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ABOUT US On a cold winter's day, Jan. 25, 2009, NewJerseyNewsroom.com was founded when over 40 journalists came together at the Montclair Public Library and decided to create a news site — unlike any other — to address the growing journalism void. All we possessed was determination, experience and vision.  Despite a lack of financial backing, we pushed forward and a unique news organization was born. Our news organization invites everyone to join the mission of telling stories important to the people of New Jersey. Tell stories that shine a light on the dark places. This is journalism not funded by or beholden to corporations or wealthy individuals. We aim for a balanced, insightful take on the news and our goal is to provide a fresh, independent voice.     Join us at our social media web sites: Our Newsroom ♦ On Facebook On Twitter ♦ On Linkedin The majority of our founding journalists spent decades at The Star-Ledger of Newark. Combined, our experience ad...

By Alicia Cruz The New Jersey Newsroom A former Essex County Deputy Sheriff pleaded guilty Wednesday in Camden federal court to laundering money through a non-profit community program he believed was proceeds from a drug trafficking operation. According to a press release, while serving as a Sheriff's deputy Eric Hawkins, of Union, New Jersey met with an undercover police officer posing as a broker who laundered money for a drug dealer. The two men entered into an agreement where Hawkins would launder the money from drug trafficking activity, listing the cash as a “donation” to the non-profit organization he owned, Urban Community Unification Inc. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said Hawkins accepted a total of $155,000 and laundered the money through his non-profit's bank account. He returned a portion of the cash to the undercover cop, minus a 5 percent fee. Hawkins guilty plea carries a 20 year prison sentence and $250,000 fine. His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Decembe...

By Alicia Cruz The New Jersey Newsroom A Camden man arrested in 2009 for carrying a loaded weapon was found guilty Wednesday of illegal possession of a loaded handgun by a federal jury following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle. Shawn Coleman was found guilty on the sole count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman. Lindenwood police happened upon the 36-year-old man after receiving a citizen complaint at the Pine Ridge Apartments on November 5, 2009. When the officers arrived, they found Coleman asleep in the front seat of an SUV with its engine running and headlights on. Sig Sauer Model P229 .40 caliber After entering the car to check on the defendant, responding officers observed a Sig Sauer Model P229 .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, similar to the one pictured to the left sitting in the open center console of the vehicle. The gun's serial number had been obliterated and it was loaded. When Coleman is se...

BY ALICIA CRUZ NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM Police have arrested three people they believe are responsible for the brutal murder of rising New York rap star, Kampane Stoute, including a woman reported to be the girlfriend of the alleged shooter. The artist, whose real name is Rhian Stoute, was shot several times in the head and torso before his body was set afire in a vacant home in Englewood last week. Full Article Here