Authorities in Atlantic County arrested a Pemberton man in connection with murder of a Mullica Township resident who was found shot in his home four years ago.

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According to a press release issued by Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain Wednesday, Michael K. Castro, 34, was arrested after being indicted by an Atlantic County Grand jury on nine criminal counts including murder and felony murder stemming from an incident that took place in 2012.

According to authorities, on Feb. 5, 2012 at approximately 3 p.m., "a family member discovered John Kingsbury, 77, injured and bleeding inside a residence located on the 2100 block of Woodland Avenue, Mullica Township."

Kingsbury was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Following an autopsy, which revealed that Kingsbury had sustained two gunshot wounds to the head, the man's death was ruled a homicide.

"Following an extensive investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Mullica Township Police Department, Castro was charged with murder, felony murder, and weapons offenses," the prosecutor stated in the press release. "The charges allege that Castro caused the death of Kingsbury during the commission of a burglary at the home."

Castro was first arrested at his home in Broward County, Florida on April 9, 2013 and bail was set at $1.1 million by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Max. A. Baker. He was held at the Broward County Jail in Florida and later extradited to New Jersey.

On July 3, 2013, Castro was indicted for murder, felony murder, burglary and weapons possession charges, but the indictment was dismissed by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury, Jr. on June 17, 2014.

On Tuesday, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Castro on nine counts in connection with Kingsbury's 2012 death including first degree murder, felony murder, burglary, weapons possession and passing bad checks.

He is currently being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $800,000 full cash bail set by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Patricia Wild. His first court appearance is will be Thursday before Judge DeLury.

According to the prosecutor, Castro faces a sentence of 30 years to life in New Jersey State prison if convicted of first degree murder; 5-10 years for a second degree count and 3-5 years if convicted of murder in the third degree.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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