65 people, 132 charges: Bayonne's August file at the Prosecutor's Office

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office complaint export for August 2026 lists 65 people charged in Bayonne across 132 charge lines. The records, obtained under OPRA, cover Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. They are accusations, not findings of guilt.

Of the complaints filed, 41 remain in screening — meaning prosecutors have not finished charging review — while 27 were closed at the initial stage. One complaint was flagged as a domestic violence matter.

No homicides appear in the Bayonne file. The most serious charges involve lewdness observed by a child under 13, false imprisonment, criminal restraint, and a series of weapons and aggravated assault complaints. Simple assault was the most frequent charge, with 13 lines across 13 people.

Most serious complaints

Jessie Smith, Trenton, was charged on Aug. 23 with lewdness observed by a child under 13 years old where the defendant is four or more years older, endangering a child through sexual conduct, and lewdness observed by others. Screening.

Tariek M. Badger, Bayonne, was charged on Aug. 24 with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, aggravated assault by strangulation in a domestic violence context, weapon possession for unlawful purpose, and criminal restraint with risk of serious bodily injury. Screening.

Ayman M. Ghaly, Bayonne, was charged on Aug. 25 with false imprisonment. That complaint was closed at the initial stage.

Weapons cases

Weapons charges appeared in 11 complaints during August. Five people were charged with unlawful weapon possession and five with weapon possession for unlawful purpose. Two faced prohibited weapons charges for hollow-point ammunition.

David Fuentes, Bayonne, was charged on Aug. 7 with obstruction, failure to disclose a handgun on his person or in a motor vehicle, and prohibited weapons (hollow-point ammunition). Screening.

Quadirah L. Gordon, Bayonne, was charged on Aug. 18 with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief, weapon possession for unlawful purpose, and unlawful weapon possession. Screening.

Maya A. Karwowska, Bayonne, was charged on Aug. 16 with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Screening.

Other notable complaints

An animal cruelty case was filed on Aug. 7 against Shesire P. Whitfield, Bayonne, with two counts: cruelty to animals by torture and cruelty by overdriving or overloading. Screening.

One arson complaint appears in the file. Three people were charged with burglary in separate incidents.

By the numbers

Charge lines in the August Bayonne export:

• Simple assault: 13 lines, 13 people
• Criminal mischief: 9 lines, 8 people
• Shoplifting: 7 lines, 7 people
• Theft: 5 lines, 5 people
• Obstruction: 5 lines, 5 people
• Drug paraphernalia: 5 lines, 5 people
• Unlawful weapon possession: 5 lines, 5 people
• Weapon for unlawful purpose: 5 lines, 5 people
• Aggravated assault by strangulation (DV): 5 lines, 5 people
• Hindering apprehension: 4 lines, 4 people
• Burglary: 3 lines, 3 people
• Child endangerment: 3 lines, 3 people

What screening and closed mean

SCREENING means the Prosecutor’s Office is still reviewing the charges. CLOSED in this spreadsheet means initial screening is complete. Neither status is a conviction or an acquittal.

All charges described here are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office criminal-complaint export for Aug. 1–31, 2026, produced in response to an Open Public Records Act request.