Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 23, 2023, Jahvontae Debose, 26, of Lakewood, was sentenced by the Honorable Lisa A. Puglisi, J.S.C., to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Manslaughter, in connection with the shooting death of Dajour Randolph in Lakewood Township on February 21, 2021. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Debose will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Judge Puglisi also sentenced Debose to seven years NJSP with a five year period of parole ineligibility as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon. Additionally, Judge Puglisi sentenced Debose to seven years NJSP with a 42-month period of parole ineligibility as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Possessing a Firearm in the Course of Committing a Drug Offense. These sentences will run concurrently. Finally, Judge Puglisi sentenced Debose to seven years NJSP as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.  This sentence will run consecutively.  Debose pled guilty to all charges before Judge Puglisi on March 28, 2023.

On February 21, 2021, at approximately 7:40 p.m., Lakewood Township Police were summoned to the area of Tudor Court in response to a 911 call regarding a male who had collapsed in the middle of the road.  Responding Officers found Dajour Randolph, 20, of Little Egg Harbor, with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest.  Mr. Randolph was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, in Lakewood, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.  On February 22, 2021, the Ocean County Medical Examiner performed a post-mortem examination of Mr. Randolph’s body.  The Medical Examiner determined the cause of Mr. Randolph’s death to be multiple gunshot wounds, and ruled the manner of death to be homicide.

Debose was initially charged on February 23, 2021 with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm in the Course of Committing a Drug Offense, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon.   Debose was taken into custody without incident by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force in Pleasantville, New Jersey, following a motor vehicle stop on February 23, 2021.  He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his apprehension.

A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit between February 21, 2021 and February 25, 2021, revealed that Debose was, in fact, the individual responsible for Mr. Randolph’s death.  On February 25, 2021, Debose was served in the Ocean County Jail with the complaint charging him in connection with Mr. Randolph’s death.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman and Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center, Brick Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Pleasantville Police Department, and United States Marshals Service, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Debose’s apprehension, guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentences.