5 Juveniles and 2 Adults Charged With Murder In Essex County

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday that two adults and five juveniles have been charged in connection with four recent homicides in Essex County.

Felipe Amaral, 25, of Newark has been charged with the murder of Dario Rodrigues, 64, of Newark. According to the ECPO, Rodrigues was fatally stabbed on July 3, on Somme Street in Newark. Amaral was taken into custody by detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI Fugitive Task Force on July 31, and charged with murder, felony murder, burglary and weapons offenses. He is being held on $1 million bail at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.

Lance Herbert, 24, of Jersey City has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting death of Karieem Stamps, 46, of Newark. Herbert was arrested on July 30 for the June 24, killing of Stamps on South 16th Street in Newark. In addition to aggravated manslaughter, Herbert is also charged with weapons offenses. He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility on $500,000 bail.

Four unnamed juveniles have been charged with aggravated assault in connection with the death of Ryan O. Edwell, 38, of East Orange. Edwell was shot on July 16 on Princeton Street in East Orange. He died ten days later on July 26. East Orange Police have arrested a 17-year-old, two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old. They have been charged with aggravated assault.

In a separate case, a 17-year-old from Newark has been charged in connection with the murder of Qua-Shawn Chaney, 32, of Newark. Chaney was shot on July 17. Last week Jessie McNeil, 22, of Newark and two 17-year-olds were arrested for Chaney’s murder.

At this time, there is no indication that any of these homicides are related, authorities stated.

Anyone with information about these homicides or any other homicides in Essex County should contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-847-7432 or 1-877-TIPS-4-EC.