Lakewood Man Indicted in Fatal Stabbing; Others Charged with Hindering Investigation

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the return of an indictment by the Ocean County Grand Jury against Steven Rosado, Fernando Reyes, Jonathan Rosado, Jennyfer Moncada and Zahid Evans. These charges are the result of a cooperative investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office,the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigations Unit into the homicide of Kevin Copes which occurred between the late evening hours of June 29, 2012 and the early morning hours of June 30, 2012 in Toms River. Mr. Copes, who was 24 years old, died as a result of injuries inflicted upon him with a sharp instrument.

Steven Rosado, age 21, of Warren Avenue in Lakewood is charged with first degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, both third degree crimes and obstructing the administration of law, a fourth degree offense. He is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $1 million dollars, cash only, bail set by the Honorable James M. Blaney, J.S.C. Mr. Rosado was apprehended in Florida on July 2, 2012 and subsequently returned to New Jersey to face these charges. The murder charge carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment. The sentence for a third degree crime is up to five years in New Jersey state prison. The maximum term of incarceration for a fourth degree offense is 18 months in state prison.

Fernando Reyes, age 19, of Stark Street in Lakewood is charged with the third degree offense of hindering the apprehension of another. He is charged with assisting and accompanying Mr. Rosado during the trip from New Jersey to Florida. Mr. Reyes has posted bail.

Jonathan Rosado, age 19, of Pinehurst Drive in Lakewood is charged with the second degree offense of hindering the apprehension of another. It is alleged that Jonathan Rosado purposely misled investigators who were attempting to locate his brother, Steven Rosado. His bail has been set at $100,000 no ten percent option by the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr.P. This second degree crime carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment. An indictment warrant was issued for Mr. Rosado’s arrest. He was taken into custody on March 27, 2013. At the time of his arrest on these charges, he was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

Jennyfer Moncada, age 19, of Pinehurst Drive in Lakewood is also charged with the second degree crime of hindering the apprehension of another. It is alleged that she also purposely misled investigators who were attempting to locate Steven Rosado. Her bail has been set at $100,000 no ten percent option by the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr.P. Ms. Moncada was taken into custody on the strength of an indictment warrant on March 27, 2013. She is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.

Zahid Evans, age 24, of Chatham Drive in Toms River is also charged with the second degree crime of hindering the apprehension of another. It is alleged that he purposely misled investigators concerning the identity of Steven Rosado after witnessing the encounter between Copes and Rosado which resulted in Copes’ death. His bail has been set at $100,000 no ten percent option by the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr.P.

Senior Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Laura Pierro is prosecuting the case.

Anyone who has any information concerning this case is asked to contact Detective John Carroll, of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, at (732) 929-2027 or Detective John Bajcic. of the Toms River Police Department, at (732) 349-0150. TLS.

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