MILLVILLE, NJ — A man has been sentenced to 35 years in state prison for strangling his former girlfriend to death in 2023.
Steven Gonzalez, 26, of Millville, was sentenced Nov. 17 by Superior Court Judge Cristen P. D’Arrigo.
Gonzalez was charged July 3, 2023, with first-degree murder and second-degree aggravated assault.
He entered a negotiated plea agreement Sept. 29, pleading guilty to one count of first-degree murder.
Under the sentence, Gonzalez must serve 30 years without parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
Upon release from prison, he will be subject to parole supervision for five years.
The state alleged that on July 3, 2023, Gonzalez strangled victim T.C., causing her death.
T.C. had been in a relationship with Gonzalez and ended the relationship just prior to the murder.
Gonzalez left a note indicating that his motive to murder T.C. was due to the breakup.
The investigation was handled by members of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, Millville Police Department and Vineland Police Department.
The prosecution was represented by Cumberland County Assistant Prosecutor Holly Fanelle.
The defendant was represented by Nathan Perry.
