Onofri To Retire, NJ AG Appoints Acting Mercer County Prosecutor

MERCER COUNTY, NJ - Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has appointed Assistant Attorney General Theresa L. Hilton to serve temporarily as Acting Mercer County Prosecutor.

Hilton a Deputy Director for the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ),

Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri is retiring on Aug. 1 following a 27-year career at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, including more than nine years as Mercer County Prosecutor.

Hilton will serve as Acting Prosecutor during the interim period until a permanent prosecutor is nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Angelo Onofri has been a tremendous County Prosecutor and an invaluable partner in cooperative efforts to reduce gun violence, combat human trafficking, and address the opioid epidemic,” Platkin said.

“He is an esteemed public servant and a friend, and I congratulate him on his retirement and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Platkin called Hilton a steadfast advocate for justice, and said “DCJ benefits from Theresa’s dedication and drive, and we are happy to share that leadership with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in this transition period.”

Hilton, a veteran litigator with extensive experience prosecuting domestic violence and sex assault crimes, was brought on at DCJ by Attorney General Platkin in September 2022 to oversee sexual and domestic violence prevention policy and criminal enforcement work.

She was the inaugural leader of the Human Trafficking Unit, which the Attorney General created in January 2023. She is now a Deputy Director with oversight over all major threats on top of her violence prevention policy portfolio.

Prior to joining DCJ, Hilton was an assistant prosecutor for seven years with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. She led its domestic violence unit.

“I’m honored that the Attorney General has chosen me to temporarily lead the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and grateful for his support,” Hilton said. “I look forward to working with the office’s investigators and prosecutors, as well as local police chiefs and officers, to protect the community and pursue justice across our Capital County.”

Hilton also served as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force from 2009 to 2015.

She graduated from Hamilton College and received her law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings).

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