Readers are reminded that not only are all individuals listed below presumed innocent unless proven guilty, but there may also be multiple individuals who share the same name, even in the same town.

COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury handed up 15 indictments Jan. 30. 

The abbreviation CDS below stands for controlled dangerous substance.  

A “certain person” charge can be brought against individuals whose previous convictions bar them from having weapons. 

Frank Craner was indicted on a single count of fourth-degree aggravated assault on a health care worker.

Charles R. Padilla faces two counts of aggravated assault, one in the second degree and the other in the third degree.

Malaina N. Arias was named in a three-count indictment for third-degree possession of a CDS, cocaine, along with two fourth-degree counts for obstructing the administration of law and impersonation.

Brent D. Woods faces a third-degree count of bail jumping for failure to appear after being charged with third-degree burglary.

Lnu Syedsofinanuddin and Mohammed Farazuddin were together indicted on five counts, including theft by deception, third degree, and attempted theft by deception, second degree. They also face third-degree theft, second-degree extortion and second-degree eluding police.

Joseph M. Pierce, Jennifer Cruz, Samuel Thomas and Brianna L. Thurston were individually and separately indicted for third-degree possession of a CDS. In all cases that was a single count except for Thurston who faces three counts. The drugs involved were buprenorphine, alprazolam, fentanyl, cocaine, para-fluorofentanyl and fentanyl xylazine.

Toni D. Young was named in a single-count indictment for second-degree robbery in Wildwood in August 2023.

Julio Rojas faces a three-count indictment for third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, along with two fourth-degree counts for certain person and unlawful possession of a weapon, a large kitchen knife. Rojas was convicted in 1999 of aggravated sexual assault.

Karl Kenstler was indicted for fourth-degree bail jumping after he failed to show for a hearing on charges of third-degree shoplifting.

Christopher J. Vesper faces a single count of fourth-degree criminal trespass related to a November incident in Wildwood Crest.

Ryan C. Maranda was indicted on two third-degree counts for theft and burglary in Dennis Township in May 2023.

Frank J. Golden faces a single-count indictment for third-degree making an offer conveying benefit to a public servant.