Howell Man Charged With Megan's Law Registration Failure

A former Toms River resident has been arrested and charged with a Megan’s Law violation after he moved to Howell Township and failed to notify authorities of his change of address, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said.

William E. Bennett, 34, was arrested Thursday by Detective John M. Argento and Detective Sgt. Michael V. Cecchini of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor’s office.

Megan’s Law registrants are required by New Jersey state law to notify the incoming and outgoing police departments of their intention to change their address within 10 days of doing so, Della Fave said.

This week, the Megan’s Law Unit of the Special Investigations Bureau of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into Bennett on the issue of failure to register. The investigation revealed that Bennett changed his address to Howell without registering out of the Toms River Police Department; Toms River was his last known listed address, Della Fave said.

Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels approved signing of the complaint authorizing the charge and set Bennett’s bail at $30,000 no 10 percent. He is currently being held in lieu of bail at the Ocean County Jail.

The maximum potential punishment on this third-degree crime is 5 years in state prison with up to a $15,000 fine, Della Fave said.

Anyone with relevant information should contact Detective John M. Argento at (732) 929 2027 extension 2903. The information may be given anonymously.