A Jackson Township man pleads guilty to two counts of assault and possession of a weapon

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TOMS RIVER, NJ – Charles Sharkey Jr., 35, of Jackson Township, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, driving under the influence and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with two separate incidents that occurred earlier in 2023. , the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday. Sharkey entered an appeal before Judge Dina M. Vicari and is expected to be sentenced on December 20, 2024.

Sharkey’s charges stem from a serious car accident that occurred on March 23, 2023, and an unrelated incident that occurred on March 12, 2023, during which he was found in possession of a handgun. Prosecutors will seek a 10-year prison sentence under the Early Release Prohibition Act for firearms offenses, as well as a concurrent 10-year prison sentence with a five-year parole ban.

The accident occurred on March 23 around 4 p.m. at the intersection of Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue in Toms River. According to the investigation, Sharkey was driving a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 eastbound on Route 70 when he failed to stop at a red light. He struck a 2016 Honda CRV and then struck a 2017 Subaru Impreza while attempting to turn left. The party, which included an adult driver and three young passengers, was pushed backwards and spun around, while Sharkey’s Dodge Ram overturned and caught fire.

Two minor passengers and the driver of the Impreza were treated for minor injuries at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and later released. A third minor suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital before being transferred to a rehabilitation center. The Impreza was extensively damaged and the 2021 Lexus RX 350 was scraped and suffered minor damage in the collision.

Further investigation revealed that Sharkey had been driving erratically and using a mobile phone prior to the accident. Police determined that his driver’s license was suspended and that he had two active arrest warrants. The Dodge Ram was a rental vehicle that was taken without the renter’s consent. Sharkey was arrested at the scene and then transported to Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus for treatment. Blood tests showed the presence of methamphetamine.

In a separate incident on March 12, Jackson Township police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on North County Line Road. Officers found Sharkey slumped in the driver’s seat and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence. During the search, officers found a .22 caliber handgun, which led to further charges. Sharkey was initially released under New Jersey’s bail reform laws, but remained in custody after his March 23 arrest.

The December verdict will mark the end of a number of legal proceedings arising from both incidents.