Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 4, 2023, Samantha Massimino, 36, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., to five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as a result of her previously entered guilty plea to Manslaughter in connection with the death of Reinaldo Feliciano, Jr., 35, also of Toms River, in the early morning hours of October 24, 2020. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Massimino will be required to serve at least 85 percent of her prison sentence before she may be considered for parole eligibility. Massimino pled guilty to the charge before Judge Ryan on May 1, 2023.
On October 24, 2020, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Toms River Township Police Officers responded to a local residence following a 911 call requesting assistance in reference to a male victim having been stabbed. Responding Officers found Reinaldo Feliciano, Jr., with a stab wound to his leg. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Massimino and Mr. Feliciano – who had previously been in a dating relationship – became involved in a physical altercation at the residence. During the course of the argument, Massimino retrieved a knife and ultimately stabbed Mr. Feliciano in the leg. Mr. Feliciano was transported to Community Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 4:45 a.m. Massimino was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Ocean County Jail where she has been lodged since her arrest.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their outstanding and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Massimino’s guilty plea, and now her state prison sentence.