JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Three dangerous men who are facing charges for an extremely violent crime are back on the streets thanks to an Ocean County judge and New Jersey Bail Reform.
Michael Vulpis, 26, of Freehold Borough, was indicted by an Ocean County Grand Jury on charges including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced on Wednesday.
The indictment stems from a June 27, 2024, shooting in Jackson Township in which a 27-year-old male was shot in the face.
Vulpis, along with Noah Phelps, 24, of Monroe Township, and Glenn Franzson, 32, of Jackson Township, face a series of charges related to the incident and subsequent attempts to tamper with witnesses.
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:20 a.m. on June 27 when officers responded to a report of a male suffering a gunshot wound on Larsen Road. The victim was found with a gunshot wound to his face and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the victim had been sitting in a parked vehicle with a female when a blue sedan blocked them in. Two men exited the sedan, approached the vehicle, and knocked on the window. As the victim attempted to exit, one of the assailants began to strike him, and during the assault, the victim was shot in the face.
The suspects fled the scene.
Vulpis was identified as the shooter and was arrested on July 3, 2024, at his residence. He has remained in custody since his arrest and is now indicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and being a certain person not to possess a weapon.
On Friday morning, his name was no longer listed in the Ocean County Jail roster. His current incarceration status is unknown.
Phelps, identified as the second assailant, was charged on August 15, 2024, with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He surrendered to Freehold Township Police the following day and was released under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines.
Further investigation revealed that Vulpis and Franzson conspired to tamper with the victim’s testimony, leading to additional charges. Franzson was arrested on August 15, 2024, following a search of his residence that uncovered methamphetamine, cocaine, and a ghost gun with a high-capacity magazine. He was charged with possession of drugs and weapons, along with witness tampering, and was later released under bail reform.
Vulpis was also charged with conspiracy to commit witness tampering while in custody. All three men face significant charges as the investigation continues.
