By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on October 27, Porfirio Serrano-Cruz, 40, of Seaside Heights, was sentenced by the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., to seven years in New Jersey State Prison, as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Assault in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred in Seaside Park on June 30, 2022.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that this sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Serrano-Cruz will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility.
Officials stated that Serrano-Cruz pled guilty to the charge before Judge Rahill on August 14, 2023.
According to officials, on June 30, 2022, at approximately 5:15 a.m., officers from the Seaside Park Police Department responded to a 911 call and went to a residence on O Street.
The caller stated that someone had broken into his residence and tried to kill him, officials say.
Responding Officers found a 39-year-old male victim with multiple stab wounds to the arms, chest, abdomen, and groin, officials said.
Officials say the victim was air-lifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries, and he was subsequently treated for his injuries and released.
Authorities say an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, and Seaside Park Police Department determined that Serrano-Cruz was the individual responsible for the stabbing of the victim.
Officials said on June 30, 2022, Serrano-Cruz was located in Seaside Heights and taken into custody without incident by Officers from the Seaside Heights Police Department.
He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension, officials stated.
