September 25, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., and Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella announce the disposition of the criminal case involving a main target of Operation ReDirect, Montville resident George DelVecchio.

On September 25, 2008 before the Honorable Thomas V. Manahan, Delvecchio, age 71, pled guilty to one count of second degree Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance. The recommended sentence is 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with 5 years of parole ineligibility. The defendant also forfeited all items seized at the time of the arrest. Sentencing is scheduled for October 31, 2008.

On October 20, 2007, approximately 87 individuals were arrested following a massive collaborative investigation dubbed "Operation ReDirect". Numerous police agencies were involved in the investigation including Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Department, Morris County Park Police, New Jersey State Police, United States Marshal Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Postal Inspector, New Jersey Parole, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Human Services, Essex County Prosecutor's Office, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, New York City Police Department, Town of Boonton Police Department, Boonton Township Police Department, Chatham Township Police Department, Chester Township Police Department, Chester Borough Police Department, Denville Township Police Department, Florham Park Borough Police Department , Hanover Township Police Department, Mountain Lakes Borough Police Department, Long Hill Township Police Department, Montville Township Police Department, Morris Plains Borough Police Department, Town of Morristown Bureau of Police, Morris Township Police Department, Mount Olive Township Police Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Police Department, Pequannock Township Police Department, Randolph Township Police Department, Raritan Township Police Department, Riverdale Borough Police Department, Rockaway Borough Police Department, Rockaway Township Police Department, Roxbury Township Police Department, Wharton Borough Police Department, Morris County Office of Emergency Management, and Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers.

This multi state operation included arrests of residents of Morris, Sussex and Essex Counties and some arrests extended as far as New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. The charges against these defendants range from First Degree Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network to Fourth Degree Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "I am pleased to announce that one of the major narcotic distributers in this operation, George DelVecchio, pled guilty to the maximum amount of time allowable under the law for a second degree offense, that being, 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole for at least 5 years. While it is unfortunate that a person of the defendant's age will be incarcerated for this length of time, it is also equally unfortunate that he made a decision at his age to engage in this illegal activity to distribute narcotics. His actions threatened the health and safety of the community and this plea reflects the Morris County Prosecutor's Office's commitment to aggressively prosecute high level drug dealers who poison our community with illegal narcotics to the fullest extent allowable under the law."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 19, 2008: Today, Parsippany resident Marcos Riveria, 24 years old, and Montville resident Mario Nieto-Rivera, age 34, were sentenced by the Honorable Thomas V. Manahan, P.J.Cr. Nieto-Rivera was sentenced to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison. Riveria was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison.

On May 7, 2008, a Morris County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging the defendants, who are citizens of Mexico.

Mario Nieto-Rivera was charged with:

One count of First Degree Murder
One count of Third Degree Hindering Apprehension
One count of Second Degree Tampering with Human Remains

Marcos Jose Riveria was charged with:

Third Degree Hindering Apprehension
Second Degree Tampering with Human Remains

The charges stem from the discovery of human skeletal remains on October 12, 2006 in the area of 11 Chapin Road in Montville. The remains were removed from the scene. All bones were examined and a skeletal structure was reconstructed piece by piece as part of the forensic examination. An autopsy was conducted and Dr. Carlos Fonseca of the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office determined that the decedent had suffered a skull fracture, multiple rib fractures as well as other injuries. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma and the manner of death was determined to be homicide. The victim had distinctive cosmetic dentition, namely, two upside down hearts on his front teeth. The remains were positively identified as those of Alfredo De Los Santos-Francisco.

Further investigation revealed that the defendants were known acquaintances of the victim. It was ultimately determined that an argument had taken place between the victim and Nieto-Rivera at which time Nieto Rivera began punching and kicking the victim. Nieto-Rivera then slammed the victim's head against the wall until the victim was unresponsive, at which time he dragged the victim down the stairs. The two defendants then retrieved a large piece of plastic and wrapped the body in it and carried it to the area of 11 Chapin Road where it was placed into a wooded area.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "I applaud the forensic police and investigative work that led to the identity of the victim and the eventual arrest and prosecution of the defendant. The sentence imposed reflects the Morris County Prosecutor's Office's commitment to punish those who commit violent crimes in our county."

This case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Leslie Wade, Esq. Nieto-Rivera is represented by Jessica Moses, Esq., of Morristown and Riveria is represented by William Johnson Esq. of Dover.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 19, 2008: Irvington resident Omar Shaheer Thomas, 31 years old, was sentenced by the Honorable Salem Vincent Ahto to consecutive life sentences on each murder. He imposed life without parole and a consecutive sentence of 18 years (on the robbery charge) in New Jersey State Prison, of which defendant must serve 85%before being released. Morris County Assistant Prosecutor John McNamara argued on behalf of the State that the defendant should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and consecutive sentences. The judge ruled in the State's favor on those issues.

The defendant was convicted on July 24, 2008 by a Morris County Jury 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 and One Count of First Degree employing a juvenile to commit a robbery.

During the trial, testimony revealed that on the morning of December 1, 2002, police responded to the FuncoLand game store in Roxbury, New Jersey to find two store employees had been shot and killed: Jefferson Township resident Jeffrey Eresman, age 21, and Netcong resident Eric Rewoldt, age 26. Numerous video games and video game systems were stolen from the store. A comprehensive and thorough investigation commenced and a task force was formed that included law enforcement personnel from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Roxbury Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, and the New Jersey State Police. The nearly year long investigation led to the November 17, 2003arrests of Omar Thomas and his two cousins, Rahman Allen Vaughn and Craig Allen Thomas Jr., a juvenile.

At the trial, the jury watched the defendant's multiple videotaped statements, in which he described travelling from Newark to Roxbury with his cousins for the purpose of robbing the game store. Jeffrey Eresman, the sole employee in the store at the time of the robbery, was brought at gunpoint to the rear of the store where he was shot in the head by Craig Allen Thomas. Omar Thomas then took the gun from the juvenile and fired a second, fatal shot into the head of Eresman. The defendants were in the process of bagging up merchandise from the store when Erik Rewoldt reported to work. Upon his entering the store, Omar Thomas shot Rewoldt in the head as he walked by, killing him instantly.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "On December 1, 2002 a tragic and senseless murder of Jeffrey Eresman and Eric Rewoldt occurred. Today's sentencing brings a long awaited vindication to these crimes to the extent allowable under the law. Now, today, the life of this defendant has taken its turn for the worse, as he will pay for the remainder of his life for his heinous and cowardly actions. The fact that this defendant weighed the theft of some video games over the lives of these two victims is simply despicable.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is committed to ensuring justice for the families of senseless crime. While any sentence for crimes such as this is never enough to right the wrong, it brings me great pleasure to have been able to provide the resources and commitment to ensure that this defendant is made to pay the greatest price allowable under the law. My sympathies are extended to the families and it is my hope that this will bring some measure of closure to them. My special thanks go to Assistant Prosecutors John McNamara, Jr. and Peter Foy for an exceptional presentation of the evidence that led to these convictions."

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors John K. McNamara, Jr., Esq, and Peter J. Foy, Esq. The defendant is represented by David Glazer, Esq., and Michelle Abudato, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 19, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. and Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella proudly announce the following appointments:

Joseph Napurano, Esq. as an Assistant Prosecutor.

Prior to coming to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Assistant Prosecutor Napurano worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C. in Essex County. He graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law in May of 2007. He received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Maryland in 2001. He is currently assigned to Judge Ahto's trial team.

Julie Serfess, Esq., as an Assistant Prosecutor.

Assistant Prosecutor Serfess graduated from Widener University School of Law in May of 2007. Following graduation, she clerked for the Honorable William J. McGovern, III in Sussex County. She graduated from Rutgers College in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice and she received a minor in Psychology. She is currently assigned to Judge Manahan's Trial Team.

Thomas Laird as a Detective.

Detective Laird graduated from Saint Anselm College in December of 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a certificate in Forensic Chemistry. He has been employed by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office since February 2007. Detective Laird will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit.

Carolina Moreno as a Detective.

Detective Moreno graduated from Seton Hall University with a Master's Degree in International Relations and a bachelor's degree in International Relations. She is currently an analyst with the Intelligence Crimes Task Force. Detective Moreno will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit.

Bruce LaFera as a Detective.

Detective LaFera graduated from County College of Morris with a degree in Criminal Justice. He then completed the Essex County College Police Academy. He began his professional career with the UMDMJ Police Department as a patrolman. He will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit.

Additionally, Detective Christopher Lombardi is being promoted to Detective Supervisor. Detective Supervisor Lombardi received his bachelor's degree from Kean College and received a Master's degree from Farleigh Dickenson University. Prior to coming to the Prosecutor's Office, Detective Supervisor Lombardi worked for the Long Hill Township Police Department and the Clinton Township Police Department. Detective Lombardi is currently assigned to the General Investigations Unit and is a certified Polygraph Examiner.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "Joseph and Julie are exceptionally bright legal talents with a great amount of potential. I am confident in their abilities to advocate on behalf of the citizens of Morris County and to seek justice in every case they handle.

Detectives Laird and Moreno have already established themselves as hard working and qualified individuals which is the reason they are so deserving of the promotion to detective. Detective LaFera has prior law enforcement experience that is invaluable in this office. Detective Supervisor Lombardi is regarded as an extremely bright mind and is deserving of this promotion.

The attorneys that work with all of the promotees have great regard for their work product and dedication. These individuals all fit into the Morris County Prosecutor's Office family because of their ability to work hard. I look forward to working together towards the same goal which is serving the citizens of Morris County."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 19, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. and Deputy Chief William Schievella invite you to attend the High Holy Days Security Briefing this Monday, September 22, 2008 at 7 pm at the Public Safety Training Academy located at 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany, New Jersey. Leaders of the Jewish community as well as members of the law enforcement community will be in attendance.

Please email Captain Jeffrey S. Paul at jpaul@co.morris.nj.us if you plan on attending.

We look forward to seeing you Monday evening.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 15, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq, Deputy Chief William Schievella and Rockaway Township Chief of Police Walt Ardin, announce the conclusion of an investigation in connection with a report of a Rockaway Township Police Sergeant who stole eight breakfast sandwiches from a Quick Chek convenience store.

On December 15, 2007, Rockaway Township Police Sergeant Christopher Stahl, age 39, purposely walked out of a Quick Chek convenience store located at 25 West Main Street in Rockaway Borough without paying for eight breakfast sandwiches, totaling $29.45. Following an investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Rockaway Township Police Department, the defendant was eventually charged with one count of Theft.

Today, the defendant pled guilty to one count of a disorderly persons charge of Theft. He was also sentenced to a $100 fine, restitution of $30 and he had to forfeit his current public office position and any future public service position.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This plea represents the fact that no one is above the law. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is committed to purging, from all levels of public service, those who abuse the public trust or the taxpayers' hard earned money.

This plea has dramatic but inevitable consequences to the defendant. Among other conditions, he has lost his lifelong job as a police officer and may never again serve as a public servant in any capacity for the rest of his life. All of this for the theft of $29.45 worth of goods. The loss of their public office as a condition of this plea represents a greater consequence than that given to the average citizen for a conviction of this nature. Nevertheless, it must be made clear that no public official is above the law, and if they violate the law, even for otherwise minor offenses, there are dramatic, life altering consequences.

I strongly applaud the Rockaway Township Police Department's assistance provided during this investigation and for bringing this matter to our attention. Chief Ardin and his officers should be proud of working for a department that is willing to address problematic officers in a manner that reflects their commitment to the public to ferret out wrongdoers just as they would any other citizen, and not to merely look the other way. I give assurances to the citizens of Rockaway Township that their police chief and officers are of the highest caliber and that they should be proud of the manner with which their department handled this matter."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 10, 2008: A Morris County Grand Jury returned a seven count indictment charging Jersey City residents, Nicole Lere, age 27, and Arcadio Santiago, age 25 with:

Two Counts of Second Degree Theft by Deception
Two Counts of Second Degree Issuing a Bad Check
Two Counts of Third Degree Uttering a Forged Instrument
One Count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception

Both defendants were arrested on July 12, 2006. The thefts allegedly occurred during a two week period between March and April of 2005. The approximate value of the fraudulent checks and the thefts is in excess of $464,000.00 which was taken from Automatic Data Processing. The defendants allegedly created a fraudulent construction company to which ADP made payments for payroll and accounts payable.

The arrest was the result of a continuing investigation conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, United States Secret Service and the Parsippany Troy Hills Police Department.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "I am proud and impressed with the detective work that unraveled this complex scheme. As the Morris County Prosecutor's Office has previously stated, these crimes levy a tremendous impact upon our citizens with increased costs for goods and services, as well as, the impact upon the businesses that are wrongly affected. We will pursue these white collar cases as any other case so as to send a message that if you engage in this activity and are caught you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

If convicted of the charges, Lere and Santiago face a maximum potential custodial sentence of approximately twenty years imprisonment in New Jersey State Prison.

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 Tony Cannon, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 10, 2008: A Morris County Grand Jury returned a one count indictment charging Morristown resident, Salvatore Gaeta, Jr., age 46, 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 "Corporate crime needs to be aggressively prosecuted. In the end analysis, this kind of crime has a measurable impact upon society, the businesses that serve our communities, and costs associated with these thefts that are ultimately passed onto the consumer and taxpayer. We have vowed to combat white collar crime with the same vigor as any other offense, and this indictment is evidence of that commitment."

If convicted of the charges, Gaeta faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of ten years imprisonment in New Jersey State Prison.

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 Tony Cannon, Esq. Gaeta is represented by Jeffrey Advokat, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio

September 3, 2008: A Morris County Grand Jury returned a five count indictment charging Demetrius Diaz-Bridges, age 19 of Jefferson with:

One Count of First Degree Murder (purposeful and/or knowing murder)
One Count of First Degree Murder (murder in the commission of a robbery)
One count of First Degree Robbery
One Count of Third Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
One Count of Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

On January 30, 2008 at approximately 5:27 pm, a 911 call was received by the Jefferson Township Police Department requesting assistance at a Nolan's Point Road residence in Jefferson. Upon the arrival of the Jefferson Township Police Department, they found Elizabeth O'Brien, age 49, deceased within her residence.

On January 31, 2008 Morris County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Carlos Fonseca conducted an autopsy and determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

The investigation revealed that at the time of the murder, the defendant, Demetrius M. Diaz-Bridges, lived at 150 Nolan's Point Road. He was a neighbor of Elizabeth O'Brien and a friend of one of her two sons. It was also determined that Mr. Bridges stayed at Mrs. O'Brien's residence at 120 Nolan's Point Road on the night of January 29-30, 2008.

On May 2, 2008 Detectives from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office and Jefferson Township Police Department located Mr. Bridges in Raleigh, North Carolina.

On May 2, 2008 Judge John Triarsi J.S.C. (Union County) authorized the warrant charging Mr. Bridges with Murder a crime of the 1st degree and Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose a crime of the 3rd degree.

Diaz-Bridges was previously held in the Wake County Jail where he refused to waive extradition. Prosecutor Bianchi initiated the Governor's Warrant Process and the defendant was brought back to New Jersey and was ultimately lodged in the Union County Correctional Facility.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "I am extremely happy that we have been able to move this case through the system as quickly as we have. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is committed to doing everything we can to bring this matter to a successful conclusion and bringing this matter to trial as soon as possible."

Diaz-Bridges is currently lodged in the Union County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000,000.00 bail.

A motion to retain venue in Morris County was also filed today with Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis, A.J.S.C.

If convicted of all charges, Diaz-Bridges faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of life without the possibility of parole in New Jersey State Prison.

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 Leslie Wade, Esq. Diaz-Bridges is represented by Joseph Krakora, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio