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