February 11, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella and Washington Township Chief of Police Michael Bailey announce the investigation into an aggravated assault and subsequent arrests resulting from a joint investigation with the Washington Township Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Morris County Sheriff's Office. As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested:

Zachary Toomey, age 26, of Long Valley charged with:

Aggravated Assault, Second Degree
Simple Assault, Fourth Degree
Possession of an Imitation Firearm, Fourth Degree
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree
Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, Second Degree
Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility; First Degree
Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Second Degree
Conspiracy to Maintain a Controlled Dangerous Substance facility, Second Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance, Disorderly Persons
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disorderly Persons

Toomey is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $350,000.00 bail.

John Coates, III, age 23, of Long Valley charged with:

Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, Second Degree
Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility; First Degree
Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Second Degree
Conspiracy to Maintain a Controlled Dangerous Substance facility, Second Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance, Disorderly Persons
Possession of Paraphernalia, Disorderly Persons

Coates is being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000.00 bail.

John A. O'Connell, age 23, of Long Valley charged with:

Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, Second Degree
Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility; First Degree
Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Second Degree
Conspiracy to Maintain a Controlled Dangerous Substance facility, Second Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance, Disorderly Persons
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disorderly Persons

O'Connell is being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000.00 bail

On February 9, 2008, at approximately 8:45am, members of the Morris county Prosecutor's Office, Washington Township Police Department, and Morris County Sheriff's Office executed a court authorized search warrant at the residence of Zachary Toomey, John Coates, III , and John A. O'Connell located at 16A Fairmount Road in Long Valley.

Upon entry into the residence it was determined that a marijuana production facility was located within the attic of the residence.

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.

The investigation is on-going and we are asking anyone with information to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at (973) 285-6200, the Washington Township Police Department at (908) 876-3232 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime StoppersProgram at (973) COP-CALL or 973-267-2255.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio