Stewartsville Teen Charged in Connection with Greenwich Gunshots

UPDATE ADDITIONAL ARREST
JARED D. BENKA-COKER
STEWARTSVILLE, NEW JERSEY
AGE: 19

On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Jared D. Benka-Coker, was arrested and charged after a nearly month’s long investigation into the below shooting incident that occurred on June 7, 2025. Subsequent to the investigation, a search warrant was executed at 332 Hamilton Drive in Greenwich Township. As a result of the search, a loaded, 9mm untraceable ghost gun and 31 round, high capacity magazine were seized.

Benka-Coker was charged on a Complaint Warrant with the offenses below. The charges are the result of today’s search warrant, incidents surrounding June 7, and for his role in employing minors to commit crimes.

1. Employing a juvenile to commit a crime, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-9A, a crime of the second degree;
2. Possession of a large capacity magazine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3J, a crime of the fourth degree;
3. Conspiracy/Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, specifically an assault rifle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5F, a crime of the second degree;
4. Conspiracy/Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, specifically discharging an assault rifle in a residential area, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5- 2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1), a crime of the second degree;
5. Conspiracy/Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Devices, specifically armor piercing ammunition, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3F(2), a crime of the fourth degree;
6. Conspiracy/Possession of a large capacity magazine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5- 2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3J, a crime of the fourth degree;
7. Possession of a handgun under the age of 21, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:58-6.1, a crime of the fourth degree;
8. Endangering the welfare of children, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(2), a crime of the third degree;
9. Possession of a firearm without a serial number / ghost gun, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3N, a crime of the second degree.

Second degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in the New Jersey State Prison, third degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of (5) five years in the New Jersey State Prison, and fourth degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of eighteen (18) months in the New Jersey State Prison.

This is Benka-Coker’s third gun related offense since November, 2024. Previous criminal charges are pending against Benka-Coker stemming from (1) an incident in Greenwich on November 11, 2024; and (2) an incident in Phillipsburg on February 24, 2025. In the second matter, the State moved to detain Benka-Coker, but was denied and released under pretrial monitoring. This instant offense is in violation of that Release Order. The State will move to revoke his release.

Benka-Coker is currently lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center in Belvidere, New Jersey. The Court is anticipated to hear the State’s Motion for Pretrial Detention on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

The charges are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation was conducted by the Greenwich Township Police and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office. They were assisted by the Warren County Tactical Response Team, Phillipsburg Police Department, and the Washington Township Police Department’s K-9 Unit.

Acting Warren County Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone values the agencies involved in this investigation and encourages ongoing efforts, “the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, will continue to operate with coordinated and focused precision to keep our community safe. There is no place for illegal gun activity in Warren County. We are committed to using all available resources to hold individuals accountable and protect the peace of our communities.”

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On Saturday, June 7, 2025, at approximately 10:45 P.M., members of the Greenwich Township Police Department responded to the area of Dumont Road and Hamilton Drive in response to a 911 call from an individual hearing shots fired. Upon patrols arrival, law enforcement did not find any injured parties or damaged property. During the course of the investigation, an assault rifle, armor piercing ammunition as well as a large capacity magazine was recovered. One individual fled the scene. Two juveniles from Northampton County, PA were each charged with the following juvenile delinquency:

Juvenile XX, 14 years old:

1. Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, specifically an assault rifle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5F, a crime of the second degree;
2. Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, specifically discharging an assault rifle in a residential area, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1), a crime of the second degree;
3. Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Devices, specifically armor piercing ammunition, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3F(2), a crime of the fourth degree; and
4. Possession of a large capacity magazine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j, a crime of the fourth degree.

Juvenile YY, 17 year old:

1. Conspiracy/Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, specifically an assault rifle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5F, a crime of the second degree;
2. Conspiracy/Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, specifically discharging an assault rifle in a residential area, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1), a crime of the second degree;
3. Conspiracy/Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Devices, specifically armor piercing ammunition, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3F(2), a crime of the fourth degree; and
4. Conspiracy/Possession of a large capacity magazine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5- 2A(2) / N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j, a crime of the fourth degree.

Each complaint was approved on a warrant and the juveniles detained pending a Preliminary Hearing before a Family Court Judge. These charges are merely accusations. The juveniles are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and Phillipsburg Police Department K-9 Unit assisted the Greenwich Township Police Department with the investigation.

The Greenwich Township Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying additional individuals involved in the shooting incident. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Lazier (908) 454-1010.