Family, friends demand 'justice' at club where South Jersey teen was last seen alive

PLEASANTVILLE — Friends and family of a teen found dead here after being reported missing over the weekend are demanding answers and holding demonstrations outside the gentleman's club where he was last seen alive.

Irving Mayren-Guzman, an Egg Harbor Township resident last seen at Centerfolds Cabaret on Delilah Road and reported missing by friends Sunday morning. On Tuesday morning, his body was found in a nearby marsh.

More than 100 people made their way back to the parking lot of the cabaret the next day, demanding it be closed during the investigation into Mayren-Guzman's death.

Friends and family had said the man was involved in an altercation earlier in the night.

On Thursday, Pleasantville announced the arrest of three men on assault charges. Jamaul Timberlake, 30, Atlantic City, John Hands, 24, Pleasantville, and Garnell Hands 29, Pleasantville, were taken into custody Wednesday evening and each charged with second-degree aggravated assault and conspiracy.

The charges are only allegations; none of the men have been convicted of any crimes in connection with this case.

Some local officials attended the demonstration Wednesday, including former Atlantic City Planning Board member Steve Young. Now the president of the South Jersey Chapter of the National Action Network, he said it was important for all members of the community to come together.

"What the family wishes right now is for the whole facility to be closed down and not make a profit while these people are out here during their mourning process," Young said. "We just hope that they respect the wishes of the family and the community to just, during this mourning process, shut down. Don't try to make a profit over people right now."

Young said the owner of Centerfolds could not be reached, but an employee Wednesday morning agreed to close the place at 11:30 a.m. Shortly after, with help from the Pleasantville Police Department, the crowd marched to City Hall. Chants of "queremos justicia" (we want justice) and "queremos la verdad" (we want the truth) could be heard.

Friends and family could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday evening.

Edwin Lugos, Mayren-Guzman's older brother, has said his brother and several friends went to the business early Sunday morning.

According to reports, Mayren-Guzman and another man went inside while the others waited. The friend returned without Mayren-Guzman and the friends set out to find him, before eventually reporting him missing.

While foul play is not suspected at this point, authorities believe Mayren-Guzman was involved in an altercation before leaving the area on foot, heading east on Delilah Road. His body was found in that area less than 72 hours later.

Centerfolds is restricted to people 21 years and old, and the family has criticized the business for allowing their son to even be there. The family has also vowed to continue gathering at Centerfolds every morning until they learn how he died. Results from the autopsy have not be announced.

Ahmad Austin Jr. is a lifelong South Jersey resident telling stories within the healthcare and cannabis industries for Burlington County Times, Courier-Post and The Daily Journal. For story tips, reach out at aaustin@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Three charged in assault of Irving Mayren-Guzman, later found dead