The HOWELL Times
Vol. 24 - No. 8
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Freehold Teacher Drove 500 Miles To Surrender, Judge Denies Release
Hello August BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 7-8
Dear Pharmacist Page 11
Inside The Law Page 11
Classifieds Page 13
Jesse L. Heubel By Stephanie Faughnan FREEHOLD – A Freehold Township High School teacher drove more than 500 miles back to New Jersey and surrendered after learning police were investigating allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage student. The decision to drive back weighed in Jesse L. Heubel’s favor, but it was not enough to persuade a judge to release him from jail. Heubel, 37, an Englishtown resident and longtime coach, will remain detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution while facing nine second-degree charges arising from more than 30 alleged sexual encounters with the student. Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux found that releasing Heubel could place the student,
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan the wife who reported him to police and Heubel himself at risk. Assistant Prosecutor Sevan Biramian of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau described the accusations as a months-long pattern in which Heubel allegedly used his position as a teacher to gain the student’s trust and manipulate her. “This wasn’t a one-time event,” Biramian said. “This was repetitive conduct that was long-term.” Wife’s Discovery According to evidence discussed during the July 22 detention hearing, Heubel’s wife found (Teacher - See Page 2)
Local Pharmacist Turns To Community For A Miracle
By Stephanie Faughnan JERSEY SHORE – For most of his career, Jay Greco has stood on the other side of the pharmacy counter, helping people understand their medications, manage illnesses and afford their care. Now, the 57-year-old Manahawkin resident and owner of Jersey Shore Pharmacy in Barnegat is the one waiting for help. Asked what frightens him most about living with a failing liver, Greco’s voice
grew emotional as he answered: “Having an expiration date.” Just weeks earlier, Greco said doctors gave him a stark assessment. Without a liver transplant, he could die within two to four years. The disease is already taking away pieces of the life he built around his family, including a 10-month-old grandchild and another grandbaby on the way. Greco is searching for a healthy adult willing (Miracle - See Page 12)
Photo courtesy Greco family Jay Greco is seeking a living liver donor after doctors told him he could have just two to four years to live without a transplant.
August 1, 2026
Local Woman’s $65K Loss Highlights Growing Scam Threat
By Stephanie Faughnan JERSEY SHORE – A Berkeley Tow nsh ip woman had already lost $25,000 after allowing someone posing as a Microsoft representative to access her computer. Three days later, the scammers called again. This time, the caller claimed to be with Homeland Secu r it y and offered to help recover her money. She was instructed to withdraw $40,000 in cash, place it in a black box and meet an “agent” in the parking lot of Luigi’s Deli in South Toms River. She followed the instructions and handed over the money. When the same person returned seeking another $19,000, Berkeley Township detectives and an investigator from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office were waiting. They arrested a man whom Mastronardy described as a Chinese national living in Mexico. “ He wa s put t i ng money in a fund,” said Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. “It was going to a Chinese gang.” Mastronardy shared the case as consumer protection officials f rom across New Jersey compared the
frauds and questionable business practices they’ve encountered. Their accounts showed how quick ly scams are evolving and why recovering money is often far more difficult than preventing losses. “This is happening every day as we’re speaking here,” Mastronardy said. “There are people being victimized in our county, in our state.” The discussion took place at the Toms River Yacht Club, where representatives from nine counties and state officials gathered for the annual summer meeting of the County and Municipal Consumer Agencies. Other attendees included Ocean County Commissioner Director Frank Sadeghi, Commissioner Samuel Ellenbogen and Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd. Ocean County Consumer Affairs Director Ronald Heinzman, who was recently re-elected president of the statewide association, hosted the m e e t i ng. Ne w Je rsey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, Senior Counsel Erin Whitty and State Division of Consumer A f fai r s Act i ng Director Jeremy Hollander were among those taking notes as (Scam - See Page 6)
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