Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced that three defendants have pled guilty in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager during a drug transaction in Burlington Township in October 2021.

Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Jayviyohn Earley, 22, of Willingboro, pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter in exchange for an 18 year-sentence. Tarik Jenkins, 28, of Pemberton Township and Kayhree Simmons, 22, of Willingboro, both pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter in exchange for 15-year terms.

The pleas were entered in Superior Court in Mount Holly on October 29. During the proceeding, each of the defendants indicated they went to the Walmart parking lot on Route 541 for a drug transaction on October 7, 2021. During the course of the transaction, the defendants admitted to firing handguns, resulting in the death of Albert Williams, 17, of Hammonton. His father, Dion Williams, was also hit by gunfire, but survived.

The Hon. Mark P. Tarantino, J.S.C., scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2025.

Charges remain against a co-defendant, Kweli McCants, 23, of Willingboro, as well as a fifth person who pled guilty to hindering the investigation into the shooting.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors Katharine Dolin and Stephen W. Bondi.

The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Burlington Township Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Willingboro Township Police Department, FBI Trenton – Greater Safe Streets Task Force, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Police Department, Willingboro SWAT Team, Mount Holly Police Department, and City of Burlington Police Department.

The lead investigators were Prosecutor’s Office Detective Sergeant Brian Cunningham and Detective Sergeant Sean Tait, and Burlington Township Detective Steven Cosmo.

2024-36 Guilty Pleas in 2021 Fatal Shooting