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Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office marks 19 straight guilty verdicts


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The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office has had 19 straight guilty verdicts in 19 months.

The convictions include six murders, several sexual assaults and a human-trafficking case.

Maximo Santiago is serving 40 years for the killing of his former girlfriend in Atlantic City.

Lewis Johnson was convicted of murder for fatally shooting 17-year-old Cu'raan Williams on the balcony of the teen's home. Johnson's former girlfriend and co-defendant testified against him.

Timothy Wright is in prison on a 55-year sentence in the 2014 killing of Joyce Vanderhoff, whose body was dumped on the side of the road in Hamilton Township.

Alvin Wyatt was sentenced to 70 years in a shooting at a Pleasantville High School football game that killed 10-year-old Micah Tennant and wounded two others, including Wyatt's intended target.

There were felony murder convictions for Oshshakur Derrick and Jermaine Wharton. Felony murder is a death that occurs during the commission of another crime.

Derrick was sentenced to 54 years in a home invasion that led to an Egg Harbor Township man's death. Wharton got 43 years in a carjacking in which a Somers Point man died.

Michael Matthews is serving 10 years for sexually assaulting a young girl for years, beginning when she was 3 or 4. He was also sentenced to five years for child endangerment.

Andreas Andreadis is awaiting sentencing in the sexual assault of a then-8-year-old Galloway Township girl. He faces five to 10 years, but state will be asking for an extended term due to his criminal history.

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Tahir Gregory was convicted of using violence, drugs and threats to force women into sexual trafficking. He is serving a 60-year sentence.

Kye Hardison and Hosea Jackson were convicted in separate sexual assaults of hotel housekeepers.

Hardison is serving 54 years in the brutal rape of one woman.

Despite the state arguing for prison time, Jackson was sentenced to three years' probation for locking Claridge Hotel housekeeper in his room and attacking her. She was able to break free, locking herself in a nearby room and calling for help.

Michael Hayes is serving 60 years for a violent Buena home invasion that included tracking one of the victim's cars for weeks.

Kevin Davis received 48 years for running a drug-production facility in Atlantic City.

Nathaniel Russell was convicted of stalking an Egg Harbor Township Municipal Court judge, and threatening to commit brutal acts of violence. He is serving an eight-year prison sentence.

Sean Lowney is serving 16 years in a gun case.

Quadir Webb is still awaiting sentencing after having a gun as an already convicted person.

The remaining convictions include Darlene Garrison for theft during the Atlantic City riot in 2020, a strangulation on a domestic violence victim conviction out of Hamilton Township by Quincy Copps, and Matthew Poore for a disorder persons offense.

Jury trials are the most effort intensive and time-consuming work for the office, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

A team of professionals works tirelessly to support the trial assistant prosecutor in navigating witness location and transportation, evidence, transcripts and legal obligations to convince 12 county residents that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The office vowed it will continue to aggressively fight to protect the residents and visitors of Atlantic County in 2024.

Weekly jury trials are scheduled through the month of April.

"It will remain the mission of this office to pursue justice for victims of violent crime while working to keep our streets safe," according to a statement from the office.

author

Lynda Cohen

BreakingAC founder who previously worked in newspapers for more than two decades. She is an NJPA award-winner and was a Stories of Atlantic City fellow.

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