By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIPA Burlington County grand jury last week indicted an inmate of the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility for a 2006 murder at the prison.
The jury returned a two-count indictment Oct. 30 charging Jesus J. Tamo, 25, with one first-degree count of murder, and also with hindering his own apprehension, according to Burlington County prosecutor’s office spokesman Jack Smith.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Mr. Tamo was serving an eight-year sentence for aggravated assault when he strangled fellow inmate Jason Schweitzer on March 9, 2006.
Mr. Tamo had lured Mr. Schweitzer into his cell, had assaulted him, and subsequently strangled him, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Mr. Schweitzer was noticed missing when he failed to report to a medication call, said Mr. Smith. Shortly after, his body was discovered underneath Mr. Tamo’s bunk.
Mr. Schweitzer had entered the youth facility in June 2003 on sexual assault charges.
Mr. Tamo is currently lodged in the New Jersey State Prison, and had previously been sentenced in March 2004 for an eight-year sentence for aggravated assault, which he was serving at the Wagner facility.
Mr. Smith declined to comment on what Mr. Tamo’s motive may have been for luring and strangling Mr. Schweitzer.
If convicted, Mr. Tamo faces up to 30 years to life in prison.
Mr. Smith said there were no other court dates scheduled at this time, and that the investigation is being conducted by both the Internal Affairs Unit of the state Department of Correction, and the New Jersey State Police.
The Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility is located on Ward Avenue, and has an population of approximately 1,365 residents, who are mostly 18-25 years of age.
According to the facilities Web site, the center “emphasizes vocational, academic and social programming as well as individual and group psychotherapy, substance abuse treatment, social casework and psychiatric treatments.”
