PRESS RELEASE-TWO NEW YORK MEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER IN LITTLE EGG HARBOR

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Little Egg Harbor Chief of Police Richard Buzby announced that Ademola Bostick, 24, of Bay Shore, New York, and Rajah Mayo, 20, of Freeport, New York, have been arrested and charged with the Attempted Murder of Charles Sortino in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), in Little Egg Harbor Township on April 3, 2020. Bostick was also charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1). Mayo was likewise charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1) relative to this incident.

On April 3, 2020, at approximately 11:45 p.m., Little Egg Harbor Township Police responded to a 911 call in reference to a male victim laying in the road on Center Street. Responding Officers found Mr. Sortino, 23, of Little Egg Harbor, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Atlantic City Medical Center where he is currently listed in critical condition.

An extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and the Little Egg Harbor Township Detective Bureau determined that Bostick and Mayo drove from New York to Little Egg Harbor where they shot Mr. Sortino several times with a handgun. Although investigation revealed that Bostick was the individual who, in fact, shot the victim, Detectives were able to determine that Bostick and Mayo acted together and in support of one another in carrying out the shooting. Bostick and Mayo were arrested early this morning by members of the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force at their respective residences in New York. Both men are pending extradition to Ocean County and upon their return they will be lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Buzby would like to acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Little Egg Harbor Police Department Detective Bureau, Tuckerton Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, New York City Police Department Highway Patrol, Suffolk County (New York) Police Department, Nassau County (New York) Police Department, Freeport (New York) Police Department, and United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force for their collaborative efforts in this investigation leading to the arrest of Bostick and Mayo. “I am beyond thankful for the hard-work and determination of all the officers involved in the apprehension of these two very dangerous individuals,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer. “This is a perfect example of what the brave men and women in law enforcement can accomplish when they work together toward achieving the common good,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.

The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.