Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice announced Friday that a Philadelphia man has been convicted for plotting to murder multiple New Jersey government officials connected to his prior criminal case.
Stephen Smink, 62, was found guilty on August 15 of conspiracy to commit murder and five counts of attempted murder, all first-degree charges. He was also convicted of conspiracy to transport weapons and transporting weapons, both fourth-degree offenses.
Prosecutors said Smink conspired between January 2018 and December 2020 to kill Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, First Assistant Prosecutor Harold Shapiro, two Superior Court judges, and an assistant prosecutor involved in his 2014 arson conviction. Smink, the former owner of a southern New Jersey bowling alley, was previously sentenced to 15 years in state prison for arranging the burning of a rival bowling alley.
Authorities began investigating in April 2019 after the New Jersey State Police Central Security Unit received information from the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness that Smink had hired a cooperating witness to assist in a murder-for-hire scheme. Investigators found that Smink initially sought help from a member of the Latin Kings gang, who died before taking action, before turning to the cooperating witness to find another hitman.
According to testimony, Smink transferred sports memorabilia as payment for the planned killings and directed his mother to send correspondence on his behalf. In a meeting with an undercover officer, he allegedly suggested staging the murders to look like gang violence.
The convictions stem from a joint investigation by the New Jersey State Police Central Intelligence Unit and the Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division, with assistance from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Smink faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison and must serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole.