January 9, 2008: On January 9, 2008, a Morris County Grand Jury returned an eight count indictment charging Joseph Bousa, age 48 of Jefferson Township with:

• one count of First Degree Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer
• one count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault
• one count of Third Degree Resisting Arrest
• Two counts of Third Degree Terroristic Threats
• one count of Third Degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes
• one count of Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
• one count of Third Degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution

The charges stem from an incident which occurred on August 30, 2007. At approximately 6:21pm, Jefferson Township Police responded to 33 Croft Road in Jefferson on a report of an assault. Upon arrival, Officer Ernest Braun spoke with a victim who indicated that the defendant had allegedly assaulted him after he asked the defendant to turn his music volume down. The defendant then allegedly charged towards the officer. He then allegedly threatened the officer and attempted to take his firearm. After a struggle, the defendant was taken into custody.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This is a great demonstration of fine police work. Officer Braun did a great job in protecting this victim and apprehending the defendant."

Bousa is currently free on bail after posting $75,000.00.

If convicted of all charges, Bousa faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of approximately 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% subject to No Early Release Act.

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 Bradford Seabury.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

January 9, 2008: First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante, Esq. announces the sentencing of Morristown resident Joel Romero, age 28.

Romero pled guilty to First Degree Kidnapping and First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault. The Honorable Joseph A. Falcone, J.S.C., sentenced the defendant on January 8, 2008 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the sentence to be served before being eligible for parole, Parole Supervision for Life and register under Megan’s Law. The defendant has been incarcerated since the time of his arrest on July 10, 2005.

On July 10, 2005, the victim, who was walking home from a Morristown bar, passed a group of men, one of them, Romero, who broke away from the crowd and followed the victim. He tried to engage the victim in conversation and then pushed her down on a sidewalk on Olyphant Place. He attempted to rape the victim there; however he dragged her up an embankment and behind shrubbery to a secluded wooded area. Romero then choked her and raped her. A neighbor heard the screams and called 911.

Co-defendant Juan Amendano, age 25, who previously pled guilty in April, now wishes to withdraw his guilty plea. Judge Falcone has scheduled a hearing on March 14, 2008 to determine whether or not to allow Amendano to withdraw his plea.

First Assistant Prosecutor Zelante said "I am proud of the passionate arguments made by senior staff attorney, Maggie Calderwood, on behalf of the victim in this case and all of the citizens of Morris County. They were well articulated and forcefully presented.

This sentence hopefully begins to bring closure to the victim. I applaud the expeditious police work by the Morristown Bureau of Police, specifically Officer Brian McDonnell, Officer Jason DelosSantos and Detective Daniel Widdis, in their apprehension and investigation of this individual."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

January 9, 2008: On January 9, 2008, a Morris County Grand Jury returned a five count indictment charging Andrew Pena, age 40, of Hewitt, with:

• one count of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault
• one count of Second Degree Sexual Assault
• one count of Second Degree Burglary
• one count of Third Degree Criminal Restraint
• one count of Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact

The charges stem from an incident which occurred on January 28, 2007. On that date, the victim, a 19 year old female, drove to the G&A Bagels store on Route 23 in Butler at approximately 3:00 am. After she dropped off two companions, the victim parked her vehicle. She was told by an individual that she could not park there and was directed to drive to the back of the store. The defendant then allegedly approached the victim, reached into the vehicle, pulled her out and sexually assaulted her.

The defendant was released after posting $75,000.00 bail.

If convicted of the above charges, the defendant faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of approximately 20 years, subject to the No Early Release Act, Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law.

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 Meg Rodriguez, Esq. The defendant is represented by Theodore Quarg, Esq. of Saddle Brook.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio