Lakewood Police Shooter Sentenced to 45 Years

A Lakewood man was sentenced to 45 years in prison after the 2009 shooting of multiple police officers.

Judge Francis R. Hodgson, Jr. sentenced Jaime Gonzalez, 43, of Lakewood to 45 years, with no chance of parole until 29.5 years of his sentence is served, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

“Today’s sentencing rids society of a truly callous individual,” Coronato said.

The Lakewood Police Department Entry Team executed a court-authorized no-knock search warrant of Gonzalez’s home on Mackenzie Court just after 2 a.m. Sept. 24, 2009, the Prosecutor’s Office said. The search warrant was obtained because Gonzalez was being investigated involving his sale of illegal controlled dangerous substances.

Upon hearing the police officers entering, Gonzalez pulled a stolen five-shot 357-caliber revolver from his waistband and opened fire in the direction of the police officers, the Prosecutor's Office said. A firefight between Gonzalez and the police ensued.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, police officers were yelling, “Police, police, stop shooting, put down the gun.”

Gonzalez was taken into custody once the shooting ended, the Prosecutor’s Office said.

Lt. Greg Myer suffered a bullet wound to his foot. A bullet struck Sgt. Louis Sasso in his upper chest, but was stopped by his bulletproof vest. Officer John Wilson suffered a bullet wound to the head resulting in permanent loss of vision in his left eye.

In addition to Myer, Sasso and Wilson, the entry team consisted of Lakewood Township Police Officers Leroy Marshall, Leonard Nieves, Sr., Robert Lopez, Jason Diffoot, Sergeant Glenn Clayton, Robert Desimone, Eric Mench and Leonard Nieves, Jr.

“I commend these dedicated officers for their heroic response under fire and their selfless service to the citizens of Ocean County,” Coronato said.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, on Feb. 15, 2013, an Ocean County Jury found Gonzalez guilty of the following: Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Leroy Marshall; Attempted Murder of Leonard Nieves, Sr.; Attempted Murder of John Wilson; Aggravated Assault by Causing Bodily Injury to John Wilson; Attempted Murder of Robert Lopez; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Robert Lopez; Attempted Murder of Jason Diffoot; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Jason Diffoot; Attempted Murder of Louis Sasso; Aggravated Assault by Causing Bodily Injury to Louis Sasso; Aggravated Assault by Causing Bodily Injury to Glenn Clayton; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Robert DeSimone; Attempted Murder of Erick Menck; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Erick Menck; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Greg Myer; Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm at John Wilson, Robert Lopez, Louis Sasso, Glenn Clayton and Greg Myer; Fortifying 1154 Mackenzie Court for the Purpose of Illegal Drug Activity; Possessing a Firearm While Engaged in Certain Drug Activity; Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose; Receiving Stolen Property; Possession of 5 Ounces or More of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Cocaine; Possession of 3-4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine; Possession of Alprazolam; Possession of 50 Grams or More of Marijuana; Possession With Intent to Distribute 1 Ounce or More, But Less Than 5 Pounds of Marijuana; and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.

Ocean County Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michel A. Paulhus prosecuted the case investigated by the Lakewood Police Department, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Federal Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Gonzalez was immediately turned over to the Ocean County Jail to begin serving his sentence.