Man Pleads Guilty In Attack On Ocean County Woman

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Mercer County man has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and several other charges in connection with the slashing of a Jackson Township woman in May, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Michael S. Mahan, 38, of Ewing, pleaded guilty Wednesday to eluding, terroristic threats, aggravated assault and driving while intoxicated before Superior Court Judge Michael T. Collins, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

On May 8, Mahan followed a Jackson woman to her home, held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her, authorities said. He punched the woman in the face while holding the knife, slashing her face in the process, officials said.

A neighbor intervened and called 911, and Mahan took off. Police saw his vehicle on Toms River Road and began pursuit, with Mahan driving away at high speed, authorities said. As Mahan tried to navigate a turn onto West Veterans Highway, he struck a vehicle, but kept going at a high rate of speed on West Veterans Highway, where he hit another vehicle and forced it off the road.

Mahan’s vehicle traveled about 500 feet farther before it became disabled and Mahan was arrested. Blood drawn from him at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood confirmed his blood-alcohol level was .14 — nearly twice the legal limit under New Jersey law, Billhimer said.

The woman was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, and the people in the vehicles Mahan hit were treated at the scene for minor injuries, Billhimer said.

Mahan, who has been in the Ocean County Jail since May 8, is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 19, with prosecutors set to recommend 8 years in prison on eluding, and 5 years in prison on the terroristic threats and aggravated assault charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni handled the case on behalf of the state. Billhimer praised Jackson Township police, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their efforts in the investigation.

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