Missing Somerset County Waterman Found Deceased Near Deal Island (2024)

JACKSON, NJ – Sebastian Rivera, a former Rutgers wrestling standout, has been honored as the flag bearer for Team Puerto Rico at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. Rivera will lead his team during the opening ceremony, which is scheduled to air on Friday, July 26, at 1:30 p.m. ET on various NBC platforms.

Rivera, who will compete in the men's freestyle wrestling at 65kg, earned this role after capturing a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. He is set to enter the Olympic competition as the No. 4 seed, with events starting on Saturday, Aug. 10.

The Toms River born native, and Jackson resident concluded his collegiate career with an impressive 30-1 record in his final season at Rutgers, culminating in a third-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Detroit.

This achievement marked him as one of only four Rutgers wrestlers to secure a top-three finish at nationals.

Throughout his university tenure, Rivera distinguished himself as a five-time All-American and a two-time Big Ten Champion. His collegiate achievements include 115 career wins, with significant success at both Northwestern and Rutgers, emphasizing his dominance with 14 technical falls and 25 bonus point wins in his final season.

CUMBERLAND, MD – Shauwn Kirby Layton, 53, of Cumberland, was arrested yesterday evening by the Cumberland City Police for multiple offenses at a local business. The incident occurred around 5:45 PM in the 100 block of Baltimore Street.

Responding to reports of a disturbance, police arrived at the scene to find Layton behind a counter not accessible to customers, consuming an unpaid drink and verbally confronting the staff. Despite initial resistance, Layton complied with police commands and was taken into custody without further complications.

Layton faces charges including trespassing on private property, disorderly conduct, theft under $100, and failing to obey a lawful order. He is currently held at the Allegany County Detention Center, awaiting a hearing before a District Court Commissioner.

NEWARK, NJ – In a significant move aimed at addressing systemic inequities within New Jersey's criminal justice system, Governor Phil Murphy has enacted Executive Order No. 362. This new directive accelerates the clemency application process for individuals with non-violent convictions and those subjected to excessive trial penalties, focusing on assisting communities of color.

Governor Murphy highlighted the timing and importance of the order in relation to the Juneteenth celebrations, emphasizing its role in the state's commitment to racial justice for Black and Brown communities. “This new clemency initiative is a cornerstone of our Administration’s efforts to make New Jersey the State of Second Chances," Murphy stated.

The order also establishes the first-ever Clemency Advisory Board in New Jersey, tasked with reviewing clemency applications and advising the governor. The board comprises individuals from diverse criminal justice backgrounds, including legal professionals, a university professor, and a police chaplain.

Officials including Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Lt. Governor Tahesha Way supported the initiative, acknowledging its potential to significantly impact the lives of affected individuals by offering them a fresh start and easing the operational burdens on state correctional facilities.

Celebrated advocate and REFORM Alliance Co-Chair, Robert "Meek Mill" Williams, also commended the initiative. He reflected on his personal experiences with clemency, underscoring the profound effect such measures can have on individuals and their families. "Governor Murphy’s actions today are bigger than a new program or correcting a handful of injustices. This is an entirely new approach to clemency that is going to cut red tape and restore hope, dignity, and opportunity," Williams said.

This initiative marks a continuation of Governor Murphy’s broader reform agenda, which aims to provide more equitable opportunities and rehabilitative support to justice-involved individuals in New Jersey.