Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 15, 2026, Marian Rojas, 34, of Jackson Township, pled guilty before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to Aggravated Assault in connection with an incident that occurred on October 24, 2025, in Jackson Township. At the time of her sentencing on August 24, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison, which will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
On October 24, 2025, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to a residence on Jackson Pines Road for a report of a gunshot victim. Responding Officers discovered a 79-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. The victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of minor injuries and subsequently released. Further investigation revealed that Rojas was the individual that shot the victim and fled the scene. A description of Rojas and the vehicle she was operating were broadcast to surrounding towns. At approximately 10:00 p.m. on October 24th, Manchester Township Police effectuated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle matching the description of Rojas’ vehicle – with Rojas as the operator. Rojas was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she has been detained since that date.
“This plea agreement was reached only after extensive discussions with the victim who expressed an unequivocal desire to extend mercy to this defendant,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “But for the victim’s compassionate and forgiving nature, this plea agreement would have never been contemplated by the State – let alone approved. This defendant should consider herself very fortunate that the victim – in a show of tremendous empathy – requested that this case be resolved in this manner,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State and commends the Jackson Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their efforts in connection with this investigation.