By: Richard L. Smith
Ocean County officials reported that on March 24, Mark Britt, 32, of Manchester Township, was found guilty of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in connection with an incident on July 23, 2019.
Ocean County Prosecutor Prosecutor Billhimer said after a week-long jury trial before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., the jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Britt utilized a handgun to threaten a female victim at a residence they shared in Manchester Township.
Prosecutor Billhimer said the jury also found Britt guilty of Harassment. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Palmer on May 19, 2023, when he faces up to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, with a parole ineligibility period of 42 months.
In the case, Prosecutor Billhimer said on July 23, 2019, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the female victim responded to the lobby of the Manchester Township Police Department, reporting that an act of domestic violence had occurred at her residence on Northampton Boulevard.
The victim related to police that she and her infant resided with Britt and his father at the residence.
According to Prosecutor Billhimer, an argument developed between the victim and Britt, and she decided to leave the residence with her child.
As she was placing the infant in her vehicle, Britt threatened the victim while he was holding a handgun.
Manchester Township Police Officers responded to the residence to investigate the matter. When questioned by the Officers, Prosecutor Billhimer said Britt denied the presence of a firearm at the home and consented to a search of his room.
During the search, Officers discovered ammunition and other evidence indicating the presence of a firearm. Britt then admitted to having guns at the residence and volunteered to surrender them.
Officers found that Britt had buried two firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories under a deck in his backyard.
Prosecutor Billhimer said Britt was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.