Wharton woman indicted on fraud charges
Morristown: A 34-year-old Wharton woman who allegedly posed as a doctor to fool pharmacists and get her hands on prescription painkillers in Mount Olive, Dover and the Rockaway area was indicted on multiple fraud charges.
The charges include multiple counts of obtaining narcotics by fraud; possession of prescription painkillers; possession of a controlled dangerous substance; and practicing medicine without a license. The drugs included Amoxicillin, Hydrocodone, Xanax, Diflucan, Vicodin.
Shannon Rolph was caught more than once between October 2007 and this past October after pharmacists called police. Rolph would allegedly pose as a doctor and call in prescriptions, then go to the pharmacy and tell them she was picking up the drugs for that person. She remains free from the Morris County Jail.
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 story was filed Dec. 18, 2008. Media agent Bill Swayze can be reached at 973-285-6200.)
Holiday Open House Postponed
December 18, 2008: Due to the expected inclement weather, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Holiday Open House will be postponed until Monday, December 22, 2008, from 2-4pm. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may incur, but your safety is our top priority as we know many of you have a long distance of travel. We hope you are able to join us and we look forward to seeing you there. Please RSVP at RSVP@co.morris.nj.us to reconfirm your attendance for Monday.
Media Contact: Agent Bill Swayze
Plans unveiled to bolster school security
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office unveiled the second phase of a county-wide project today to bolster security on campuses throughout the county.
Captain Jeffrey Paul; Dr. Kathleen Serrafino; Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq; Alfonse Imperiale; First Assistant Prosecutor Tom Zelante, Esq
From aerial photographs and the workings of security systems to the cell phone number of the night custodian, the prosecutor's office is compiling information to better prepare police, educators and all other emergency workers for a number of emergencies such as an armed intruder, active shooter, kidnapper and others.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., said his office is doing all it can to equip school officials and law enforcement with the know-how necessary in a crisis.
"We have made the protection of our children the highest priority," Bianchi said. "Morris County should be proud that this planning is unique and is becoming the model for other counties throughout the state."
First Assistant Prosecutor Tom Zelante, Captain Jeff Paul, Alfonse Imperiale, the county's risk mitigation planner, Sgt. Robert McDermott -- all from the county prosecutor's office; Kinnelon police Chief John Finkle, who heads the county police chiefs association, and local police chiefs worked on the project for several months.
School building floor plans, doorways, gas pipes and a multitude of photographs and information fill the 1/4-inch-thick document.
Phase one presented to law enforcement and educators earlier this year, focused on explaining how law enforcement functions during an emergency. The second and third phases focus on the practical nuts-and-bolts gathering of information and instruction on how to actually handle an unfolding crisis.
"Whether it's an active shooter, a chemical spill or a natural disaster, we are making sure we are ready. This is hazard planning for the schools," Finkle said.
"It's not a question of when it will happen, but rather where it will happen," Captain Jeff Paul added.
Morris School District Superintendent Thomas Ficarra said educators are welcoming this initiative. "The prosecutor is upping the level of cooperation and communication and that's important. A crisis is no time to be bumping around for information."
Bianchi, during the seminars, especially thanked Morris County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Serrafino, who was instrumental for bringing the school districts and law enforcement community together.
"The added benefit to this extraordinary worth-while program are the relationships and the communication developing between the law enforcement and education communities," Bianchi said.
"After this project, we have already agreed to continuing this partnership in addressing drugs, gangs, bullying, cybercrime and other areas of concern that affect the well being of our children," Bianchi said.

