Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 15, 2024, Noah Phelps, 24, of Monroe Township, was charged with Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in connection with an incident that occurred in Jackson Township on June 27, 2024. On that same date, Glenn Franzson, 32, of Jackson Township, was charged with Witness Tampering and Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering in connection with the same incident.
On June 27, 2024, at approximately 12:20 a.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of Larsen Road for a report of a male having suffered a gunshot wound. Responding Officers found a 27 year-old male with a gunshot wound to his face. The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries; he was treated and subsequently released.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, revealed that the victim and a female were sitting in a parked vehicle outside of a residence on Larsen Road. A blue sedan then parked in front of the vehicle – blocking it in. Two males exited the blue sedan, approached the vehicle and knocked on the window. As the victim was exiting the vehicle, one of the assailants began to strike him. During the assault, one of the assailants shot the victim in the face. The assailants then fled the area.
Further investigation revealed that Michael Vulpis, 26, of Freehold Borough, was the individual who shot the victim. On July 3, 2024, Vulpis was taken into custody at his residence without incident, and charged with Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his arrest.
Continuing investigation revealed that Phelps was the second assailant involved in the attack on the victim, and that Phelps and Vulpis conspired to attack him. As such, on August 15, 2024, Phelps was charged with Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder; a warrant for his arrest was issued, and his name was entered in the National Crime Information Center database. On August 16, 2024, Phelps surrendered himself to the Freehold Township Police Department. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
During the course of the investigation, Detectives determined that Franzson and Vulpis conspired to contact the victim of the attempted murder in an effort to have the victim give a false statement to law enforcement in reference to the investigation. As a result, Franzson was charged with Witness Tampering and Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering. On August 15, 2024, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on Franzson’s residence. As a result, Detectives seized a quantity of Methamphetamine and a Polymer 80 handgun (ghost gun) with a high-capacity magazine. Franzson was taken into custody at the residence without incident. During a search incident to his arrest, Franzson was also found to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine. As a consequence, Franzson was additionally charged with Possession of a Weapon Without a Serial Number, Possession of a High-Capacity Ammunition Magazine, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Methamphetamine. Franzson was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
On August 16, 2024, Vulpis was additionally charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering. Vulpis was served with the charges on a complaint in the Ocean County Jail.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs/Intelligence/Homeland Security Squad, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Jackson Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Freehold Township Police Department, and Freehold Borough Police Department, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).