By: Yuritza Arroyo
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on April 4, Deshaun Porter, 29, of Newark, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault, two counts of being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon For an Unlawful Purpose in connection with incidents that occurred on November 3, 2020, and November 6, 2020, in Toms River.
According to officials, at the time of his sentencing on June 2, the State will be recommending a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Aggravated Assault charge - subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, five years NJSP with five years of parole ineligibility as to each of the Certain Person charges, and five years NJSP with a parole ineligibility period of 42 months as to the Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose charge.
Officials say the sentences are to run concurrently.
On November 6, 2020, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department were summoned to an apartment on James Street for a report of a female victim being held against her will by a male suspect, later identified as Porter, with whom she had been in a relationship.
According to Police, officers arrived on the scene at approximately 9:00 a.m., at which time Porter fled the apartment.
Police say responding Officers determined that Porter arrived at the apartment at approximately 4:00 a.m., held the female victim at gunpoint, and refused to allow her to leave.
Further investigation revealed that the events at the apartment on James Street originated as a result of an earlier incident that occurred on November 3, 2020, at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel in Toms River.
According to authorities, on that date, Porter forced his way into a hotel room, threatened the occupants with a handgun, and struck the same female victim in the face.
Authorities said on November 6, 2020, a warrant was issued for Porter’s arrest, and his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center Database.
On December 9, 2020, Porter was taken into custody in Atlantic City by the United States Marshals Service, Atlantic City Metro Task Force, and New Jersey State Police.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his apprehension.
