SUSSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Jan. 20 Daniel Wancura, 24, of Newton pled guilty to criminal trespass, a fourth degree crime. Sentencing is anticipated for Feb. 20. On March 8, 2008, Wancura and a co-defendant entered an empty residence that was under construction in Hardyston Township without the owner’s knowledge or consent. Both gave statements to police admitting to the trespass. Jan. 22 A juvenile pled guilty on Nov. 20, 2008, to third degree endangering the welfare of a child. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, 16, of Vernon, was sentenced to two years probation with 60 days in the Juvenile Detention Center (credit for six days, 15 days suspended and the balance to be served during the summer) and a six-month loss of his driver’s license when he turns 17. He must also submit a DNA sample, undergo random drug testing, testify truthfully against co-defendants and have no contact with them, have no contact with the victim and pay court fines of $45. During the month of August 2008, in Vernon, the juvenile and several co-defendants provided marijuana and alcohol to a 6-year-old child, and encouraged the child to consume alcohol and smoke marijuana. A juvenile pled guilty on Dec. 4, 2008, to third degree burglary. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, 16, of Newton, was sentenced to 18 months probation with 30 days in the Juvenile Detention Center (credit for five days served, 15 suspended, balance to be served during the summer) and a six-month loss of his driver’s license. He must also attend school every day and follow all home and school rules, submit a DNA sample, undergo random drug testing, write a letter of apology, complete the Alternative to Detention Program, have no contact with the victim or co-defendants, testify truthfully against his co-defendants and pay court fines of $15. In October of 2008, the juvenile and two juvenile co-defendants broke into the Main Street Grocery in Newton taking approximately $2,000 in cash and merchandise. Doreen P. Joseph, 51, of Montague pled guilty to third degree false public alarm. Sentencing is anticipated for March 20. She admitted that on Oct. 11, 2007 she called the state police reporting that she had been stabbed by her mother, which later proved to be a fabrication. Daniel Conklin, 24 of Franklin pled guilty to violating his probation and was sentenced to a five year term of drug court probation and 90 days jail. Defendant must comply with all terms and conditions of drug court. He initially pled guilty on Sept. 12, 2005 to two counts of third degree possession of CDS. Jonathan M. Barrise, 22, of Sussex pled guilty to one count of endangering the welfare of a minor, a third degree crime and one count of sexual contact, a fourth degree crime. On or between Sept. 10 and 28 of 2008 he had sexual contact with the intimate parts of a minor female. Jan. 23 Stephen McNeer, 22, of Mountain Lakes was sentenced to three years probation, which is to run concurrent but not co-terminous to a probationary sentence he is currently serving in Morris County, and was given credit for 122 jail days served. He must pay total fines and penalties of $155 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on Dec. 1, 2008 to burglary, a third degree crime. On Sept. 6, 2008 in Hardyston Township police responded to a call advising two individuals dressed in dark clothing were attempting to gain entry into vehicles in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The defendant left the area before police arrived but was seen a short time later by one of the officers and arrested. Douglas Umstead, 34, of Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to three years probation, which will be transferred to Warren County for supervision. He was ordered to serve 41 days in jail and was given credit for 41 days served, was ordered to submit to a TASC evaluation and follow all recommendations, and was ordered to perform 15 days of community service. He must pay total fines and penalties of $155 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on June 23, 2008 to shoplifting, a third degree crime. He admitted that on May 17, 2008, he removed a miter saw from the shelf at Lowe’s in Hampton and attempted to obtain a refund for it. Brian P. Walsh, 22, of Hewitt was sentenced to three years state Prison and was given credit for eight days served. He must pay total fines and penalties of $205 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on Oct. 20, 2008 to aggravated assault, a third degree crime, and to a violation of probation. On June 14, 2008 and/or June 15, 2008 in Vernon, the defendant had an altercation with the victim at a house party both were attending, punching him multiple times in the face causing a fracture to his jaw bone that needed to be surgically repaired. The victim also suffered multiple cuts and lacerations to his face that required sutures. As he was on probation at the time of this incident, he was sentenced on the violation of probation to a concurrent three years state prison and given credit for 59 days served on a charge of third degree aggravated assault that occurred in Vernon on Feb. 25, 2007, and a concurrent 180 days on a charge of the disorderly persons offense of resisting arrest in Vernon on Oct. 19, 2006. Alverista Hall, 24, of Montague was sentenced to four years probation, was ordered to serve 364 days jail and was given credit for 175 days served. He was ordered to submit to a TASC evaluation and follow all recommendations, submit to random urine monitoring, complete 48 hours IDRC and his driving privileges were suspended for 28 months. He must pay total fines and penalties of $955 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on November 10, 2008 to burglary and assault by auto, both crimes of the third degree, and to driving while intoxicated. On July 31, 2008 in Montague, the defendant and a co-defendant stole a motor vehicle from a residence and Hall, who was driving the vehicle and was intoxicated at the time, ran off the road and struck a tree. Ricardo Rios, 30, of Franklin, was sentenced to six years state prison, $3,330 in fines and a six-month loss of driver’s license. He pled guilty on Oct. 6, 2008 to the second degree crime of possession with the intent distribute more than one half ounce of cocaine and the third degree crime of possession with the intent distribute a CDS within 1000 feet of a school. He admitted to possessing MDMA, also known as ecstasy, on July 2, 2008 within 1,000 feet of Franklin Elementary School when he intended to sell it to an individual cooperating with the Sussex County Narcotics Task Force. He also admitted to possessing more than one half ounce of cocaine on July 9, 2008 in Franklin which he intended to distribute to a person cooperating with the Sussex County Narcotics Task Force. John Dunn, 44, of Ogsdenburg, was sentenced to three years probation, 90 days SLAP and $1,205 in fines. He pled guilty on November 10, 2008 to the third degree crime of possession of cocaine. He admitted to possessing approximately two grams of cocaine that was seized during a course of a motor vehicle traffic stop. Jan. 26 Michael A. Royce, 21, of Newton pled guilty to theft, a third degree crime, and resisting arrest, a third degree crime. Sentencing is anticipated for March 6, 2009. Christian A. Catoggio, 19, of Hopatcong was sentenced to probation 45 days in jail with time served. He must undergo drug treatment, pay court costs and fines and $3,300 restitution to the PNC Bank. Catoggio pled guilty on October 28, 2008 to third degree forgery. He admitted to taking and writing checks from his mother’s checking account totaling $3,300.00. Nicolas A. Scalici, 18, of Vernon pled guilty to burglary and possession of heroin, both crimes of the third degree. Sentencing is anticipated for March 20, 2009. On September 9, 2008 in Vernon, he broke into a condominium unit through a window and was caught by an acquaintance of one of the residents of the condo. He later admitted his actions to police upon being questioned. On Nov. 3, 2008, again in Vernon, he was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for a motor vehicle violation and was found to be in possession of two bags of heroin. Lisa J. Kennedy, 45, of Stanhope pled guilty to third degree theft and third degree forgery. Sentencing is anticipated for March 27, 2009. She admitted that between January 2005 and August 2007, while acting as Treasurer of the Lenape Valley Soccer Club, she used the checking account and debit card of the club to take approximately $50,000. Joseph M. Garofalo, 32, of Newton pled guilty third degree theft and third degree theft by deception. Sentencing is anticipated for March 20, 2009. He admitted to receiving stolen property belonging to Costco, which he knew was stolen and attempted to repackage the goods and sell them to third parties. In addition, he obtained money, having a value of more than $500 from two separate individuals by creating a false impression to those individuals. Sussex County Prosecutor Jan. 27 Javier Torres, 26 and Melinda Torres, 23, of 34 Cedar Drive, Franklin were arrested on January 27 by members of the Sussex County Guns Gangs and Narcotics Task Force and the Franklin Police Department. Melinda Torres was charged with two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, namely suboxone and Xanax. Javier Torres was charged with fourth degree possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to distribute it. They were arrested as the result of the execution of a court ordered search warrant following a brief investigation. Glenn S. Gile, 45, of Byram was sentenced to two years probation, six days credit for time served, a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, $955 in fines and a six month loss of driver’s license. He pled guilty on Jan. 27 to the fourth degree crime of possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana. He admitted to possessing a number of marijuana plants on his property which were seized on Aug. 4, 2008 by the Sussex County Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force. Anthony D. Bellina, 23, of Lake Hopatcong was sentenced to three years probation, 90 days SLAP, intensive outpatient treatment, $1,738 in fines and a six month loss of driver’s license. He pled guilty on Dec. 1, 2008 to the third degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and to driving while suspended. He admitted to possessing a small amount of cocaine during a traffic stop on June 24, 2008. Jan. 28 Adam Curry, 20, of Highland Lakes pled guilty to two counts distribution of heroin, possession of controlled dangerous substance, two counts burglary and four counts theft - all crimes of the third degree. Sentencing is presently anticipated for March 27. At two different times in 2008 Curry broke into a landscape trailer in Vernon and took several thousand dollars worth of landscape equipment and broke into a vehicle in Vernon taking stereo equipment. On another occasion in Vernon he also was found to be in possession of marijuana plants at his home. Curry admitted to entering a stor shed at Mountain Creek and stealing a TV, laptop computer and camera. He also sold heroin on two separate occasions. Jan. 29 A juvenile pled guilty to two counts third degree burglary and third degree theft. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, 15, of Sussex was sentenced to 12 months probation with 30 days detention (nine days credit, balance suspended). He must also complete the Alternative to Detention Program, submit a DNA sample, undergo random drug testing, testify truthfully against co-defendant, pay $105 in court fines and $1465.75 in restitution to his victims. On three different occasions between July and October of 2008, in Want, the juvenile and co-defendant(s) entered a home, a motor vehicle and a stor shed, belonging to three different victims, taking various items including an ATV. Jan. 30 Thomas J. Roerich, 25, of Newton was sentenced to 164 days in the Sussex County Jail. In addition, he was ordered to pay $155 in monetary penalties. He pled guilty on Dec. 15, 2008, to one count of the fourth degree charge for a Megan’s Law violation for failure to notify law enforcement that he had moved to a new address. Under the provisions of Megan’s Law, Gardner was required to notify the local police that he was moving to a new address 10 days prior to his actual move. Roerich admitted to the court that between July 30, 2007 and September 20, 2007 he had failed to register his new address with the Newton Police Department. Steven Colfax, 21 of Pompton Lakes was sentenced to three years state prison with 142 days credit. Defendant must register under Megan’s Law, is subject to Parole Supervision for Life and must provide a DNA sample. Defendant must attend substance abuse and anger manment counseling. He is also to have no contact with the victim or her family. Fines and costs are in the amount of $3,330. Defendant from June through August of 2008 had a relationship with an under minor that included sexual contact. David Heisey, 24, formerly of Lancaster, Pa., now residing in Newton, was sentenced to four years probation, ordered to serve 90 days in the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program, pay various fines and penalties totaling $3,021 and suspension of his driver’s license for one year. Heisey pled guilty on July 31, 2008, to leaving the scene of an accident with resulting serious bodily injury, a fourth degree crime. He also pled guilty to the motor vehicle offenses of leaving the scene and failure to report an accident. Heisey admitted that on April 7, 2007 in the Borough of Sussex, he drove a vehicle and struck a pedestrian, Alexander Ezzo. Heisey then fled the scene. Ezzo sustained a fractured leg. Feb. 2 Howard L. Newton, 41, of Frankford pled guilty to aggravated assault, a third degree crime. Sentencing is presently anticipated for March 6. On September 17, 2008 in Sussex Borough, the defendant got into a physical altercation with another individual, with the victim sustaining an injury to his face that required 16 stitches. Several witnesses confirmed to police that the defendant was the aggressor in the altercation. David M. Bryan, 28, of Vernon pled guilty to aggravated assault by throwing bodily fluids, a fourth degree crime, and to motor vehicle violations of driving while intoxicated and refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test. Sentencing is presently anticipated for Feb. 18. On Aug. 29, 2008 in Franklin, after responding to a call for someone continually calling and harassing a resident, police observed the defendant drive away from the residence, initiated a motor vehicle stop and arrested him for driving while intoxicated. While at the police station for processing he began spitting in the direction of several officers. Thomas Mackerley, 38, of Montague pled guilty to one count of a fourth degree charge for a Megan’s Law violation for failure to notify law enforcement that he had moved to a new address. Under the provisions of Megan’s Law, Mackerley was required to notify the local police that he was moving to a new address 10 days prior to his actual move. Mackerley admitted to the court that on October 8, 2008 he had moved to a new address in Montague Township without first notifying the Stillwater Township Police Department of the change in his address. Joshua Gardepe, 27, of Highland Lakes pled guilty to assault by auto, a fourth degree crime and driving while intoxicated. Sentencing is presently anticipated for March 20. Gardepe admitted that on August 17, 2008, in the Township of Stillwater, he drove his motorcycle recklessly thereby causing bodily injury to passenger Gemma Hammond. Khalif A. Rasul, 28, of Tobyhanna, Pa. pled guilty to third degree aiding escape and third degree hindering apprehension. Sentencing is presently anticipated for March 13. He admitted that on or about December 29, 2007, he provided Keith Garcia with a cell phone and transportation to assist in his escape from Mountainview Correctional Facility and then aided in his attempt to avoid apprehension. Feb. 3 Robert M. Farruggia, 47, of Netcong pled guilty to third degree theft. Sentencing is presently anticipated for April 3. He admitted that between June 6, 2004 and April 13, 2007, he stole approximately $35,000 from the treasury of The Lenape Blazers Girls Softball Team while he was the team treasurer and used the money to pay for his own personal expenses. Daniel G. Meshefsky, 37, of Lake Hopatcong pled guilty to theft of services, a third degree crime. Sentencing is presently anticipated for March 20. The defendant rented a dump trailer from a rental center in Andover Borough on June 2, 2008 using a Visa card and when the bill was presented for payment to Visa the card was denied.