A statement from Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni:
In August 2013, our Office launched an operation called “Project: Stop the Violence,” a joint initiative with the United States Attorney’s Office designed to combat gun-related, violent crime occurring in Monmouth County. Last year, the Department of Justice launched “Project Guardian,” which incorporated many of the principles used to reduce violent crime in the legacy Project Stop the Violence.
The initiative prioritizes federal prosecution of the most violent offenders, typically those who belong to violent gangs or have extensive criminal histories. The most serious cases are adopted for federal prosecution where criminals often face longer jail sentences, have no possibility of parole, and serve sentences hundreds of miles away from Monmouth County. The touchstone of this project is the complete removal of violent offenders from the communities they plague.
This joint initiative continues to bear fruit with the successful charging and prosecution of several defendants in federal court. In October 2020, Rashon Alexander of Long Branch and Jakim Stradford of Neptune City each pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm; and in early December, Lashawn Alford of Asbury Park and Davon Harley of Neptune City were each charged with being felons in possession of firearms.
We are grateful to the United States Attorney’s Office – District of New Jersey for its partnership as well as its continued help and support in eradicating violent crime in Monmouth County.
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