Long Branch Man Gets 30 Years For Killing Man On His Porch

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A Long Branch man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the shooting death of another city man in 2017. Jeffrey Williams was convicted Oct. 4 for the killing of Hector C. Mejia, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.

Williams and several others were hanging out near the corner of Central Avenue and Liberty Street when they saw a man asleep on a front porch on July 16, 2017. While one of the men attempted to steal from Mejia, he woke up, the MCPO said. Then Williams, 31, pulled out a handgun and shot him, according to authorities.

Mejia's estranged wife came home and found him dead on the porch 20 minutes later. She called 911 and told police that Mejia came over to drop off money for her and their kids.

Mejia, 47, was pronounced dead on the scene. Williams was arrested four days later.

Williams was convicted of felony murder, reckless manslaughter, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful weapon possession.

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