33-Year-Old Pleasantville Man Convicted of 2019 Murder

On February 23, 2023, an Atlantic County jury convicted Jermaine Wharton, 33, of Pleasantville on First-Degree Murder, First-Degree Felony Murder, First-Degree Carjacking, Second- Degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, and Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun Without a Permit.

Wharton was charged in December of 2021 with murder, felony murder, carjacking, unlawful possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and possession of a handgun without a permit.

On November 13, 2021 at approximately 9:19 a.m., Pleasantville Police Department officers were dispatched to a Shotspotter response in the area of 914 North Main Street.

Upon arrival, the police located the victim, Ivan Smith, lying on the ground from a gunshot wound. Smith was pronounced deceased on scene.

Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and talked to a number of witnesses. Based on that investigation, detectives learned that the defendant unsuccessfully attempted to break into a witness’ car and approached the victim and his car.

Shortly thereafter there was a gunshot and the victim was found dead. The defendant was later identified as the man who approached the victim prior to the gunshot and who then stole the victim’s car driving it to Millville.
Assistant Prosecutors Deirdre Laws and Genna Garofalo represented the State at trial.

This case was a joint investigation with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit and the Pleasantville Police Department, with further assistance from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Millville Police Department, and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the murder statute, Wharton faces a minimum of 30 years in New Jersey State Prison where he must serve all 30 years without parole