TOMS RIVER, NJ – An Ocean County man who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for a shooting he committed last year in Little Egg Harbor has been sentenced to just 5 years in prison.
Donald Rutter, 53, of Tuckerton received a light sentence by retired liberal Ocean County judge Wendel E. Daniels to five years in New Jersey State Prison. Daniels came out of retirement to handle this case, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Additionally, Rutter was sentenced to 18 months NJSP as a result of his guilty plea to Stalking in connection with the same incident.
“The sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, Judge Daniels executed a Permanent Stalking Restraining Order barring Rutter from having any contact with the victim, Thomas Jarvis, 55, of Little Egg Harbor. Rutter pled guilty to both charges before Judge Daniels on June 13, 2022,” the OCPO said today.
According to police records, on January 5, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Little Egg Harbor Township Police were dispatched to Jarvis Marine on Radio Road in response to a 911 call which related that an individual had been shot. Responding Officers found Mr. Jarvis with an apparent gunshot wound to his midsection. Mr. Jarvis was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. He was treated for his injuries and eventually released from the hospital.