3 Sentenced After Death Of South Jersey 19-Year-Old Near Strip Club

PLEASANTVILLE, NJ – Three South Jersey men were sentenced to prison terms Friday for their roles in the assault of 19- year-old Irving Mayren-Guzman outside a strip club in Pleasantville in 2022, authorities said. The teen was found dead in a marsh area near the club days later.

Jamaul Timberlake, 31, Garnell Hands, 30, both of Atlantic City, and John Hands, 25, of Pleasantville, were each sentenced in the assault, according to a statement from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. Timberlake will serve a four-year term in New Jersey State Prison; Garnell Hands was handed down a five year prison term and John Hands was given a four-year prison term.

Mayren-Guzman was assaulted by all three men during an “unprovoked altercation” in the parking lot of the now-shuttered Centerfolds Night Club in the early morning hours of Jan. 23, 2022, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.

“All three defendants outnumbered, outsized, and outmatched the teen when they cornered Mayren-Guzman, each taking turns beating him, with Mayren-Guzman sustaining multiple blows to the head resulting in significant bodily injury to him,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Mayren-Guzman was reported missing later on Jan. 23 after last being seen at the strip club. His body was found two days later in the marsh area near the club by a search party volunteer; the cause of death was later determined to be the result of hypothermia, drowning, and alcohol intoxication, the prosecutor's office added.

"Irving was a joyful, kind, caring, honest, loving young man," a loved one wrote on a GoFundMe fundraiser for funeral expenses. "He was young yet determined; he had already decided what his passion and dream was. Irving was an aspiring barber and wanted nothing more than to succeed in his trade.

"He was a responsible young man; he saved his money with his dreams in mind. He was constantly learning more about investing and expanding his knowledge in every aspect."