Ocean County Man Pleads Guilty To Charges In 2024 Domestic Dispute
Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ.- Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer reported that last Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Manuel Fernandez, 40, of Jackson Township, New Jersey, appeared in Ocean County Superior Court and pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer to Burglary and Contempt fot the Violation of a Domestic Violence Protect Order.
In return for the guilty plea, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will recommend at the time of sentencing that Fernandez be sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Fernandez to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole.
Judge Palmer Schedules Sentencing For August 8, 2025
Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Palmer accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for August 8, 2025. At that time, Judge Palmer will sentence Fernandez to the terms of the negotiated plea agreement, which includes five years in State Prison on the burglary charge and 18 months on the contempt charge, to be served concurrently with the five-year term.
The guilty plea stems from an incident that began on May 31, 2024, when, shortly around 1:40 a.m., members of the Jackson Township Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting that a man had illegally entered a home located on Buttonwood Drive in the Township.
Police Officers Learn Broke Into His Wife’s House
Upon arrival, Police Officers learned that the woman who resided at the residence was married to Fernandez and had obtained a Temporary Restraining Order against him. During the initial investigation, Responding Police Officers determined that Fernandez illegally broke into the residence, kicked down the woman’s bedroom door, and physically assaulted her.
Fernandez was taken into custody at the scene without incident and formally charged. After being processed on the charges, Fernandez was remanded to the Ocean County Jail and has remained in custody since his arrest.
