Thursday, December 03, 2009

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., in conjunction with Chief of Investigations William Schievella, New Jersey State Police Colonel Rick Fuentes, Town of Dover Chief of Police Harold Valentine, Randolph Township Chief of Police Robert Mason, and State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Police Deputy Director Donald Haynes announce the conclusion of a two and a half month undercover gang, gun and drug investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, which targeted a gang, gun and drug network based in and operating within Morris County.

The investigation is a continuing effort of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force, New Jersey State Police Netcong Barracks, Street Gangs Unit and the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S, Morris County Sheriff's Office (SERT, CIS & K-9 Units), Morris County Park Police, Dover Police Department, Randolph Township Police Department and the State of New Jersey Human Services Police Department. The investigation is part of an on-going Morris County initiative which follows an Intelligence Led Policing Model.

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/her rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement and Intelligence Crime Task Force Unit(s) in partnership with the above listed agencies engaged in a short term investigation which took place over the past two and a half months.

The Task Force of partnering agencies worked in a collaborative effort to address an alleged gang, gun and street level drug network that was based in Victory Gardens, New Jersey due to complaints received by citizens regarding street level narcotics distribution, supported by the possible use of handguns.

This operation was a high impact street initiative targeting gang, gun and drug violence with meaningful and measurable results. Ultimately, the investigation targeted those violent offenders that pose a risk to the safety and security of our county.

Specifically, the investigation targeted a network of individuals who were based in the Victory Gardens, Dover, and Randolph area.

This operation resulted in the dismantling of this open-air drug and weapon enterprise which was operating throughout Morris County and based within Victory Gardens.

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

On Friday evening, November 20, 2009, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit, Intelligence Crime Task Force and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Tactical Narcotic Team (TNT) in conjunction with the New Jersey State Police Street Gangs Unit, New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S., Morris County Sheriff's Office (SERT, CIS & K-9 Units), Morris County Park Police, Dover Police Department, Randolph Township Police Department and the New Jersey Human Services Police Department executed six simultaneous search warrants in Victory Gardens and Dover, New Jersey. As part of this operation two handguns were seized.

The following individuals were arrested between Friday evening, November 20, 2009 and Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

Sherrod Arrington
57 Passaic Street, Dover, New Jersey
DOB: 05/31/1976

Swade Jones
49 Polk Avenue, Victory Gardens, New Jersey
DOB: 03/27/1969

Priamo Rafael Lopez-Toro
924 E. 22nd Street, Paterson, New Jersey
989 E. 19th Street, Paterson, New Jersey
DOB: 01/25/1975

(JUVENILE)
Dover, New Jersey
Age 17

Felipe A. Holguin
309 Washington Avenue, Apt. N-5, Victory Gardens, New Jersey
DOB: 08/18/1982

Raynell L. Hall
123 Monroe Street, Victory Gardens, New Jersey
DOB: 03/01/1974

SHERROD ARRINGTON: (Arrested on 11/20/09)
(5) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine
(5) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
(5) counts Distribution of CDS
(3) counts Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine
(3) counts Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
(3) counts Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Cocaine
(1) count Employing a Juvenile in a Drug Distribution Scheme (Second Degree)
BAIL: $175,000 set by Judge Ahto

SWADE JONES: (Arrested on 11/20/09)
(3) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine
(3) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
(3) counts Distribution of CDS
(3) counts Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine
(3) counts Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
(3) counts Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Cocaine
(1) Count Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute (Second Degree)
over one-half ounce
(1) Count Distribution of a CDS (Second Degree)
over one-half ounce
BAIL: $150,000 set by Judge Ahto

PRIAMO RAFAEL LOPEZ-TORO: (Arrested on 12/2/09)
(2) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine
(2) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
(2) counts Distribution of CDS
(2) counts Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine
(2) counts Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
(2) counts Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Cocaine
BAIL: $200,000 set by Judge Dangler (ICE detainer in place)

(JUVENILE)
Age 17
(Arrested on 12/2/09)
(2) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine
(2) counts Possession of CDS Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
(2) counts Distribution of CDS
(1) count Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine
(1) count Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
(1) count Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Cocaine
Morris County Youth Detention Center

FELIPE A. HOLGUIN: (Arrested on 11/24/09)
(1) count Possession of CDS Cocaine
(1) count Possession of CDS Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
(1) count Distribution of CDS
(1) count Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine
(1) count Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
(1) count Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Cocaine
BAIL: $35,000 set by Judge Ahto

RAYNELL L. HALL: (Arrested on 11/23/09)
(1) count Possession of CDS Cocaine
(1) count Possession of CDS Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
(1) count Distribution of CDS
(1) count Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine
(1) count Conspiracy to Possess CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
(1) count Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Cocaine
BAIL: $100,000 set by Judge Dangler

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi stated: "This was a different operation from those conducted last year where numerous kilos of drugs, guns and arrests of gang affiliates were made. With this operation we sought out to do a short term initiative to shut down a street level distribution operation that the citizens complained of as affecting their quality of life. The undercover officers did an excellent job in achieving this goal."

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/her rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.