Superior Court Grand Jury Indictments, April 28

COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury indicted Kristen Schwakoff, 25, of North Wildwood with “Knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death,” a second-degree offense April 28. Samuel Caraballo Jr., 22, of Woodbine, was one of two pedestrians allegedly struck by a car driven by Schwakoff on Route 47 in Green Creek Aug. 24, 2014.
The accident propelled Caraballo into the air and into the back seat of the vehicle. Schwakoff allegedly left the scene and a witness followed the vehicle. The witness repeatedly used a car horn to signal Schwakoff to stop which she did near Cape May County airport.
Schwakoff was initially charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury. Caraballo’s death Aug. 31 raised the offense to leaving an accident involving death and moved it from third to second degree.
The grand jury also indicted Anthony F. Torella, 59, of Wildwood, on four separate charges related to an incident that occurred March 3 in Wildwood. Torella allegedly “did attempt to cause serious bodily injury to Brenda Figueroa.” Figueroa, 53, sustained a cut to her hand.
Torella was charged with aggravated assault, second degree, along with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The weapon in question was a cleaver, which Torella allegedly had “with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another.” Torella was also charged with possession of a weapon he was not allowed to carry after having already been convicted of aggravated assault in the past.
Shane P. Mullin, 23, of Cinnaminson, was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault related to an incident on June 29, 2014 in North Wildwood. The indictment alleges that Mullin caused significant bodily injury to another. Mullin is also charged with resisting arrest by “using or threatening to use physical force or violence against” an officer making a lawful arrest.
The grand jury indicted Jennifer L. Flack for possession with “Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.” Flack was arrested in Middle Township Jan. 14 when she “did unlawfully and knowingly or purposely possess with intent to distribute heroin.” The quantity of heroin was less than half an ounce making it a Schedule I, third degree offense.
Joseph A. Monzo, 19, of Cape May, was indicted for burglary, third degree, and theft, third degree. The indictment was for an incident that occurred Dec. 24, 2014 when Monzo allegedly unlawfully entered Collier’s Liquor Store at 202 Jackson Street in Cape May and took “moveable property with a value in excess of $500.”
Following the burglary, Cape May police distributed a security camera photograph of a suspect taken from inside the store. Monzo was arrested Jan. 10.
The individuals are only charged with the offenses and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.