Egg Harbor City, NJ, Man Guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter of Boy

Atlantic County, New Jersey Prosecutor Will Reynolds has gained yet another guilty plea.

This law enforcement philosophy ensures that a conviction is achieved, while also saving considerable taxpayer dollars that would be spent on case and trial preparation, along with the associated trial costs.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that on February 27, 2025, Edward Johnston, 25, pled guilty to the following:

• Aggravated Manslaughter for causing the death of an 8-year-old boy named Javier Velez in Absecon, New Jersey on July 23, 2023.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has released the following details about this tragic incident as follows:

The investigation revealed that the defendant was intoxicated and traveling at approximately 107 MPH westbound on the White Horse Pike. His vehicle left the lane of travel and collided with the rear of a parked vehicle, where the victim was sleeping while the victim's father and brother fished just outside the vehicle. Johnston will be sentenced on May 13, 2025, before the Hon. Joseph Levin, J.S.C. The plea agreement calls for the defendant to serve 15 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning Johnston must serve 85% before becoming eligible for parole, said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

The following agencies investigated this case:

• Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office - Crash Investigations Unit.
• Absecon Police Department.
• Atlantic City Police Department.

Kathleen Robinson, the Chief Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor was responsible for prosecuting the case for the State of New Jersey.

Take a moment and see below, members of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at work throughout the community.

SOURCE: Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.