Story by Ethan
On September 11th, 2025, the arrest of James R. Dawes, age 34, was announced by Warren County Acting Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone. James R. Dawes was charged with first-degree Homicide, second-degree being a Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon, second-degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, and second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (specifically a handgun). The arrest and charges against James R. Dawes were a result of an investigation handled by the Phillipsburg Police Department, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, United States Marshal’s Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Unit, NJSP Strategic Investigations Unit, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Newark, Millburn, Greenwich, Lopatcong, and Pohatcong Police Departments.
According to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, at approximately 4:26 a.m. on June 2nd, 2025, a 911 call was made to the Warren County Communications Center reporting an attempt of someone breaking into the caller’s residence on the 100 block of Summit Avenue in East Orange, New Jersey. Responding officers found Kevin Clervil outside of the residence suffering from several gunshot wounds before being transported to St. Luke’s Hospital Warren Campus where he unfortunately passed away from his injuries. The only information revealed at the moment is that James R. Dawes and Kevil Clervil were known to each other prior to the shooting.
The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against James R. Dawes are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
