DOVER — As previously reported in Morris Focus, Julian Morris, a member of the Dover High School Graduate Class of 2011, has been identified by the Birmingham Police Department as a person of interest. (Click here to read the previous article.)

Julian’s attorney, Victor Revill, Esq., issued the following press release on his client’s behalf.

“Mr. Morris is a college-educated veteran who faithfully served his country as a Marine. He has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions. Despite the false narratives that are being promulgated about him in this situation, he loved Deundray Cottrell and is currently grieving the death of his beloved one. Mr. Morris wants answers as well and is awaiting those answers after a thorough investigation has been completed. Under the advice of counsel, he will not be giving any further statements at this time.”

Editors Note: Mr. Revill did send Morris Focus a video showing Deundray Cottrell running through yards on the night of July 4, and Julian was nowhere in sight. The video indicates that Deundray was running from someone. Unfortunately, we cannot republish the video due to copyright infringement. Click here to watch the video.

Kassandra Stafford is organizing this fundraiser. She states, “Our family has suffered a profound tragedy. Julian’s beloved boyfriend of several years, Deundray Cottrell, was found dead in a shed near his sister’s home in Birmingham, Alabama. His death has been ruled a homicide, and we are beyond devastated.

Adding to our grief, the Birmingham Police Department has identified Julian as a person of interest. This has brought unwarranted attention and speculation, with people stating opinions as facts. Social media has only fueled these narratives, forgetting that the investigation is still ongoing.

We cannot mourn the loss of Deundray, whom we considered family, as we continually face accusations and innuendo. Julian has retained an attorney to protect his safety and well-being while the police search for answers.

Anyone who knows Julian knows that he is a caring and loving person. He is deeply suffering from the loss of Deundray and is unable to express his grief openly. As legal fees mount, we are reaching out for your support. We have established this fundraiser to help cover Julian’s legal expenses. Your contributions will not only help ensure Julian receives the legal representation he needs but will also help us find some stability amid the turmoil.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will be greatly appreciated. Your support and generosity will make a significant difference and help provide us with the strength to endure this ordeal.

Thank you for your kindness and understanding during this challenging time.”

Click here to donate via GoFundme.

DOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Town of Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney confirmed that Rony Oviedo-Buezo, 32, of Nashville, Tennessee, has been charged with acts of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, that occurred in Dover.

It is alleged that the defendant performed multiple sexual acts with a female child. The incidents remain under investigation, and no further information will be released.

As a result of the investigation, the defendant has been charged with two counts of first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(1), one count of second degree Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1(a)/2C:14-2(a)(1), one count of second degree Sexual Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b), one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child Sexual Conduct in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1), and one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child Abuse/Neglect in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(2).

The defendant was apprehended in Tennessee and subsequently extradited to New Jersey. Under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, the defendant has been detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.

Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in this investigation, including members of the Town of Dover Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

Anyone with information about this case can call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Child Endangerment Unit at (973) 285-6200.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, this defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

DOVER — The Health & Wellness Center proudly celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 13, attended by community members, local officials, and wellness enthusiasts. The event marks the beginning of a new chapter in promoting health and wellness within the community. Patricia Acevedo, MSN, A-GNP-C, owns the Health & Wellness Center located at Two East Blackwell Street.

Acevedo’s story began in the suburbs of Mexico City, where she and her sister were raised by their grandmother, who worked in a hospital kitchen, and her uncle, a cook. Her early ambitions ranged from attending a prestigious Mexican university to becoming a mechanical engineer and a professional woman. However, her journey into motherhood and prevailing cultural beliefs about female education at the time sidetracked her plans.

At 19, Acevedo moved to Dover, but unexpected circumstances led her back to Mexico. She made the difficult decision to return to Dover without her children to pursue her education and make them proud.

Feeling as though God had given her a second chance, Acevedo landed her first job as a staff nurse at a local hospital. “I saw the work of nurses who inspired me to become one. They reminded me of my grandmother,” she recalled. She earned her GED, received English tutoring at home, and was accepted into the County College of Morris nursing program, graduating in 2005. She even found a new love, Eddie, at the local hospital, who supported her and her dreams.

To become a visiting nurse at the local hospital, Acevedo needed to achieve her BSN, which she did in 2015 through the University of Saint Elizabeth. She was the speaker of her graduating class, with all her children cheering her on. “That was the moment I dreamt of,” Acevedo said. “That day, I made another promise… master’s degree, here I come.”

Acevedo felt supported immediately after applying to and being accepted by Seton Hall. She named faculty like Joyce Maglione and Eileen Moran as nursing leaders she admired and who believed in her. “The place I thought I could never attend now became my home. I was not going to disappoint them,” she said. “The skills I received at Seton Hall gave me the courage to care for my community. I felt confident as I received a high-quality education to implement in my daily process.”

Despite obstacles like the COVID-19 pandemic, Acevedo persevered and graduated in 2021. Along the way, she dreamt of creating a place for people to visit, be nurtured, be educated, and feel safe. “I knew God had plans for me, but I didn’t know what the plans were,” she said. After reflecting on her life and legacy, she began her career as a nurse practitioner, eventually landing positions in three different practices while keeping two per diem nursing roles.

As Acevedo focused on gaining skills and knowledge, she and her husband, Eddie, worked on a plan to open her practice. Though rare in New Jersey, Acevedo knew many nurse practitioner-run practices and wanted to join them. Despite challenges—from finding a location to securing business collaborators—she launched the Health and Wellness Center of NJ in Dover.

Acevedo hopes to see her business expand across New Jersey, making it a desired workplace for fellow nurse practitioners and a main resource in various areas. “One day, I will offer scholarships to adults who didn’t have the opportunity to become educated and wish to be in health care,” she said.

To current students and other healthcare professionals, Acevedo shared, “Not everyone understands the role of the nurse practitioner; thus, it’s our responsibility to educate them.” She urges others to find a supportive team to help turn their dreams into tangible goals. “Your dream is yours. Stay focused on your goals, and don’t let other people’s opinions or lack of knowledge make you doubt yourself,” she advised.

Acevedo’s story is a great triumph, showcasing how she built her future with determination and faith. Her journey proves her resilience and exemplifies the power of perseverance. Inspired by Frank Sinatra’s words, Acevedo exclaims, “The best revenge is a massive success, and I did it my way.”

You can reach Patricia Acevedo, MSN, A-GNP-C, by calling (973) 939-1150.

DOVER — On Saturday, June 29th, 2024, at approximately 2:10 a.m., Sergeant Boris Sanchez was parked in the front parking lot of Dover Dodge, 160 E Blackwell Street, monitoring vehicular traffic on East Blackwell Street.

Shortly after that, he heard the sound of a car horn, drawing his attention to East Blackwell Street and Mercer Street.

At that time, he observed a red pickup truck traveling eastbound on East Blackwell Street with a white Jeep Wrangler traveling directly behind it. He then saw the Jeep Wrangler suddenly pass the pickup truck on the right side and continue eastbound on East Blackwell Street, with the pickup truck now traveling directly behind the Jeep Wrangler.

After the vehicle passed his location, Sergeant Sanchez entered the roadway and began to pursue the Jeep Wrangler. As the Jeep Wrangler approached South Salem Street, it was in the dedicated right-turn lane when it abruptly moved from the turning lane and returned to East Blackwell Street without signaling to the pickup truck. As he passed the South Salem Street intersection, Sergeant Sanchez positioned his patrol vehicle behind the Jeep Wrangler and activated his emergency overhead lights.

The Jeep Wrangler failed to stop and continued traveling straight, during which Sergeant Sanchez observed it fail to maintain its lane by partially crossing over the double yellow centerline. The Jeep Wrangler finally stopped on East Blackwell Street at the intersection of Sammis Avenue.

Sergeant Sanchez approached the Jeep Wrangler from the passenger side and contacted the driver, Cristobal Rea, 40, Newark, who was the vehicle’s sole occupant. He introduced himself and explained the reason for the traffic stop, after which Rea indicated that he did not recall passing the pickup truck. When asked where he was coming from, Rea provided conflicting statements, suggesting that he was from Newark, coming from Newark and that he was coming from a friend’s house. When asked why he was in Dover, Rea stated that he and his friend were at a party “or something” but did not elaborate.

During the conversation, Rea exhibited signs of impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech. Dover Police Officer Fuentes and Officer Fenske arrived at the scene.

At that time, Sergeant Sanchez administered field sobriety tests, which he failed, and Sergeant Sanchez placed Rea under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated. Dover Police Officer Fuentes and Officer Fenske placed handcuffs onto Mr. Rae. During a search of the Jeep Wrangler for evidence, a brown, unsealed, and partially consumed alcoholic beverage (Buchanan) was located on the floorboard behind the passenger rear seat.

Rea eventually refused to provide breath samples for testing. The following summons was issued to Mr. Rea:

•Operating Under the Influence (39:4-50)
•Improper Passing (39:4-85)
•Consent to take breath samples (39:4-50.2)
•Reckless Driving (39:4-96)
•Failure to Keep Right (39:4-82)
•Traffic on Marked Lane – unsafe lane change (39:4-88B)
•Open Container (39:4-51B)
•Consume Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicle (39:4-51A)

He was released to a responsible adult with a court date of July 15.

Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.