Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Michael Vulpis, 26, of Freehold Borough, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in connection with a June 27, 2024, shooting in Jackson Township. Vulpis is set to be sentenced on April 4, 2025, with the state seeking five years in prison under the No Early Release Act.
The incident occurred when officers responded to Larsen Road and found a 27-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the face. Investigators determined that Vulpis and another suspect, Noah Phelps, 24, of Monroe Township, conspired to attack the victim. Phelps was later charged with Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder but was released under New Jersey Bail Reform after surrendering to authorities.
A third suspect, Glenn Franzson, 32, of Jackson Township, was charged with Witness Tampering after attempting to coerce the victim into providing false testimony. A search of his residence uncovered methamphetamine, cocaine, and an unregistered firearm, leading to additional drug and weapons charges.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledged the difficulty of the case, citing the victim’s lack of cooperation, which led to a plea agreement rather than a trial. The charges against Phelps and Franzson remain pending.