Southern Ocean Co. Man Pleads Guilty To Stalking, Shooting Man: OCPO

TUCKERTON, NJ — A Tuckerton man has pleaded guilty to assault and stalking charges in a 2021 Little Egg Harbor shooting, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

On Jan 5., 2021 at about 7:30 p.m., Donald Rutter, 53, shot Thomas Jarvis, 55, in the stomach, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Rutter fled after the shooting and a warrant was issued for his arrest, Billhimer said. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and Tuckerton Police Department were unable to immediately find Rutter.

Jarvis was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and eventually released, Billhimer said.

On Jan. 28, 2021, the United States Marshals Service found Rutter in Atlantic City, and he has been sitting in Ocean County Jail ever since, Billhimer said.

Rutter pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and stalking. At the time of his sentencing on July 25, the state is seeking a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison for the aggravated assault charge subject to the No Early Release Act, and 18 months for the stalking charge, Billhimer said. These terms are to run cocurrently. The state is also seeking a stalking restraining order at the time of sentencing.

Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill and Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who are handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Tuckerton Police Department, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Rutter’s apprehension, guilty pleas and soon his state prison sentence.