Police say they have caught a fifth person in connection with the violent home invasion that killed a Cumberland County detective.
As of Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release that Byron Thomas of Paulsboro was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes.
Police shot and killed detective sergeant Monica Mosley in her Bridgeton home late on Tuesday, Oct. 15. She worked for the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Also charged with first-degree murder were Nyshawn Mutcherson, 29, of Vineland; Jarred Brown, 31, of Bridgeton; and Richard Hawkins Willis, 32, of Gloucester City.
She was charged with third-degree obstructing an investigation, fourth-degree tampering with evidence, and fourth-degree obstruction of justice. Cyndia Pimentel, 38, is from Paulsboro.
Thomas, 35, was arrested the next day by U.S. Marshals after being charged as a fugitive on Friday, November 1.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said, “This development shows how hard the police have been working on this case with no breaks.” “We are still determined to get justice for Detective Sgt. Mosley and her family.” All of the agencies working together was very important in bringing this case to light.
At around 10:30 p.m., someone called Bridgeton police to say that several people were kicking in the door of a house on the 600 block of Buckshutem Road. Police arrived and found Sgt. Mosley had been shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
That is how Sgt. Mosley, 51, got her start in the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office in 2006 as a paralegal specialist. In 2009, she became a detective and worked on trial teams, with special victims, and in the community justice unit.
A notice from Padgett Funeral Home says that Sgt. Mosley was born in Bridgeton in 1973 and graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1991. She finished her studies at Cumberland County College and got an associate’s degree in paralegal studies.
Before she joined the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, the mother of three worked for a law firm and the federal courts in Delaware.
“In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, shopping, eating good food, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and her beloved pit bull Chyna,” her death notice said.
Monica liked having fun the most and was always the life of the party. She made everyone who knew her smile.
The places she liked to visit were wineries and hangouts with her “Old Lady Gang.” Monica really loved the Philadelphia Eagles and loved to defend her team with all her might.
She was also a huge Prince fan and loved listening to his music. She worked very hard at her job and helped people in her community.
Through at least 86 donations, a GoFundMe page set up in honor of Sgt. Mosley had raised more than $10,100 as of press time. The service for her was held at Bridgeton High School on October 26.
Thomas, Brown, Hawkins Willis, and Mutcherson were each charged with the following crimes:
- first-degree murder (purposely and/or knowingly causing death)
- first-degree murder (murder during the commission of burglary)
- second-degree burglary
- second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon
- second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose
- second-degree certain person not to possess a weapon
- third-degree hindering apprehension
- fourth-degree obstruction of justice
The FBI, the U.S. Marshals, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives have all helped with the investigation.