Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on December 1, Carles Bryant, 36, of Millville, New Jersey, was sentenced by the Honorable Rochelle Gizinski, J.S.C., to 15 years New Jersey State Prison as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Attempted Murder, in connection with an incident that occurred at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Toms River on March 3, 2021. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Bryant will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Bryant pled guilty before Judge Gizinski on September 1, 2021.
On March 3, 2021, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the Howard Johnson Hotel on Hooper Avenue in reference to a 911 call regarding a physical altercation taking place in the lobby of the hotel involving a male and a female. When responding Officers arrived, they found a female victim – unresponsive with multiple apparent stab wounds to the head, face, and body. The female was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for her injuries and eventually released. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau resulted in Bryant being identified as the assailant responsible for the victim’s injuries.
On March 4, 2021, a warrant was issued for Bryant’s arrest. On March 19, 2021, Bryant was taken into custody in Atlantic City by the United States Marshals Service without incident. He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department, United States Marshals Service, New Jersey State Police, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Bryant’s apprehension, guilty plea, and lengthy state prison sentence.