Following a cooperative investigation between the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and multiple law enforcement agencies, seven individuals were indicted Tuesday in connection to the murder of April Kauffman, as well as, conspiracy and racketeering, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.
“Tuesday, an Atlantic County Grand Jury took a critical step towards rendering justice to April Kauffman and her family. Ferdinand Augello was indicted for the murder of April Kauffman, racketeering and drug charges. This office looks forward to presenting the facts of this case to a jury for them to determine culpability for this heinous scheme,” Prosecutor Tyner said.
The following individuals have been indicted on the following charges:
1) Ferdinand Augello, 61, Petersburg,
1st degree Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network, 1st degree Racketeering
Murder (April Kauffman), Attempted Murder (James Kauffman), Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance
2) Joseph Mulholland, 52, Villas
1st degree Racketeering Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance
3) Beverly Augello, 47, Summerland Keys, FL, 1st degree Racketeering,
Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance
4) Glenn Seeler, 37, Sanford, NC
1st degree Racketeering, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance,
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance
5) Paul Pagano, 61, Egg Harbor Township
1st degree Racketeering, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance
6) Tabitha Chapman, 35, Absecon
1st degree Racketeering, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance
7) Cheryl Pizza, 36, SC, 1st degree Racketeering, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance
The investigation and arrests were the result of a joint operation between the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI, Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, Somers Point and Lower Township police departments and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.