Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on January 10, 2025, Quamel Benton, 36, of Farmingdale, was sentenced by the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Attempted Kidnapping. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Benton will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Additionally, Judge Palmer sentenced Benton to five years NJSP as to each of his previously entered guilty pleas to two counts of Eluding, as well as 18 months NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Criminal Sexual Contact. The sentences are all in connection with a series of incidents that occurred on March 21, 2024 – continuing into the early morning hours of March 22, 2024 – in Lakewood and Toms River. The sentences as to the Attempted Kidnapping charge and one of the Eluding charges will run concurrently; the sentences as to the Criminal Sexual Contact charge and the second Eluding charge will run consecutively. Judge Palmer also imposed mandatory fines and penalties, as well as a suspension of Benton’s driving privileges as a consequence of his guilty plea to Driving While Intoxicated, which occurred at the time of his sentencing on the criminal charges. Benton pled guilty to all criminal charges before Judge Palmer on October 21, 2024.
On March 21, 2024, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the area of Forest Park Circle for a report of an attempted kidnapping. Responding Officers learned that a male suspect driving a smaller model white SUV had attempted to pull a teenage girl into his vehicle. The victim was able to break away from the suspect and ran back to her residence; the suspect then fled the area in his vehicle. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department resulted in law enforcement obtaining a description of the suspect as well as the vehicle he was operating.
On March 21, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Toms River Police Officers responded to the Target parking lot on Hooper Avenue in Toms River for a report that a female had been sexually assaulted. Responding Officers learned that a male suspect had approached a female victim and grabbed her in an inappropriate manner. The suspect then fled the parking lot. Toms River Police Officers were able to identify and follow the suspect fleeing from the Target parking lot, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The suspect, who was traveling at a high rate of speed and driving erratically, entered the Garden State Parkway northbound. As such, Toms River Police Officers terminated the pursuit. The Officers were, however, able obtain the registration number for the vehicle. Officers thereafter learned that the individual believed to be operating the vehicle, Quamel Benton, was a person of interest in connection with an aggravated assault that occurred earlier on March 21, 2024 in Willingboro Township, Burlington County. Through continuing investigation, law enforcement was able to confirm that the description of the suspect in both the Lakewood and Toms River incidents matched that of Benton.
On March 22, 2024, at approximately 12:40 a.m., Toms River Township Police were notified that a male suspect was attempting to enter a vehicle occupied by a female. Toms River Township Police Officers responded to the scene, which resulted in the Officers positively identifying Benton as the suspect trying to enter the vehicle. Benton attempted to flee the area; a motor vehicle pursuit ensued, which ultimately resulted in Benton losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a utility pole in the area of Route 70 and Whitesville Road. A foot pursuit then ensued, and Benton was subsequently apprehended and taken into custody.
A thorough investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, identified Benton as the individual responsible for the incidents in Willingboro, Lakewood and Toms River. Additionally, Benton was charged by the Willingboro Township Police Department with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Endangering an Injured Victim, and five counts of Neglecting a Child, in connection with the incident that occurred on March 21, 2024, in Willingboro, Burlington County. Benton has been lodged in the Burlington County Jail since his apprehension.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Forensic Services Unit, Willingboro Township Police Department, and New Jersey State Police, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation – ultimately leading to Benton’s apprehension, guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentence.