Third Person Charged in 2020 Egg Harbor Twp. Murder Case

More than five years after the death of Arturo "Arty" Barrera III, a third person has been charged in the shooting death of the Egg Harbor Township man.

Steven Huff, 32, of Spartansburg, South Carolina, was charged with his role in the murder on Friday and ordered to be held without bail until trial, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

The Death of Arty Barrera

Police say Arturo "Arty" Barrera III, 24, was shot to death in his Egg Harbor Township home around 11:20 p.m. on January 2, 2020, on the 100 block of Vermont Avenue.

According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, two armed men in masks entered the residence and pointed guns at Barrera and another person, causing the dogs inside the home to start barking.

Authorities say when Barrera stood up, the two men began firing, killing him. The second person in the home who witnessed the shooting was not injured.

On March 16, 2021, 28-year-old Neco J. Pitts, of Long Branch, Monmouth County, and 26-year-old Leonard B. Ludwigsen Jr. of Egg Harbor Township, were both charged with felony murder and other related offenses in connection with Barrera's death.

Police now say Huff and Pitts were the men who entered the home and fired the shots while Ludwigsen Jr. stayed in the car outside.

Police previously said the men were looking for drugs.

Arty's Family Put Up a $10,000 Reward

After Arty's murder, his parents put up a $10,000 reward to entice someone to come forward with information about the killing.

I remember seeing the billboard for the reward with a photo of Arty Barrera, posted by Crime Stoppers.

Under Pitts and Ludwigsen, Jr's plea agreement, they would be given a three-year reduction from their 15-year sentences if they revealed the name of the third person in the crime and he was convicted.