JACKSON — A Jackson man has been sentenced to three years in state prison for burglary and 18 months for violating a restraining order in connection with a 2024 break-in and assault, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Friday.
Manuel Fernandez, 40, was sentenced Aug. 8 by Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer. The burglary term is subject to the No Early Release Act, requiring Fernandez to serve at least 85% of his sentence before parole consideration. Both sentences will run concurrently. Fernandez pleaded guilty to both charges June 18.
Authorities said that at about 1:40 a.m. May 31, 2024, Jackson police responded to a Buttonwood Drive home after a report of an unlawful entry. Officers found Fernandez inside the home of his wife, who had an active temporary restraining order against him. Investigators said he kicked down her bedroom door and assaulted her before she was able to fight him off and call police.
Fernandez was arrested at the scene and has been held at the Ocean County Jail since that date.
Billhimer credited Senior Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Toscano, Assistant Prosecutor Genna Moscato, and the Jackson Township Police Department for their work in securing the conviction and sentence.
