Mercer Times

TRENTON — A state grand jury has voted not to file any criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding the death of Esteban DeJesus, Jr., 56, of Orlando, Florida, who was fatally shot in Jersey City by two Deputy U.S. Marshals on the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force on July 8, 2023.

Mr. DeJesus’ death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure these grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner, with appropriate transparency regarding the process, consistent with the directive.

The investigation included interviews, photographs, ballistics, and autopsy results from the medical examiner. This evidence was presented to a state grand jury. After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on May 20, 2024, and voted “no bill,” meaning jurors concluded no criminal charges should be filed against the two Deputy U.S. Marshals.

According to the investigation, members of the Task Force were in Jersey City to assist the Orlando City Police Department in locating and arresting Mr. DeJesus, who was wanted for murder and attempted murder in connection with a shooting of two victims on July 7, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. At approximately 11:10 p.m. on July 8, two Deputy U.S. Marshals and a state trooper assigned to the task force encountered Mr. DeJesus in the area of Jefferson Avenue. According to statements of the involved officers, Mr. DeJesus approached them armed with a machete, disregarding their commands to drop it. The two Deputy U.S. Marshals fired their service weapons, striking Mr. DeJesus. He was transported to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 11:44 p.m. The machete was recovered and secured as evidence.

A 2019 law requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity or while the decedent is in custody (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2)). It mandates that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if evidence supports an indictment against involved officers.

The grand jury is instructed on potential criminal offenses including criminal homicide offenses that could be brought forward and is also instructed on self-defense and other forms of legal justification as required by statutes.

A conflicts check was conducted pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and no actual or potential conflict of interest was found involving any individual assigned to this investigation. Prior to presentation to the grand jury, OPIA Executive Director Drew Skinner reviewed this investigation according to established policies and procedures.

At these investigations' conclusions per SOPs under Independent Prosecutor Directive guidelines OPIA determines whether any principal should be referred for administrative review following AG’s Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures standards; OPIA monitors such reviews ensuring timely completion taking necessary actions based upon results obtained.

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