Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on January 9, 2023, Michael Stallworth, 35, of Seaside Heights, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault before the Honorable Lisa A. Puglisi, J.S.C., in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred in Brick Township on July 26, 2021. At the time of his sentencing on February 24, 2023, the State will be recommending a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act,
On July 26, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Officers of the Brick Township Police Department responded to the parking lot of the ShopRite on Route 70 in Brick in response to a male victim having been stabbed in the parking lot. Responding Officers found a 44-year-old male victim with apparent stab wounds to his back. The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was treated for his injuries and released.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, resulted in Stallworth being identified as the individual who stabbed the victim and caused his injuries. On July 26, 2021, a warrant was issued for Stallworth’s arrest. Originally a fugitive from justice, Stallworth surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division on August 29, 2021, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Shanon Chant-Berry who is handling the case on behalf of the State as well as the 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, Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau and Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Stallworth’s apprehension, guilty plea and soon his state prison sentence.