July 23, 2007: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Acting Chief of Investigations Joseph A. Cannatella, and Mount Olive Police Chief Mark Spitzer, announce the arrests of Washington Township residents David Evans, age 29, and Faith Evans, age 33, on charges of second degree Theft by Extortion, Conspiracy, and First Degree Use of a Person 17 years of age or younger to Commit the Crime of Theft by Extortion.

The charges are the result of a collaborative investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, the United States Secret Service, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, the Morris County Park Police, the Washington Township Police Department and the Mount Olive Police Department.

On or about July 13, 2007, the victim in this case received a letter at his/her residence which stated that the letter-writer was part of a group of professional extortionists and that the victim had to pay $20,000 in cash to the letter-writer. If the victim failed to do so, or if the victim contacted the police, the letter-writer stated that the victim and/or his/her child, would be killed.

The letter gave specific directions to the victim as to the location where the money should be delivered. The letter dictated the money be placed at a specified location at Schooley's Mountain County Park by July 20, 2007.

Members of law enforcement, including the Mount Olive Police Department, Washington Township Police Department, the Morris County Park Police, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service established surveillance of the drop site. On or about July 20, 2007, at approximately 4:25 p.m., defendant David Evans, along with codefendant Faith Evans, approached the drop site.

Defendant David Evans was observed changing direction to approach the drop site. He was also observed bending down in the vicinity of the drop site where the money was hidden, and that the defendant Faith Evans stood as a shield while defendant Evans bent down. The defendants then all walked away when a passerby entered the area. The entire group then returned to the vicinity of the drop site, where defendant David Evans walked away with the currency. The pair was immediately stopped by police. The marked currency was recovered from David Evans.

Prosecutor Bianchi commented, "This arrest exemplifies the benefits when all law enforcement works together in solving crimes. The citizens of Morris County are fortunate to have our police agencies working in unison for their protection."

Mount Olive Township Police Chief Mark Spitzer said of the arrests, "Mount Olive Township is grateful for the assistance of several agencies that came to the aid of these victims to make them safe again. In particular; the Morris County Park Police, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Morris County Sheriff's Department, the Washington Township Police Department, and the United States Secret Service." Additionally, "When a story like this breaks, we all tend to focus on those arrested, but I know the men and women who jointly investigated this case were particularly pleased that they could bring peace to the victims of this crime. This family lived through a week of terror as they waited for this cruel plot to play out."

Defendants were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $100,000 cash/bond/property bail. The investigation remains open and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-COP-CALL.

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio
(973) 285-6222