Stephen Smink, 62, of Philadelphia was convicted on August 15, 2025, of one count of conspiracy to commit murder and five counts of attempted murder (all 1st degree), and conspiracy to transport weapons and transporting weapons (both 4th degree).

“This defendant planned to kill public servants for doing their jobs and putting him behind bars for crimes he previously committed,” said Attorney General Platkin. “State Police and prison officials found out about his plan and interceded before anyone was harmed. He now faces a lengthy prison sentence for his violent scheme.”

“We are extremely proud that we obtained a guilty verdict against this violent offender,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “Protecting the public includes protecting the people who work every day to keep us all safe and hold criminals accountable.”

“This conviction sends a clear message: anyone who conspires to harm government officials will be brought to justice,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The safety of those who serve the public is non-negotiable, and this outcome reflects the outstanding work of the detectives who pursued this case with unwavering commitment. Their efforts not only protected lives but also upheld the integrity of our democracy.”

Smink was convicted of conspiring with others from January 2018 to December of 2020 to cause the death of Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, First Assistant Prosecutor Harold Shapiro, two Superior Court judges, and an assistant prosecutor who were involved in his 2014 conviction for arson charges. Smink, the former owner of a southern New Jersey bowling alley, was previously sentenced to serve 15 years in state prison for orchestrating a plan to burn down a rival bowling alley. Two Philadelphia residents accused of starting the fire also pleaded guilty.

In April 2019, while Smink was serving his sentence in Northern State Prison (Newark), the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Central Security Unit (CSU) received information from the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) that Smink hired a cooperating witness in late 2017 and early 2018 to help Smink carry out a murder-for-hire plot.

The investigation revealed that Smink originally hired a member of the Latin Kings gang, who was also imprisoned, to carry out and execute the murders. The Latin Kings member died prior to carrying out any act for the murder-for-hire plot. Smink then contracted with the cooperating witness to find a hitman as Smink oversaw the transfer of sports memorabilia to pay for the hits and directed his mother, Esther Smink (now deceased), to write correspondence in furtherance of the conspiracy on his behalf. In a meeting with an undercover officer, Smink stated: “If everybody was together, wipe the whole place out and kill everybody it just looks like somebody making an assault, a gangs meeting.” He also said: “If somebody shot up the place it looks like the gang getting retribution.”

The case was tried before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Levin.

The charges resulted from a joint investigation between the New Jersey State Police Central Intelligence Unit and the New Jersey Department of Corrections SID, with assistance from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Smink now faces a minimum of 30 years to life imprisonment, and will have to serve at least 30 years before being eligible for parole. The state was represented by Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Parvin, Deputy Attorney General Veronica Daddario, and Deputy Attorney General Amie Hyde.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 26, 2025.

Defense counsel: Durann A. Neil Esq., Philadelphia