Long Branch man arrested on 2013 double murder charges

(FREEHOLD) A Long Branch man was arrested and charged for the 2013 double murder of two individuals found dead inside a Sairs Avenue apartment, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Carlos I. Menjivar, 22, of 45 North Fifth Ave., in Long Branch, is charged with two counts of first degree Murder and one count of third degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. He is currently being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $2 million bail with no 10 percent option, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Francis J. Vernoia, P.J.Cr.

Menjivar was arrested following a joint investigation by this Office’s Major Crimes Bureau with the Long Branch Police Department and Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began after Maria Catejo-Munoz, 35, of Long Branch, was reported missing around noon on Sunday, March 24, prompting a search for her whereabouts. The search led Long Branch Police to the Sairs Avenue apartment of Fredis O. Ventura, 33, who was romantically involved with Cotejo-Munoz, around 4 p.m. on March 25, 2013. The pair was discovered dead inside the apartment.

If convicted of Murder, Menjivar faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole in a New Jersey state prison. If convicted of Possession of Weapon for an Unlawful purpose, he faces a sentence of up to five years in state prison.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau at 1-800-533-7443.

Police have not released any details on how they caught or suspected Menjivar in the double murder. However, at the time of the killings people close to the victims stated that a former boyfriend or ex-husband was involved.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Thomas Huth, Director of the Major Crimes Bureau and Matthew Bogner, of the Office’s Major Crimes Bureau.

This is a breaking news story (12-17-14 at 6:30 p.m.) check back with us for updates

Police announced on December 17, 2014 that they arrested Carlos I. Menjivar, 22, of 45 North Fifth Ave., in Long Branch for the March 25, 2013 double homicide at 418 Sairs Ave., Long Branch.