TOMS RIVER – After a week-long jury trial, a Township man has been found guilty of threatening to shoot and kill a victim with a handgun, officials said.
Raphael Powell, 37, of Toms River, was found guilty of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun having previously been convicted of a No Early Release Act (NERA) Offense, Terroristic Threats, Possession of Hollow Nose Bullets, Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, and Possession of Fentanyl, all in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River Township on July 2, 2022.
Powell has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since July 3, 2022. At the time of his sentencing on March 1, Powell faces a sentence of 20 years to life in New Jersey State Prison.
On July 2, 2022, at around 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to help a man who had just been assaulted.
The victim told police that he was entering his home on Rory Road when a man approached him and asked him what he was doing in the area. The suspect then punched the victim in the face and removed a handgun from his waistband. The suspect proceeded to point the handgun at the victim and threatened to kill him.
According to police, another man appeared and the victim was able to leave the area.
Authorities later determined that Powell was the individual who struck and threatened the victim with the handgun.
On July 3, 2022, and he was taken into custody without incident. Law enforcement searched Powell and he was found in possession of a stolen handgun loaded with 17 rounds of hollow nose bullets. In addition, they found him in in possession of 30 wax folds of Fentanyl at the time of his arrest.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commends the diligence and dedication of Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr who ably and skillfully tried the case on behalf of the State. The Prosecutor likewise extends his gratitude to the Toms River Township Police Department and Berkeley Township Police Department for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this matter, leading to Powell’s swift apprehension – and ultimately resulting in today’s guilty verdicts.
