Crime
Wildwood Crest Man Arrested for Murder Following Deadly Shooting
Wildwood Crest, NJ – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Wildwood Crest Police Chief Robert Lloyd have announced the arrest of Carmine Neri, 63, in connection with the fatal shooting of Joseph Falciani.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at approximately 3:46 PM, officers from the Wildwood Crest Police Department responded to a residence on East Cresse Avenue following a 911 report of a gunshot victim.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the 911 caller, who was waiting outside and informed them that the suspect was still inside the residence.
Officers entered the home and encountered Carmine Neri standing in the front living room. A black and silver handgun was observed in Neri’s back right jeans pocket, which was immediately secured by law enforcement. Neri was taken into custody at the scene.
Further inside the residence, officers discovered Joseph Falciani lying on his back at the top of a staircase with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving efforts, Falciani was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Wildwood Crest Police Department launched an extensive investigation, including:
- Witness interviews
- Forensic evidence collection
- Execution of search warrants
Two witnesses present at the time of the incident told investigators that a verbal argument between Neri and Falciani escalated to the second floor of the residence.
Shortly after, a single gunshot was heard, and witnesses discovered Falciani lying at the top of the staircase while Neri was still holding a firearm.
Authorities searched the residence, recovering:
- A spent shell casing
- A projectile
- Multiple electronic devices
Investigators also noted that an office door near the shooting scene was locked and showed signs of being forcibly kicked in.
Based on the collected evidence, Carmine Neri has been formally charged with:
- Murder (First Degree)
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree)
- Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree)
Neri was transported to the Cape May County Correctional Facility, where he remains pending further legal proceedings.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland praised the dedicated efforts of law enforcement in resolving this case, stating:
“Their unwavering commitment to solving this heinous crime and ensuring accountability for the victim is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement in our community. This successful investigation is a direct result of their professionalism, perseverance, and teamwork.”
Authorities encourage anyone with additional information regarding this case to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office or Wildwood Crest Police Department.
Legal Disclaimer: All charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.