Thursday, May 21, 2009

MORRISTOWN: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., in conjunction with New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, Esq., Statewide Director of Gangs, Guns and Violent Crime Control Strategies Jose Cordero, Chief of Investigations William Schievella and Parsippany Chief of Police Michael Peckerman announced today, May 21, 2009, the conclusion of a short term undercover gun investigation which was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force in partnership with the Major Crimes Unit, Parsippany Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff's Office. The investigation targeted an individual who had a cache of weapons in his residence.

The investigation is a continuing effort of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force, Major Crime Unit, Parsippany Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Department and the Morris County Park Police in accordance with Governor Jon S. Corzine's Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods, and at the Direction of Attorney General Anne Milgram and Director Jose Cordero.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force and Major Crime Unit in partnership with the Parsippany Police Department and Morris County Sheriff's Office engaged in an intelligence-led, data driven strategy. The partnering agencies worked in a collaborative effort to address this investigation.

On Thursday May 21, 2009 at approximately 12:15 a.m. heavily armed law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Adam Coughlan located at 43 Roosevelt Avenue in the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany. As a result of the search warrant execution the following items were seized:

Numerous assault rifles and other high powered weapons
Numerous high capacity magazines
Thousands of rounds of ammunition

This operation resulted in the seizure of over 40 firearms many of which were loaded.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is currently working with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the New Jersey State Police and Morris County Sheriff's Office to determine if the seized weapons were used in any other violent crimes.

Arrested/Charges:

Adam Coughlan
43 Roosevelt Avenue, Lake Hiawatha, NJ
DOB: 06/30/1980

(3) counts Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm with a high capacity detachable magazine
Unlawful Possession of High-Capacity Magazines

BAIL: $200,000 cash/bond set by Judge John B. Dangler, JSC

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi stated: "This arrest again represents the benefits of pursuing an intelligence/community led policing strategy. Our collaborative partnership has resulted in the significant seizure of over 40 firearms. Within the past year, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office has removed from the streets of Morris County in excess of over 80 guns and assault firearms. This is in addition to numerous kilos of narcotics and sizable amounts of cash received from illegal activities.

The citizens of Morris County are safer today as a result of the efforts of these fine law enforcement personnel. This investigation is on-going and it will take us several days to sort through the voluminous amounts of evidence which was seized. Additional charges are anticipated."

New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram stated "This is another example of how important it is for law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, county and local levels to share information and resources and target the most dangerous suspects, I applaud Prosecutor Bianchi and the team he put together in this investigation in getting this cache of dangerous weapons off the streets."

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.

(For more information, please call Media Contact, Captain Jeffrey S. Paul at 973 285-6200.)