Seaside Heights Resident Gets 7-Year Prison Term for Aggravated Assault
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has announced that Porfirio Serrano-Cruz, a 40-year-old resident of Seaside Heights, has been sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison. The sentencing was delivered by the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., as a result of Serrano-Cruz’s guilty plea to Aggravated Assault in connection with a stabbing incident that took place in Seaside Park on June 30, 2022. This sentence will be subject to the No Early Release Act, requiring Serrano-Cruz to serve at least 85 percent of his prison term before being considered for parole eligibility. The guilty plea was entered before Judge Rahill on August 14, 2023.
The incident occurred on June 30, 2022, at approximately 5:15 a.m., when officers from the Seaside Park Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a break-in and attempted murder at a residence on O Street. Upon arrival, the officers discovered a 39-year-old male victim with multiple stab wounds to his arms, chest, abdomen, and groin. The victim was immediately airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for medical treatment. After receiving treatment, he was subsequently released.
Following an extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, and Seaside Park Police Department, it was determined that Serrano-Cruz was the individual responsible for the stabbing. On the same day of the incident, Serrano-Cruz was located in Seaside Heights and apprehended without incident by officers from the Seaside Heights Police Department. He has since been held in the Ocean County Jail.
Prosecutor Billhimer expressed his appreciation for the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson, who handled the case on behalf of the State. He also commended the collaborative efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Seaside Park Police Department, Seaside Heights Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit. Their combined efforts led to the successful apprehension, guilty plea, and subsequent state prison sentence of Serrano-Cruz.
In an unrelated matter, the Department of Justice recently settled a lawsuit against Jackson Township for discriminatory ordinances targeting Orthodox Jewish religious schools. This settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and protect religious freedom in the community. The resolution of this lawsuit reflects a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and equality.
