2nd Arrest In Howell Love Triangle Shooting, Prosecutor Says

HOWELL, NJ — A second man has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a man in Howell in early June, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Salvador J. Cabellos Diaz, 47, of Jackson, has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the killing of Rolando Acte Mejia, 36, of Howell, Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said.

Mejia was found dead from two gunshot wounds in a parked vehicle on White Street about 6:45 a.m. on June 5 after a 911 call reporting a possibly deceased man, authorities have said.

Detectives identified Juan Jesus Mejia Yanza, 33, and arrested him on June 13, charging him with first-degree murder and two related second-degree weapons offenses, authorities said.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Yanza's arrest, Yanza's wife had been having an affair with Mejia, who had lived with the Yanzas. Mejia had moved out several months before he was slain, but the woman continued to pursue him, the affidavit said.

Authorities alleged Yanza followed Mejia to the Wawa in Howell, where Mejia had a conversation with Yanza's wife, then followed Mejia after he left Wawa and posed as a police officer to pull him over, according to the affidavit.

On Thursday, the prosecutor's office said only that Diaz had been identified as a suspect in the case, but did not elaborate on his role or when he was identified. The probable cause affidavit in his arrest has been requested from Monmouth County authorities.

Yanza has remained in the Monmouth County jail since his arrest on June 13. Diaz is being held at the Monmouth County jail pending a detention hearing.

The prosecutor's office said the investigation is continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Kayla Santiago at 800-533-7443 of the prosecutor's office or Howell Detective Vincent Bonner at 732-938-4111.

The slaying has caused political fallout in Howell. Former Township Manager Joseph Clark resigned in late June then filed a whistleblower lawsuit in late July alleging he was publicly blamed for the slaying by Councilman Ian Nadel in a social media post. Nadel's June 6 post alleges "township officials" refused to let the council enact ordinances to address safety and quality of life concerns. Clark, in a lawsuit, alleges Nadel pursued "blatantly discriminatory" actions that targeted immigrants. Read more: Howell Councilman Targeted Immigrants In 'Blatantly Discriminatory' Actions, Ex-Township Manager Says