FREEHOLD - A Lakewood man faces murder charges after an early-morning argument Oct. 18 led to the stabbing death of another Lakewood man, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced in a statement Thursday.

Juan Carlos Rivera Rojas, 29, of Linden Avenue, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Domingo Merino Rafael, 33, of Seminole Drive, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said in the press release.

Rojas has also been known to go by the name Omar Rivera Rojas, the press release said.

The two traveled to Middlesex County together on the night of Oct. 17. An argument ensued when they returned to Lakewood around 3 a.m. Oct. 18, leading to violence. Rafael suffered multiple stab wounds to the head, the prosecutor's office said.

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Rafael's body was found facedown on Hurley Pond Road just east of Route 547 in Howell around 4 a.m. Oct. 18. Police originally thought Rafael was a hit-and-run victim, but quickly discovered that wasn't the case.

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Rafael’s body was taken to the Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office where a post-mortem examination was conducted and the cause of death was determined to be homicide. It has not been disclosed how the men were acquainted.

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Howell Township Police Chief Andrew Kudrick credited the assistance of other agencies, including the county prosecutor's office, with helping to "quickly resolve" the situation.

“This arrest was the result of outstanding work done by all the investigators,” Gramiccioni said.

Rivera Rojas is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township pending his first appearance before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon on Nov. 1. A detention hearing is also scheduled to follow that proceeding, the release said.

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According to the release, Rivera Rojas faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in state prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The "No Early Release Act" would require him to serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Rafael's death was part of a week of mayhem at the Jersey Shore that included at least fourth deaths and four injuries. Read a summary of the violent events here.

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Police seek help

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Kevin Condon of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 800-533-7443 or Det. Sgt. Peter Kuppler of the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4575 ext. 2245.

Anyone who wishes feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; they can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.

Keith Schubert is the morning breaking news reporter. He is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota and has worked in multiple newsrooms including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He can be contacted via text, call or signal at (732) 239-8731 or emailed at kschubert@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @keithsch94.