Neptune Man Charged In 2016 Slaying

FREEHOLD, NJ - Neptune Township's Calvin Johnson, 40, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a Firearm for an unlawful purpose, first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree certain persons (are) not to possess weapons in an indictment handed up by a Monmouth County grand jury Monday.

Johnson faces the charges in connection with the 2016 shooting death at a local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
The shooting happened April 18, 2016, in the parking lot of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 1515 Corlies Ave. in Neptune, where victim Corey Basden, of Neptune City, was found dead.

Johnson initially was charged by the Neptune Township Police Department on Oct. 31, 2017, while he was already lodged at Northern State Prison in Newark on other charges and he remains detained in that facility.

If convicted of the most serious charge, Johnson faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; subject to the provisions of the “No Early Release Act” requiring him to serve 85 percent of any sentence imposed in excess of 30 years before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for five years if he gains release from state prison.

The facts as the crime as authorities described them: Neptune Township police officers were on patrol around 8 p.m., April 18, 2016 when they heard the sound of gunshots coming from the area of the VFW, authorities said.

When they arrived, they found a large crowd in the parking lot of the VFW and Corey Basden, 33, laying in the rear parking lot. Basden had been shot several times and MONOC paramedics responded to the scene, where Basden was pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m.

An approximately 18-month joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Neptune Township Police Department identified Johnson, also known as “Little C,” as the person who shot Basden, authorities said.

Despite Johnson’s arrest, the investigation into the shooting continues, as investigators believe that other witnesses may exist who may have relevant information concerning the events leading up to the shooting as well as the shooting itself.

The investigation is being led by Detective John Leibfried of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Bureau and Detective Eric Chunn of the Neptune Township Police Department.

Anyone with additional information about this shooting is urged to call Leibfried at 1-800-533-7443 or Chunn at 732-988-8000.

The case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner, of the Office’s Major Crimes Bureau, Asbury Park Satellite Office.

Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.

Citizens with information about a crime or fugitive may contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-671-4400, which is a confidential telephone tip-line; they can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestopper...

Image via Shutterstock.