August 15, 2007: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., and Acting Chief of Investigations Joseph A. Cannatella announce the capture of Mario Winston on charges of Third Degree Terroristic Threats and Fourth Degree Contempt.

The charges are the result of a collaborative investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Fugitive Unit, the Morris County Sheriff's Office Warrant Squad, the United States Marshals Service New York / New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey State Parole, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Fugitive Unit, the Wharton Borough Police Department and the Morristown Police Department.

The defendant, who is 44 years old, was arrested without incident at a relative's house in Wharton Borough. Defendant is currently lodged in the Passaic County Correctional Facility. Judge Falcone set the defendant's bail at $250,000.00 with no 10% option.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated, "I am truly impressed by the professionalism and coordination of efforts of all of the law enforcement agencies involved in the successful capture of Mario Winston. Each of the agencies involved made the search of this defendant a priority. The defendant was captured in a matter of 15 hours of our notification of his release. I feel that it is important for me to recognize the specific participants in bringing this defendant to justice. My sincere thanks go out to Sergeant Scott Smith and Detective Evelyn Tasoulas of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Fugitive Unit, Detective Chester Kurdyla and Detective Michael Nunn of the Morris County Sheriff's Office Warrant Squad, Detective Sergeant John Lazzara and Detective Drew Santucci of the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force (Passaic County Sheriff's Office), Matthew Testa of the New Jersey State Parole, Senior Investigator Al McBride Jr., Investigator Thaddeus Caldwell, Senior Investigator Dan Klotz , Principal Investigator Ellis Allen and Senior Investigator Jerome Scott of the New Jersey DOC Fugitive Unit, Sergeant David Young and Patrolman Charles Kranz of the Wharton Borough Police Department and Detective Thomas Loia of the Morristown Police Department."

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