Ocean County authorities reported that Donald Rutter, 53, of Tuckerton, was sentenced by the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, J.S.C. (retired and temporarily assigned on recall), to five years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Assault in connection with an incident that occurred during the evening hours of January 5, 2021, in Little Egg Harbor Township.
Authorities said this sentence would be subject to the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, meaning that Rutter will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before being considered for parole eligibility.
Judge Daniels also sentenced Rutter to 18 months NJSP as a result of his guilty plea to Stalking in connection with the same incident.
The sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, Judge Daniels executed a Permanent Stalking Restraining Order barring Rutter from having any contact with the victim, Thomas Jarvis, 55, of Little Egg Harbor. Rutter confessed to both charges before Judge Daniels on June 13, 2022.
According to authorities, on January 5, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Little Egg Harbor Township Police were dispatched to Jarvis Marine on Radio Road in response to a 911 call about an individual being shot.
Responding Officers found Mr. Jarvis with an apparent gunshot wound to his midsection. Mr. Jarvis was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. He was treated for his injuries and eventually released from the hospital.
Over a dozen law enforcement agencies were unsuccessful in locating Rutter in the aftermath of the shooting.
As such, a warrant was issued for Rutter’s arrest. On January 28, 2021, Rutter was ultimately located in Atlantic City and taken into custody, without incident, by the United States Marshals Service.
He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.