SUSSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Dec. 3 An indictment charges Joseph P. Columbo, 37, of Boonton, with two counts of third-degree theft, two counts of fourth-degree issuing bad checks and two counts of third-degree issuing bad checks. The grand jury alleges that on or about Aug. 28, 2008, Columbo issued checks totaling $2,000 to an area auto parts supplier and the checks were returned because of insufficient funds. An indictment charges Doreen Twomey, 50, of Portland, Pa., with third-degree issuing a bad check. The grand jury alleges that on or about Sept. 22, 2009, Twomey issued a check to the USA Credit Union in the amount $1,680 knowing she did not have the funds to cover the payment. An indictment charges Dana M. Fallas, 27, of Budd Lake, with one count of fourth-degree shoplifting and two counts of third-degree shoplifting. The grand jury alleges that on July 15, 2009, Fallas and an accomplice attempted to shoplift items from the Newton ShopRite valued at approximately $200. An indictment charges Brandon L. Kuhrt, 21, of Stockholm with one count of third-degree theft and two counts of third-degree receiving stolen property. The grand jury alleges that on Aug. 14, 2009, Kuhrt stole jewelry while a guest at a friend’s home and sold it to New Jersey Gold and Silver. The jewelry is valued at approximately $7,000. Dec. 7 Kyle J. Mullen, 19, of Stanhope was sentenced to four years drug court probation, 128 days jail, long-term inpatient substance abuse treatment, $405 in fines and $650 in restitution. He pled guilty on Oct. 19, 2009 to two counts of third-degree theft and one count of third-degree burglary. He admitted that on July 8, 2009 he entered a residence in Andover and removed a television set without the owner’s permission. He also admitted that on July 28, 2009 he attempted to steal approximately $500 in currency from another person. Sung K. Yang, 40, of Netcong pled guilty to the third-degree crime of distribution of less than one ounce of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school. He admitted that on Sept. 8 and 9, 2009 in Hopatcong he distributed a small amount of marijuana to an individual cooperating with the Sussex County Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force and that it occurred within 1,000 feet of property belonging to Hopatcong High School. Sung K. Yang, 40, of Netcong pled guilty to the third-degree crime of distribution of less than one ounce of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school. He admitted that on Sept. 8 and 9, 2009 in Hopatcong he distributed a small amount of marijuana to an individual cooperating with the Sussex County Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force and that it occurred within 1,000 feet of property belonging to Hopatcong High School. Kyle Talmadge, 19, of Wantage pled guilty to the second crime of possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. He admitted that on Oct. 7, 2008 in Wantage he pointed a .22 rifle at another individual intending to shoot at them in order to scare them and actually struck the individual. The matter was investigated by the New Jersey State Police. Bryan Schmidt, 31, of Newton pled guilty to the third-degree crime of attempting to defraud a drug test. He admitted that on Jan. 7, 2009 in Newton he attempted to defraud a drug test administered as a condition of parole by depositing another individuals urine that he had stored in a bottle when he had to show up for a test with his parole officer. Antonio Radovanovic Jr., 19, of Highland Lakes, pled guilty to the fourth-degree crime of possession with the intent to distribute less than one ounce of marijuana. He admitted that on Sept. 6, 2009 in Hardyston he possessed approximately seven to nine grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute it. The matter was investigated by Hardyston Police Officer M. Masters. Aaron Wright, 30, of Sussex pled guilty to the third-degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, driving while intoxicated and driving while suspended. He was found to be in possession of four bags containing trace amount of heroin following a motor vehicle stop by Vernon Police Officer Shaun Fitzgerald. He admitted that he was driving under the influence of alcohol and heroin and without a license at the time of the stop. Dec. 9 Albert Faines, age 35, of Montague, was sentenced to two years probation and 180 days jail time. He pled guilty on Nov. 2, 2009, to child abuse, a fourth-degree crime, and DWI. Dec. 11 Justin P. Raia, 27, of Lodi, was sentenced to serve 169 days in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility and was given credit for 169 days served. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $208.65, pay total fines and penalties of $155 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on Oct. 26, 2009 to criminal trespass, a crime of the fourth degree, and to a violation of probation. He admitted to forcing the side window out of the Stanhope Gulf Station and taking money from the register. He was on probation at the time of this offense, having pled guilty to the fourth-degree charge of conspiracy to commit credit card theft for admitting to using a stolen credit card to make purchases at several stores in the Sparta area in December, 2007. Alexander S. Kalamar, 21, of Franklin, was sentenced to three years probation. He was ordered to submit to a TASC evaluation and follow all recommendations, perform 100 hours of community service and attend RDT classes. He must maintain employment, remain compliant with medication and his driving privileges will be suspended for six months. He must pay total fines and penalties of $1,175 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on Oct. 13, 2009 to the third-degree crime of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. He admitted to distributing a small amount of cocaine to an undercover detective assigned to the Sussex County Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force on May 5, 2008 in Franklin. Danielle A. Assante, 25, of Andover, was sentenced to two years probation and 50 hours community service. Assante pled guilty on Oct. 20, 2009 to theft, a third-degree crime. She admitted to taking a wedding ring belonging to an Andover resident. Shawn Baron, 27, of Franklin, was sentenced to three years probation and 270 days in the Sussex County Jail. He pled guilty on Oct. 19, 2009, to Possession of CDS, a third-degree crime. Mark Gero, 52, of Newton, was sentenced to four years New Jersey State Prison. He pled guilty on Oct. 13, 2009, to attempting to defraud the administration of a drug test, a third-degree crime. Keith F. Kessler, 30, of Vernon, was sentenced to two years probation and six months suspension of driver’s license. He pled guilty on Sept. 8, 2009, to possession of CDS, a third-degree crime. Dec. 14 Casey Veras, age 20, of Sussex, pled guilty to joyriding, a fourth-degree crime and two motor vehicle summonses. Dec. 15 Reginald D. Casterlin II, 41, of Frankford, entered a guilty plea to an accusation charging him with third-degree possession of a shotgun without first having obtained a firearms purchaser’s identification card. Casterlin admitted to the court that on or about Aug. 1, 2009, he was in possession of a shotgun that he had acquired without first obtaining a firearms purchaser’s identification card. Gregory Fredericks, 19, of Sparta, entered a guilty plea to an accusation charging him with third-degree criminal restraint and third-degree possession of heroin. Fredericks also entered a guilty plea to the motor vehicle offense of driving while intoxicated. Fredericks admitted to the court that on or about July 8, 2009, he was involved in a domestic violence incident while driving his motor vehicle in Sparta. During the domestic violence incident, Fredericks prevented an adult female from exiting his car. Fredericks also admitted that he was in possession of heroin when he was arrested by the Sparta Police Department. Fredericks also admitted that he was under the influence of alcoholic beverages at the time he was operating his motor vehicle. Craig J. Corvino, 42, of Vernon, entered a guilty plea to an accusation charging him with third-degree resisting arrest. Corvino also entered guilty pleas to the disorderly person offense of simple assault. Corvino admitted to the court that on or about Oct. 21, 2009, he had assaulted an adult female during a domestic violence incident. As a result of the simple assault charge filed against Corvino, members of the Vernon Township Police Department went to Corvino’s residence in order to arrest him for the simple assault charge. Corvino then resisted arrest when Ptl. Herring was attempting to place him under arrest. Peter C. Fawcett, 33 of Sussex, was sentenced to 270 days in jail, four years probation and one-year loss of license. Fawcett pled guilty on Aug. 4, 2009 to third-degree eluding, driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license and driving without insurance. He admitted to driving an ATV along Route 23 while intoxicated and fleeing police. Dec. 16 Christopher Schwarz, was sentenced on Dec. 16. He pled guilty on Dec. 1, 2009 to theft. Schwarz had spent 546 days in the Sussex County jail.