Actor from The Sopranos Faces 31 Criminal Charges in Violent Road Rage Incident
An actor who had a minor role in The Sopranos is facing a long list of criminal charges following a violent road rage incident in southern New Jersey. Ernest Heinz, 46, was indicted on 31 counts related to a shooting that left a woman seriously injured. The incident occurred near Stockton University in Galloway Township, where Maritza Arias-Galva reported being shot in the face during a road rage confrontation. Heinz was arrested the same day after Arias-Galva described her attacker to the police. He was initially charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon, and other offenses.
Prosecutors later expanded the case after finding multiple firearms in a storage unit linked to Heinz. They believe Heinz fired at least one round into Arias-Galva’s vehicle during the road rage encounter. Surveillance footage showed Heinz returning to Port Republic armed shortly after the shooting. He was seen retrieving bags containing weapons from a unit rented by an associate. Arias-Galva, who tried to avoid escalating the situation, focused on surviving for her children. Heinz has not entered a plea, and the case is ongoing.
Ernest Heinz, an actor with a brief connection to The Sopranos, is facing a multitude of criminal charges following a violent road rage incident in southern New Jersey. He was indicted on 31 counts related to a shooting that left a woman seriously injured near Stockton University in Galloway Township. Maritza Arias-Galva reported being shot in the face during a road rage confrontation. Heinz was arrested the same day after Arias-Galva described her attacker to the police. He was initially charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon, and other offenses. Prosecutors later expanded the case after finding multiple firearms in a storage unit linked to Heinz. They believe Heinz fired at least one round into Arias-Galva’s vehicle during the road rage encounter. Surveillance footage showed Heinz returning to Port Republic armed shortly after the shooting. He was seen retrieving bags containing weapons from a unit rented by an associate. Arias-Galva, who tried to avoid escalating the situation, focused on surviving for her children. Heinz has not entered a plea, and the case is ongoing.