Dover Man Sentenced to Five Years for Manslaughter in a Local Homicide Case

Wilfredo Cabrera-Masariegos, 34, faces imprisonment with limited chances for early parole following a violent incident in July that left one dead.

Morristown, NJ - Wilfredo Cabrera-Masariegos, 34, a former resident of Dover, has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison, 85% of which he must serve before being eligible for parole. 

The announcement came from Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Dover Police Department Chief Jonathan Delaney on October 20, 2023.

The Conviction

Cabrera-Masariegos was convicted of second-degree Manslaughter in an incident that took place in Dover on July 25, 2023. The Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C., imposed the sentence, which is subject to the No Early Release Act, mandating that the defendant serve most of the term before becoming eligible for parole.

The Incident

The case originated when Dover Police received a report about a deceased individual near the railroad tracks on West Clinton Street at 1:56 a.m. on July 26. 

The victim, Rene Rivera Hernandez, 47, was a homeless man who often stayed in the Dover area. He was found with a blunt force injury to his head, and the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the manner of death as homicide.

The investigation revealed that both Cabrera-Masariegos and Hernandez were on the railroad tracks under a highway bridge late on the evening of July 25. Cabrera-Masariegos attacked Hernandez with a rock to the head before fleeing the scene.

Law Enforcement Collaboration

The swift prosecution was the result of a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Dover Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office, and Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Prosecutor, said, "Numerous law enforcement agencies contributed to the swift prosecution," emphasizing the collaborative nature of the operation.

This case serves as a solemn reminder of the implications of violent crimes in our community, and the joint efforts law enforcement agencies are taking to ensure justice is served.