October 30, 2007: On October 30, 2007, Boonton resident Ronnie Elwood Cunningham (AKA Ronnie Cunningham), 52 years old, was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison for the Aggravated Sexual Assault on a twelve year old victim.

The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge John Harper. The defendant had previously pled guilty on July 5, 2007 to First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault after being found mentally competent to stand trial.

The investigation into this matter began when the victim was rushed to the emergency room on September 26, 2003 after suffering from a seizure. An ultra sound subsequently determined that the victim was pregnant and shortly thereafter, she delivered a baby. The victim ultimately revealed that the defendant was the baby's father and that she had been sexually assaulted by him several times over a two year duration from the age of 12 to 14. The defendant ultimately admitted to having sexual intercourse with the child.

Cunningham was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% parole ineligibility. Additionally, the defendant will be required to register as a Megan's Law Sex Offender and be subject to Community Supervision for Life.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This sentence reflects our commitment to protecting our children. This defendant shattered the innocence of a young girl in a way that is incomprehensible."

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph J. D'Onofrio, Jr. The defendant is represented by Stephen Newsome, Esq., of Morristown.

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

October 29, 2007: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., and Chief Mark Noll of the Roxbury Township Police Department are continuing to seek the public’s assistance in locating the perpetrator of an alleged armed robbery at Smiles II go-go bar.

On October 26, 2007 at approximately 9:20 am, officers from the Roxbury Township Police Department responded to Smiles II go-go bar located on Route 46 in Ledgewood, following a report of an armed robbery in the manager's office area. The victim indicated that a person described as a male wearing a mask and gray sweatshirt displayed a handgun and demanded that the victim turn over the money. He subsequently fled the area with an undetermined amount of cash. There was no forced entry into the establishment and the bar was closed at the time of the incident.

A portion of the proceeds of the robbery consisted of a quantity of two dollar bills with a circular stamp from Smiles II indicating their website and location. Law enforcement officials are asking the public to be increasingly alert to this unique currency.

The investigation is currently ongoing and is being conducted by the Roxbury Township Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Morris County Sheriff's Department.

Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, Roxbury Township Police Department at 973-448-2100 or Morris County CrimeStoppers at 973-COP-CALL.

October 23, 2007: On October 23, 2007, a Morris County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Altreem M. Houser, of Dover, with one count of Third Degree Eluding.

The charges stem from an incident which occurred on August 5, 2007. At approximately 5:00 am on that date, Randolph Township Patrolman Neil Caufield observed a motorcycle exiting off Route 10 and going onto Salem Street, heading towards Dover. Officer Caufield ran the motorcycle's plate via his Mobile Data Terminal which indicated that the plate was not on file with Motor Vehicle Commission. He effectuated a motor vehicle stop in Victory Gardens. The motorcyclist stopped, looked back at the officer and sped away. A check of Motor Vehicle Commission records led officers to the original owner of the motorcycle who told officers he sold it to this defendant. The defendant was thereafter identified as the driver and was arrested.

The defendant is currently lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000.00 bail.

If convicted of third degree eluding, the defendant faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 5 years.

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.

This case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph J. D'Onofrio, Jr., Esq. The defendant is represented by Jessica Moses, Esq., of Morristown.

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

October 20, 2007: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., and Acting Chief of Investigations Joseph A. Cannatella announce the arrest of 87 individuals in a multi state operation. Those arrested are residents of Morris, Sussex and Essex Counties and some arrests extended as far as New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. The charges against these defendants range from First Degree Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network to Fourth Degree Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance. This operation is part of the Prosecutor's Office focus on disrupting drug activity at all levels.

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October 19, 2007: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., and Acting Chief of Investigations Joseph Cannatella announce the sentencing of Hackettstown resident Richard Winstock, age 39. He was originally charged with three counts of Second Degree Official Misconduct, Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct, three counts of third degree Perjury and four counts of Fourth Degree Maintaining a Gambling Resort.

The defendant, who is a former Roxbury Township Police Officer, pled guilty to one count of fourth degree maintaining a gambling resort and a third degree charge of promoting a gambling resort.

The defendant filed a motion to withdraw the guilty plea. After vigorous oral argument, the defendant's motion was denied. Judge Salem Vincent Ahto then sentenced the defendant to two years probation and 350 hours of community service. The Judge agreed to defendant's request to stay the sentence for 20 days for the defendant to file an appeal.

Prosecutor Bianchi said "I am proud of the successful arguments made by Executive Assistant Prosecutor, Robert Lane, and Senior staff attorney, Leslie Wade, on behalf of the citizens of Morris County. They were well articulated and forcefully presented.

This hopefully brings to a conclusion a controversial, and in many ways, a tragic case, in the fairest manner I believe possible. After taking considerable efforts to reach a fair resolution, we are confident that we have struck the proper balance of ensuring that our law enforcement officers must always follow the law, and never think that they are above it. So too, I am confident that the plea and sentence in this matter reflects the fact that these defendants have already paid a huge price for their transgressions, and that the punishment given by the court was appropriate and reasonable."

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

October 16, 2007

THE "HAT BANDIT'S" LAST DAY
On July 22, 2007, the notorious "Mad Hatter" "Hat Bandit" walked into the Bank of America in Union Township. He walked up to a teller and demanded money, implying that someone could get hurt if his demand wasn't met. Steven Gomez, the 20-year-old teller who found himself facing the robber, handed him $3,000 and watched him "power-walk" out the door.

When the "Hat Bandit" disappeared from view, Steven took it upon himself to follow him. Steven saw the "Hat Bandit" walk down an alley toward the parking lot so Steven took a short cut to the parking area while taking off his red Bank of America uniform shirt so that he was less noticeable. When Steven got to the parking lot, he hid behind a car until the "Hat Bandit's" getaway car—a 2001 black Nissan Altima—was close enough for him to see the license plate number.

Law enforcement authorities had been alerted to the use of an Altima in prior robberies. Until July 22nd they had been methodically working their way through the 28,000 similar black Altima's registered in New Jersey. On July 22nd, Steven Gomez handed them the needle in a haystack. Within hours, James Madison, aka the "Hat Bandit" was in custody ending his year-long spate of 19 bank robberies in Union, Morris, Essex and Middlesex counties. Thirteen of those robberies were of Commerce Banks.

On September 11, 2007, Madison pled guilty in Federal Court to six of the robberies and admitted to stealing almost $81,000. He is facing up to 11 years in Federal Prison when he is sentenced on December 18th.

THE "HAT BANDIT" HERO
Steven Gomez, now 21 years old, is a full time student at Rutgers University studying Business and Finance. At the time of the robbery, Steven was also working full-time as a teller at Bank of America's Union Branch.

Steven lives in Union County with his father, Luis Gomez, a truck driver, his step-mother, Gilda Gomez, a factory worker, and his sister Alexandra, a graduate of Montclair State University. Steven and his sister grew up in Newark.

As his college major implies, Steven hopes to have a future in the business world.

THE REWARDS
In recognition of Steven's bravery, he is being awarded 5 separate monetary rewards as follows:

$1,000 Union County CrimeStoppers
$1,000 Morris County CrimeStoppers
$1,000 Essex County CrimeStoppers
$2,000 Commerce Bank
$5,000 Federal Bureau of Investigation

THE CRIMESTOPPERS PROGRAMS
It is important to note, that the policy of all CrimeStoppers programs is to maintain strict confidentiality. Any tips provided to CrimeStoppers may be done anonymously. It is ONLY with the permission of the individual providing information that his/her name would ever be revealed. Steven Gomez has given that permission.

CrimeStoppers programs are funded by private donations. Anyone wishing to donate to the programs may do so through each individual county’s CrimeStoppers program as follows:

Union County CrimeStoppers
c/o Charles Mancuso, Treasurer
Sovereign Bank
246 South Avenue
Fanwood, NJ 07023

Morris County CrimeStoppers
P.O. Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963

Essex County CrimeStoppers
c/o Essex County Sheriff’s Office
Veterans Courthouse
50 West Market Street
Newark, NJ 07102

CrimeStoppers offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of an individual involved in a crime. Anyone with information about a crime is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at:

Union County: (908) 654-TIPS
Morris County: (973) COP-CALL
Essex County: (973) 877-TIPS