Jackson Township man pleads guilty to assault and weapons charges in two incidents

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TOMS RIVER, NJ — Charles Sharkey Jr., 35, of Jackson Township, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with two separate incidents earlier in 2023, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday. . Sharkey entered his plea before Judge Dina M. Vicari and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2024.

The charges against Sharkey stem from a serious motor vehicle accident on March 23, 2023, and an unrelated incident on March 12, 2023, in which he was found in possession of a handgun. Prosecutors will seek a 10-year prison sentence under the No Early Release Act for the aggravated assault charge, as well as a concurrent 10-year sentence, with five years of parole ineligibility, for firearms offences.

The March 23 crash occurred 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 grazed a 2016 Honda CRV, then struck a 2017 Subaru Impreza while attempting to turn left. The Impreza, containing an adult driver and three juvenile passengers, was pushed backwards and spun, while Sharkey’s Dodge Ram overturned and burst into flames.

Two of the juvenile passengers and the driver of the Impreza were treated for minor injuries at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and later released. A third minor was seriously injured and was hospitalized before being transferred to a rehabilitation center. The Impreza was heavily damaged, while a 2021 Lexus RX 350 was grazed and suffered minor damage in the collision.

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

In the 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 while intoxicated. During a search, officers discovered a .22 caliber handgun, which led to additional charges. Sharkey was initially released under bail reform in New Jersey, but remained in custody following his March 23 arrest.

The sentencing in December will mark the conclusion of a series of legal proceedings arising from the two incidents.