WEST NYACK MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HOMICIDE CHARGE IN MISSING PERSONS CASE

Defendant Faces 15 Years in Prison

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Joseph Janulewicz, age 65 of West Nyack, New York pled guilty before the Honorable Larry J. Schwartz to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (class “B” Felony) in connection with the homicide of Brain Romney.

On June 10, 2022, Brian Romney, a resident of Greenwood Lake in Orange County, was reported missing and a report filed with the Village of Greenwood Lake Police Department, when he did not arrive at his relative's home in West Nyack, as expected on the morning of June 8, 2022. Romney had not been in communication with his family and friends since that date. The New York State Police was requested to assist in the missing person investigation and the vehicle belonging to Brian Romney was located on June 15, 2022, in West Nyack, New York. The investigation by the New York State Police resulted in the execution of a search warrant upon the residence of 35 East Street in West Nyack. Police discovered the deceased body of Brian Romney concealed within a tarp inside the room within the residence of Joseph Janulewicz late in the evening of June 16, 2022. Brian Romney suffered over a dozen stab wounds to his person, and the Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Upon pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that he intended to cause Brian Romney a serious physical injury when he stabbed him multiple times in his body, including a fatal wound to his back, and caused his death. He admitted that he then wrapped the corpse of Brian Romney in a blue tarp and concealed it within his residence until it was discovered by the New York State Police.

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “Today’s guilty plea and the securing of a lengthy prison term for the defendant holds him fully accountable for the heinous crime he committed. The defendant admitted that he intentionally stabbed the victim over a dozen times causing his death. I commend the exceptional work of the New York State Police that investigated this case along with the Village of Greenwood Lake Police Department.”

Janulewicz was remanded to the Rockland County Jail pending sentencing that is scheduled for January 17, 2024. He will be sentenced to 15 years in state prison with 5 years post-release supervision, for his conviction of Manslaughter in the First Degree. Executive Assistant District Attorneys Doreen Lloyd and Michael Dugandzic are prosecuting the case.