July 31, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq, Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella, and Pequannock Township Chief of Police Brian Spring announce the investigation and arrests of Daniel Smith age 26, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and Curtis Smith, age 20, of Pequannock.

Daniel Smith was charged with:

Two counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault
One count of Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact
One count of Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Curtis Smith was charged with:

One count of Second Degree Sexual Assault
One count of Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact
One count of Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child

The matter is currently being investigated by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Pequannock Township Police Department. Two arrest affidavits detailing the allegations have been filed with the Court.

If anyone has any further information they are encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Pequannock Police Department at 973-835-1700 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

July 30, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq, Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella, and Lincoln Park Chief of Police Sean P. Canning announce the investigation and arrest of Carlos A. Merchant, age 58, of Hackensack. He was charged with:

One count of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault
One count of Second Degree Sexual Assault
One count of Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child

The matter is currently being investigated by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Lincoln Park Police Department. An arrest affidavit detailing the allegations has been filed with the Court.

If anyone has any further information they are encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Lincoln Park Police Department at 973-694-5533 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

July 30, 3008: Today, a Morris County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging three defendants, James C. Coates III, age 24, of Long Valley; Zachary Toomey, age 26 of Long Valley; and John A. O'Connell, age 24 of Long Valley.

Toomey is charged with:

One Count of First Degree Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility,

One Count of Second Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute,

One Count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute,

One Count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Maintain a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility,

One Count of Fourth Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance,

One Count of Fourth Degree Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance

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

Coates is charged with:

One Count of First Degree Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility,

One Count of Second Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute,

One Count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute,

One Count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Maintain a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility,

One Count of Fourth Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance,

One Count of Fourth Degree Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance

Coates previously posted $150,000.00 bail.

O'Connell is charged with:

One Count of First Degree Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility,

One Count of Second Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute,

One Count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute,

One Count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Maintain a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility,

One Count of Fourth Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance,

One Count of Fourth Degree Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance

O'Connell previously posted $250,000.00 bail.

On February 8, 2008, members of the Washington Township Police Department were contacted by Hackettstown Regional Medical Center regarding an individual who required medical attention for stab wounds. While officers were interviewing the victim, a second individual was admitted to the hospital due to a stab wound. A subsequent investigation into the incident resulted in members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Washington Township Police Department, and Morris County Sheriff's Office applying for a search warrant for the residence of Zachary Toomey, John Coates, III , and John A. O'Connell located at 16A Fairmount Road in Long Valley.

On February 9, 2008, at approximately 8:45 am, members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Washington Township Police Department, and Morris County Sheriff's Office executed the court authorized search warrant. Upon entry into the residence it was determined that a marijuana production facility was located within the attic of the residence.

A sentence for a second degree aggravated assault carries a New Jersey State Prison sentence of between five (5) and ten (10) years of which 85% of that time must be served per the No Early Release Act. Additionally, the sentence for maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance facility, a crime of the first degree, carries a New Jersey State Prison sentence of between ten (10) and twenty (20) years. Further, the sentence for the crime of maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance facility requires a period of parole ineligibility per State v. Brimage.

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 case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Kelley Lavery, Esq. Toomey is represented by Steven Roth of Roth & Associates. Coates is represented by James L. Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer, Bruno, Minott & DeEsch. O'Connell is represented by Alexander R. Pagano of Green & Pagano, LLP.

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 CrimeStopper Program at (973) COP-CALL or 973- 267-2255.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

July 25, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. and Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella proudly announce the hiring of two new Morris County Prosecutor's Office detectives, Janine Schilp and Keyla Dent.

Detective Schilp, age 26, and Detective Dent, age 27, will be attending the Division of Criminal Justice Basic Course for Investigators in Sea Girt, New Jersey, beginning in August. Detective Schilp has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from St. Bonaventure University with two minors in Criminology and Social Work. Detective Dent has a Bachelor's Degree in Justice Studies from Montclair State University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated, "These new detective hires exemplify the professionalism and leadership qualities that employees in this office exhibit. It truly is a pleasure for me to be able to recognize them with this well earned professional opportunity. They are already proven commodities that have exemplified the excellence which we seek in employment candidates in this office."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

July 24, 2008: Today, a Morris County jury found Newark resident Omar Shaheer Thomas, age 31, guilty of:

Two Counts of First Degree Felony Murder

Two Counts of First Degree Murder

One Count of First Degree Robbery

One Count of Second Degree Possession of a Firearm to use Unlawfully Against the Person of Another

One Count of Third Degree possession of a handgun without a permit to carry

One Count of First Degree employing a juvenile to commit a robbery

Thomas faces a maximum sentence of life in prison on each count of murder when sentenced on September 12, 2008.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., stated, "I am proud of the passion and dedication with which Assistant Prosecutors McNamara and Foy conducted themselves during this trial which has lasted nearly three months in duration. I also applaud the work of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office detectives, Morris County Sheriff's Office, Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Essex County Sheriff's Office, members of the Roxbury Police Department and the New Jersey State Police who handled this matter with great skill and care. They all brought justice to the victim's family and the community at large. I am proud of the work and dedication of the legal and investigative staff of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office that has to date brought to conclusion numerous murder trials in this past year. We now look forward to continuing with this aggressive trial approach and bringing about the resolution of other murder trials that are pending inclusive of the Jiminez and Zarate matters. In this administration we have spared no expense or resource to bring these serious matters to a successful trial conclusion, and we will continue to do so in the future as well."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

July 3, 2008: A Morris County Grand Jury returned a twelve count indictment charging Dennis Gerber, age 57, of Saddle Brook, with:

six counts of Second Degree Official Misconduct
five counts of Third Degree Theft
one count of Fourth Degree Theft

Gerber, the former Chief Financial Officer of Lincoln Park, was arrested on two separate occasions as a result of a continuing investigation conducted by Detective Sergeant Michael Hackett of the Lincoln Park Police Department and Detective Barry Bittenmaster of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Specialized Crimes Unit.

Gerber was arrested on February 14, 2008 after an investigation revealed that on February 11, 2008 the Mayor's Office of the Borough of Lincoln Park discovered evidence revealing the misappropriation of funds by the defendant. The Mayor's Office immediately notified the Lincoln Park Police Department, which resulted in a joint investigation with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

The initial phase of the investigation revealed that Mr. Gerber misappropriated Borough funds for his personal benefit during January of 2008, in an amount exceeding $10,000.00. Mr. Gerber resigned his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Borough of Lincoln Park on February 8, 2008 prior to the information about the alleged theft being uncovered. Further investigation revealed that on or about January 17, 2007, Gerber deposited a check payable to the Borough of Lincoln Park into a bank account and subsequently wrote four checks to himself totaling $10,000.00

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This indictment evidences the Morris County Prosecutor's Office's commitment to ferret out public corruption and bringing to justice people in public caretaking positions who dare to abuse the public trust by misappropriating public funds, and to bring to justice those who convert hard-earned taxpayer dollars, for their own personal use. I commend the Mayor's office, as well as the Lincoln Park Police Department for their reporting this matter to us, and cooperating fully with our investigation."

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 Robert Weber, Esq. Gerber is represented by Deborah Gross, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio