By: Yuritza Arroyo
Ocean County officials said Mr. Deshoin Rowell, 21, of Northfield, pled guilty in Superior Court on November 16 to three separate indictments charging him with Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, calling for an aggregate five-year New Jersey State Prison sentence under the No Early Release Act.
According to Ocean County officials, after an extensive investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit from July 2019, Rowell was arrested after he distributed cocaine to an undercover police operative in the area of North Main Street in Pleasantville.
He will receive three years of State Prison for that offense.
Ocean County officials said, on December 30, 2019, Pleasantville Police responded to a ShotSpotter Alert in the area of West Wright Street and Chestnut Avenue.
According to Police, four rounds were fired by Rowell’s codefendant, Devon Williams, who has previously pled guilty to his involvement in the crime.
Police say, a .45 caliber Glock 30 semi-automatic handgun was located in Rowell’s bedroom that is believed to have been used in the shooting.
Officials said, Rowell will be sentenced pursuant to the Graves Act to five years State Prison, and he must serve three and one-half years before he is eligible for parole.
Lastly, on July 4, 2021, at a Northfield bonfire at Rowell’s residence, he deliberately poured the flammable liquid onto his victim's clothing, causing him to catch on fire.
According to officials, the victim was hospitalized and suffered first, second, and third-degree burns to his hands, arms, stomach, and inner thigh resulting in a lengthy recovery process.
Rowell is set to receive a five-year State Prison term wherein he must serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
Rowell is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2023.