April 29, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq, Deputy Chief William Schievella, Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Chief of Police Michael Peckerman announce the investigation and arrest in connection with a report of an armed subject in his residence located at 363 Kingston Road in the Lake Parsippany area of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

At approximately 3:03 am, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department received a report from the victim alleging that her boyfriend, Maloy D. Amador, had discharged a handgun within the residence, which they share. In addition, the victim reported that the defendant threatened her life with the handgun.

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department immediately responded to the residence and established a perimeter and closed roadways to local traffic. In addition, they conducted precautionary evacuations of neighboring residences and additionally made notifications to parents via a reverse 911 notification system. This notification was for children that attended the Lake Parsippany Elementary School as well as two nearby day care centers. Initially, notification alerted parents that the school would be operating under a two hour delayed opening. A short time later, an additional notification was sent to parents via the same reverse 911 system informing them that the school would be closed for the day. School resource officers from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department were stationed at the school to deal with students who had already arrived at the school prior to the notification. Those students were safely bussed to their homes or had their parents pick them up. This precautionary measure was taken to ensure the safety and security of the children.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office, along with the Morris County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team (SERT) and the Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety (Mobile Command Post) responded and set up incident operations on Christopher Street.

Members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Hostage Negotiations Team attempted to engage the defendant in communications. However, the defendant did not respond to any attempts of communication. As a result, at approximately 11:26 am, members of the Morris County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team (SERT) forcefully entered the residence. At the time of the entry, the defendant was located in a downstairs basement bedroom in his bed.

The defendant had two semi automatic handguns with him along with ammunition and knives. The defendant was taken into custody without incident.

The defendant, Maloy D. Amador, age 26, of Lake Parsippany, is expected to be charged with:

Kidnapping (1st degree)
Criminal Restraint, (3rd degree)
Aggravated Assault (4th degree)
Two Counts Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (2nd degree)
Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (2nd degree)
Terroristic threats (3rd degree)

At no time during this entire incident was the community in danger.

The investigation is ongoing in cooperation with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office and the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department

If anyone has any further information they are encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department at 973-263-4300 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStoppers Program at 973-COP-CALL (973-267-2255).

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

April 24, 2008: Bronx resident Alexis Martinez, 31 years old, was sentenced by Judge Thomas Manahan, J.S.C. to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with six and 2/3 years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

The defendant was convicted, along with his codefendant, Jose Rodriguez, by a Morris County Jury on March 5, 2008 of:

-one count of First Degree Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of First Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of Third Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance

The verdict followed a 4 day trial before Judge Manahan. During the trial, testimony revealed that on April 1, 2005 at approximately 10pm, the defendants arrived at a TGI Friday's restaurant in Roxbury. At that time they interacted with an undercover police officer from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit who were ultimately provided with a kilogram of cocaine.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., commended the efforts and trial preparation of Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Corazza, Esq. and Senior Trial Attorney John McNamara, Jr., Esq.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This significant State Prison sentence reflects our commitment to protecting our community from persons who bring drugs into our community. This sends a clear message that we are ready, willing and able to prosecute our cases before juries, secure convictions, and request the maximum sentences allowable by law. My special thanks to the Special Enforcement Unit detectives of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Detective Angelo Rosato, Roxbury Township Police Department, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their collective effort in bringing about this result. I am proud of the partnership and the work that they do on behalf of the citizens of Morris County."

Co-defendant Jose Rodriguez, age 35, of New York City was sentenced on April 23, 2008to 12 years in New Jersey State Prison with six years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

A third defendant, Salvatore Augustine, pled guilty on October 20, 2006 to First Degree Distribution of CDS. He was sentenced on March 18, 2008 to seven and a half years in New Jersey State Prison with 30 months of parole ineligibility. He was represented by John Somohano, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

April 23, 2008: New York City resident Jose Rodriguez, 35 years old, was sentenced by Judge Thomas Manahan, J.S.C. to 12 years in New Jersey State Prison with six years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

The defendant was convicted, along with his codefendant, by a Morris County Jury on March 5, 2008 of:

-one count of First Degree Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of First Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of Third Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance

The verdict followed a 4 day trial before Judge Manahan. During the trial, testimony revealed that on April 1, 2005 at approximately 10pm, the defendants arrived at a TGI Friday's restaurant in Roxbury. At that time they interacted with an undercover police officer from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit who were ultimately provided with a kilogram of cocaine.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., commended the efforts and trial preparation of Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Corazza, Esq. and Senior Trial Attorney John McNamara, Jr., Esq.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This significant State Prison sentence reflects our commitment to protecting our community from persons who bring drugs into our community. My special thanks to the Special Enforcement Unit detectives of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Detective Angelo Rosato, Roxbury Township Police Department, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their collective effort in bringing about this result. I am proud of the partnership and the work that they do on behalf of the citizens of Morris County."

Sentencing for co-defendant Alexis Martinez is scheduled for April 24, 2008.

A third defendant, Salvatore Augustine, pled guilty on October 20, 2006 to First Degree Distribution of CDS. He was sentenced on March 18, 2008 to seven and a half years in New Jersey State Prison with 30 months of parole ineligibility. He was represented by John Somohano, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

April 23, 2008: On April 21, 2008, a Morris County jury found William O'Brien, age 65, of Washington Township in Warren County, guilty of:

-six counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault

-one count of Fourth Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child

The verdict followed an eight day trial. The defendant faces a maximum possible custodial sentence of 61 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of parole ineligibility when he is sentenced on May 23, 2008.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., commended the efforts and trial preparation of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Esq. and Assistant Prosecutor Kelley Lavery, Esq.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This trial win sends a message to persons who commit the most heinous of crimes which are those that impact our children, that they will be aggressively prosecuted and that our office is ready, willing and able to bring them to justice in a court of law. Hopefully, this verdict can begin the healing process for victims. My special thanks to the detectives in the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Washington Township Police Department, and the Morris County Sheriff's Office for their collective effort in bringing about this result. I am proud of the partnership and the work that they do on behalf of the citizens of Morris County."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

April 9, 2008: Today, a Morris County jury found George Melendez, age 61, of Mine Hill, guilty of:

One count of First Degree Murder
One count of Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
One count of Third Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

The verdict followed a 7 day trial. The defendant faces a maximum possible custodial sentence of life in prison with 85% of parole ineligibility in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced on May 16, 2008.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., commended the efforts and trial preparation of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor John McNamara, Jr., Esq. and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Tia Manochio, Esq.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This trial win sends a message to persons who commit senseless and violent acts in our county, that they will be aggressively prosecuted and that our office is ready, willing and able to bring them to justice in a court of law. Hopefully, this verdict can begin to heal the family of the victim. My special thanks to the Major Crimes Detectives of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Rockaway Township Police Department, Wharton Police Department, New Jersey State Police Department of Forensic Sciences and the Morris County Sheriff's Office for their collective effort in bringing about this result. I am proud of the partnership and the work that they do on behalf of the citizens of Morris County."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

April 9, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella, Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford, and Montville Township Chief of Police Richard Cook announce the investigation into a fatal motorcycle accident.

At approximately 8:30 pm on April 8, 2008, the Montville Township Police Department received a 911 call reporting a motorcycle crash on Main Road in the Towaco section of Montville Township. The victim, Daniel Marganski, age 27, of Pequannock, was operating a 2004 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle when it left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. The victim was transported by Medivac helicopter to Morristown Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The crash is being investigated by the Montville Township Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Morris County Sheriff's Department.

The investigation is on-going and any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact the Montville Township Police Department at (973) 257-4300, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStopper Program at (973) 267-2255.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

April 4, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. and Morris County Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella announce the charging of Morristown resident Salvatore Gaeta, Jr., age 46. Gaeta is charged with:

One count of Second Degree Theft

On March 18, 2008, representatives from Ingersoll-Rand, located on Newfield Avenue in Edison, New Jersey, contacted the Morris County Prosecutor's Office reporting that company equipment was missing.

An investigation revealed that Salvatore Gaeta, Jr., an employee of Ingersoll-Rand, was allegedly responsible for shipping company merchandise to his personal home address located at 8-C Dorado Drive, in Morristown, as well as family residences located in Summit, New Jersey and Three Bridges, New Jersey. The approximate value of the diverted products is approximately $168,000.00.

The arrest was the result of a continuing investigation conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Readington Township Police Department, Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office, Morristown Police Department, Summit Police Department, Edison Township Police Department, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Union County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office and Ingersoll-Rand.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated that "The charge against Mr. Gaeta, Jr. was the result of the prompt actions of representatives at Ingersoll-Rand, which allowed the investigation to commence in a timely manner".

The investigation is ongoing and Prosecutor Bianchi is asking anyone that may have information pertaining to this allegation to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStopper Program at (973) COP-CALL (973-267-2255).

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