PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — A Maryland man has been arrested in connection with the alleged fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old woman in Phillipsburg, authorities announced Monday.
Jamari E. Dortch, 28, of Rossville, Maryland, was taken into custody on Saturday, May 17, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. Dortch was wanted in connection with the death of Hadiyah Peggins, who was found unresponsive with stab wounds in the 400 block of Anderson Street early Friday morning.
Phillipsburg police were flagged down around 3 a.m. on May 16 to assist with Peggins, who was suffering from injuries consistent with being stabbed. Officers and emergency medical personnel administered life-saving efforts at the scene. She was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, Warren Campus, where she was later pronounced dead, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
Dortch is currently being held at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections in Maryland, awaiting extradition to Warren County. Upon his return to New Jersey, he will be lodged in the Warren County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.
Dortch has been accused of first-degree homicide, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree endangering an injured victim. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the homicide charge. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum of 10 years in state prison, while third-degree crimes are punishable by up to five years.
Authorities said Dortch and Peggins were known to each other.
The investigation was conducted by the Phillipsburg Police Department and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Warren County Regional Crime Scene Team, Allentown Police Department, New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, and the Phillipsburg Housing Authority.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Phillipsburg Police Department at (908) 835-2019.
