A fatal fire in Union City is currently under investigation by multiple agencies, according to an official statement released by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, and the Union City Police Department.

Authorities reported that at approximately 3:45 p.m., Union City police were notified of a fire near Bergen Turnpike and 38th Street. Upon arrival, first responders found an active fire affecting multiple structures, specifically 3808 through 3812 Bergen Turnpike.

During firefighting operations, responders discovered a deceased individual inside a residence at 3808 Bergen Turnpike. The victim has been tentatively identified as a 74-year-old woman. Officials have not yet released her identity pending further confirmation.

The fire also displaced a total of 22 residents, highlighting the broader impact of the incident on the surrounding community.

Union City EMS and North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue were the first units to arrive on scene following the initial working fire notification.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined whether the incident was accidental or intentional. Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and that additional information will be released as it becomes available.

SECAUCUS, NJ — In another courtroom defeat, all charges against investigative journalist Leonard “Leroy Truth” Filipowski have been dismissed by the Secaucus Municipal Court.

The charges — filed after incidents tied to Union City public meetings — included:

Disrupting a public meeting Defiant trespass Disorderly conduct

Every single charge is now gone.

⚖️ Another Case Falls Apart

This wasn’t just one case.

Charges brought forward by Officer Ivis Arias and Sgt. Jasen Bellamy have now both been dismissed, continuing a pattern where cases against Leroy Truth fail to hold up in court.

This isn’t random.

Multiple cases tied to his activism and reporting have reportedly ended the same way — dismissed or dropped. While a full official count of outcomes isn’t independently confirmed in one place, the repeated results are hard to ignore.

👉 At some point, it stops looking like coincidence.

The Secaucus Municipal Prosecutor commented during the court hearing stating that “we must stop trying to chill free speech with these charges”, as charges were being dismissed.

🚨 Officer Arias and Sgt. Bellamy Under Fire

This case puts a spotlight directly on Officer I. Arias and Sgt. Jasen Bellamy, whose charges ultimately collapsed in court.

Critics are now raising serious concerns about both officers, particularly when one is a supervisor, especially when it comes to:

– Understanding basic constitutional rights

– Proper handling of public meetings

– Knowing the limits of police authority in First Amendment settings

Let’s break it down simply:

– Police cannot remove someone just for speaking out.

– They cannot stretch disorderly conduct laws to cover criticism

– They cannot use trespass charges to bypass constitutional protections

Those are not advanced legal concepts — those are fundamentals.

👉 When both officers’ cases get dismissed, the question becomes unavoidable:

Were these arrests based on law — or poor judgment? Do these officers actually understand the law they were enforcing or were they enforcing their feelings?

Officer Arias is also the mistress of Captain Omar Hernandez, who ordered the first arrest of Leroy Truth for “disrespecting the commissioners” in a public commissioners meeting. Another charge that has been previously dismissed on constitutional grounds.

⚠️ Bigger Questions About Leadership and Influence

Beyond the officers themselves, critics are pointing to larger issues inside the department, including:

– Allegations that enforcement actions in political settings are being pushed from higher up.

– Concerns that officers are being placed in situations without proper legal guidance or training .

– Ongoing questions about internal relationships and influence.

These concerns have not been proven in court — but they continue to resurface every time another case falls apart.

And now, it’s happening again.

🏛️ This Isn’t Just About One Case

These incidents all stem from public meetings — places where people are supposed to challenge government openly.

Yes, there are rules.

Yes, meetings need order.

But the law is clear:

👉 You cannot punish someone simply for being critical or outspoken during their public comment time.

That’s where the line is.

And based on the outcome in court, that line may have been crossed.

🎯 A Pattern That’s Getting Hard to Ignore

Leroy Truth has consistently criticized Union City leadership, including Mayor Brian Stack.

Some see him as a watchdog.

Others see him as disruptive.

But here’s what actually matters:

👉 The charges are not sticking.

And now, with cases tied to both Officer Arias and Sgt. Bellamy dismissed, the pattern becomes even harder to dismiss as coincidence.

📉 A Bad Look for Union City Police

No matter how you look at it, this is a problem.

When multiple officers bring cases that don’t survive in court, it:

– Wastes public resources

– Damages the department’s credibility

– Raises serious concerns about training and decision-making

And when it happens repeatedly — it becomes more than just a mistake.

👉 It becomes a pattern.

🧠 Bottom Line

This case is over.

The charges are dismissed.

But the real issue remains:

👉 Why do these cases keep failing — especially when brought by multiple officers like Arias and Bellamy?

Chief Walter Laurencio needs to take a closer look at officers abusing the criminal justice system with frivolous charges. At the end of the day it falls under his watch.

Until that question is answered, every future arrest tied to public criticism will face the same scrutiny — from the public and from the courts.

What’s the score now with total criminal charges dismissed…Leroy wins 28-0 in court so far!

Court complaint records show that several individuals have been criminally charged following an confrontation involving an investigative journalist, Scalzo Photo, during a political campaign event in Union City in the summer of 2025.

The complaint documents indicate that the incident is connected to activities surrounding a political campaign event attended by supporters and volunteers of Mayor and State Senator Brian P. Stack.

Individuals Named in Complaint Records and Charges Listed

According to the complaint records reviewed:

Andre Stevens is listed as charged with third-degree aggravated assault — attempt to cause significant bodily injury under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7). After physically shoving the journalist onto a vehicle and strangling him.

Ernesto J. Ferrera-Robles is listed as charged with third-degree aggravated assault — attempt to cause significant bodily injury under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7). This individual is seen to purposely follow the journalist throughout the entire event blowing air horns in the ears of the Journalist .

Luis R. Beltran is listed as charged with third-degree aggravated assault — attempt to cause significant bodily injury under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7). Also followed and harassed the journalist with an airhorn.

Elisa T. Cuenca is listed as charged with third-degree criminal mischief involving alleged property damage exceeding statutory limits under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3(a)(1). Also followed and harassed the journalist by consistently blocking the camera view and his personal view with a Campaign sign, a consistently impeding his way of travel.



The complaint records reference offense dates in June 2025 and appear to stem from the same overall police investigation.

Allegations Regarding the Incident

According to allegations described by individuals familiar with the matter, the confrontation occurred while an investigative journalist was documenting campaign activities. It is alleged that campaign volunteers followed the journalist, blocked camera views using political signs, and attempted to intimidate him from reporting on the event.

It is further alleged that at one point a volunteer physically confronted the journalist, including grabbing and pushing him against a vehicle. These allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

Political Reaction and Public Criticism

The incident has generated political controversy and public criticism. Some critics argue that campaign leadership and elected officials connected to the event should have ensured a safe environment for journalists and members of the public.

Criticism has also been directed at prominent political figures associated with the campaign, including Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, as well as Assemblyman Larry Wainstein and Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez, with opponents alleging a failure to prevent or discourage confrontational conduct by supporters.

None of these public officials are listed as defendants in the complaint records reviewed and none has made comments of the incident.

Court Process Ahead

The charged individuals are expected to appear in court as the cases move through the criminal justice process. The proceedings will determine whether the charges proceed to indictment, trial, dismissal, or other resolution.

Presumption of Innocence

All charges described in the complaint records are allegations only.

Each named individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law following due process.