal use.

Athanasiou, 37, served as a priest at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg when he illicitly signed, endorsed, and deposited the checks. On Wednesday, he appeared in Washington County Court and paid $155,000 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

The investigation by the Office of Attorney General revealed over 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving the church’s donation checks from 2022 to 2023. Video evidence demonstrated Athanasiou endorsing and depositing these checks via ATM. During a police interview, the priest admitted to stealing and endorsing checks without permission.

Attorney General Henry condemned the actions, emphasizing that the priest betrayed parishioners by stealing funds meant for the church community. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry.

Spring Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Minor

Spring Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Minor

**Spring Valley, NY** – Luis Quinac-Morales, 41, from Spring Valley, New York, has pled guilty to Course of Sexual Conduct in the First Degree. This plea was entered on Wednesday before Judge Anne B. Bianchi in Rockland County Court.

Since 2016, Quinac-Morales engaged in repeated sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl in Spring Valley. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II confirmed the charges, highlighting the abuse involved sexual intercourse.

District Attorney Walsh expressed commitment to protecting children with resources and collaboration from law enforcement at various levels. The investigation involved the Spring Valley Police Department and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations and Special Victims units.

Quinac-Morales pled guilty before a jury trial could commence. He faces a nine-year state prison term with a 20-year post-release supervision and mandatory sex offender registration. Sentencing is set for January 14, 2025.

Wall Township Resident Pleads Guilty to Motor Vehicle Theft

Wall Township Resident Pleads Guilty to Motor Vehicle Theft

**Toms River, NJ** – Jaquel Accoo, 29, from Wall Township, pled guilty to motor vehicle theft and witness tampering. This plea was made in the presence of Judge David M. Fritch, J.S.C., in relation to an incident in Toms River in October 2023. At his sentencing on January 3, 2025, the state will recommend a five-year prison term for each charge to run concurrently in New Jersey State Prison.

An individual reported his motor vehicle stolen on October 14, 2023, at the Toms River Township Police Headquarters. The investigation revealed that Accoo had not returned the borrowed vehicle and had sold it to an individual in Georgia. This led to a theft charge being filed against Accoo on November 22, 2023.

A warrant was issued for Accoo’s arrest, and he was placed in the National Crime Information Center database. The New York/New Jersey United States Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended Accoo in Red Bank on January 22, 2024. He was released under New Jersey Bail Reform after being