TOMS RIVER – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Juan Santiago-Rojas, 31, of Point Pleasant Borough, pled guilty to attempted murder on August 18 before Superior Court Judge Dina M. Vicari in connection with a 2022 assault.
Santiago-Rojas admitted to attacking a woman at a Butler Avenue home in Point Pleasant on August 22, 2022, leaving her unconscious with serious head and neck injuries. She was hospitalized and later released.
The defendant fled after initially being charged with aggravated assault. He was arrested in December 2023 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and extradited to New Jersey in January 2024. Further investigation revealed he strangled the victim to the point of unconsciousness, leading to the upgraded attempted murder charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 3, when prosecutors will seek a 10-year state prison term under the No Early Release Act.
Billhimer credited the efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office units, Point Pleasant Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, and Wilmington Police, in securing Santiago-Rojas’ capture and conviction.
