Door-to-Door Salesman Convicted in Deadly Stabbing in Ocean County

According to Ocean County Prosecutor, on May 29, 2025, Michael Tsamas, 35, of Laurence Harbor, was sentenced to 20 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) in connection with the death of Joseph Delgardio, 44, of Jackson Township.

This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA), meaning that Tsamas will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility.

On May 26, 2022, at approximately 6:15 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of West Veterans Highway and Conor Road in reference to a 911 call stating that a male was lying in the roadway in a pool of blood.

Responding Officers found Mr. Delgardio with a severe wound to his neck. At the time of the Officers’ arrival, Mr. Delgardio was already receiving first aid CPR from Fire Department personnel. Life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and Mr. Delgardio was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Tsamas was working for a company hired by Verizon to solicit customers on a door-to-door basis.

Tsamas knocked on Mr. Delgardio’s door in an attempt to solicit his business. Mr. Delgardio told Tsamas that he was not interested, and Tsamas left Mr. Delgardio’s residence.

A short time later, Mr. Delgardio confronted Tsamas on the street and a physical altercation ensued.

During the altercation, Tsamas removed a dagger from his pocket and stabbed Mr. Delgardio in the neck, ultimately resulting in Mr. Delgardio’s death.

Tsamas was taken into custody without incident at the scene and thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail. Tsamas was subsequently released from the Ocean County Jail as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.