The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 12 - No. 31
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 14
Classifieds Page 18
Inside The Law Page 17
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FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE: An Officer’s Fight For Change After Sexual Assault
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – As a sergeant with the Ocean County Sheriff ’s Office, Shannon Dugan has heard her share of harrowing stories during her time assigned to the courthouse. But nothing could have prepared her for the trauma she suffered herself. Now, a survivor of sexual assault, Dugan is transforming her experience into a powerful platform for change, advocating for safer environments in places where people should feel most secure. Dugan’s ordeal began in April 2016 during a work trip to St. Louis, Missouri. She stayed at the Hyatt Regency, where a hotel security guard used a master key to enter her room and assault her as she slept. The man, David Allen White, instead of facing a criminal trial, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and burglary and is now a registered sex offender. The incident left Dugan reeling, but the aftermath, the handling of the case by the hotel, and the discovery of negligent hiring practices by Hyatt would ultimately fuel her determination to seek justice. “I came forward because something has to change,” Dugan said.
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Sergeant Shannon Dugan as she appeared in a recent interview to discuss her plans to help others as a result of her own sexual assault by a hotel security guard. “If I didn’t go to the police that day, he could have continued. People think they’re safe in hotels, but they’re not always.” Holding Hyatt Accountable Dugan agreed to an interview on the condition that she would not be requested to recount
the traumatic details of her assault. Her healing journey has already suffered the perils of re-victimization of the event from the moment she reported the incident to hotel staff. “When I went to them and told them that someone was in my (Officer’s - See Page 4)
February 1, 2025
Officials: Beware Fake Texts From Toll Companies
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – No, you don’t owe money to EZPass or whatever other toll company you got a text about. Officials are warning you to ignore those texts, or report them. The text tells you to pay your tolls by a certain day to avoid a fi ne and risk losing your license. Then it directs you to a bogus website where it records your information and demands payments. Sometimes the sender claims they are from EZPass. Lately, a lot of these spam texts come from “FastTrak.” FasTrak is the company that monitors tolls in California. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority said they first learned of the scam on April 11, 2024. “This scam does not appear to target New Jersey E-ZPass customers. The bogus text messages are being sent to phone numbers in New Jersey area codes regardless of whether the recipients are E-ZPass account holders,” they said. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) noted that they’ve been getting reports about these scams since March of 2024. The details change, but the scam is still the same. They suggest you delete the texts at a minimum. If you’re interested in filing a complaint, you can visit ic3.gov, and fi ll out information on that site. You must include the phone number that sent you the (Fake Texts - See Page 20)
County Leadership Joined By New Commissioners
Photo courtesy Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace is sworn in by Manchester Business Administrator (and former Ocean County Clerk) Carl Block as his wife Deanna holds the Bible.
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Ocean County Deputy Commissioner Director Frank Sadeghi led the board for a second time at its January 15 meeting, stepping in for Director Jack Kelly. Clerk of the Board Michelle I. Gunther announced Kelly’s absence was due to personal reasons. This is Sadeghi’s second year as a commissioner, albeit his first elected
position. Director Jack Kelly and Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines are seasoned members of the board. All five members, including newly elected Commissioners Robert Arace and Jennifer Bacchione, are Republicans. Sadeghi was somewhat reserved at public meetings during his first year, although he became a familiar face at various events throughout the county (Commissioners - See Page 5)
Photo courtesy Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione is sworn in by former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno as her husband Berkeley Mayor John Bacchione holds the Bible.
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