Police Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Theft by Unlawful Taking
Tuesday, December 23, 2008MORRISTOWN: A former Morris Plains police lieutenant pleaded guilty today to three counts of theft by unlawful taking after authorities said he submitted fraudulent clothing vouchers.
Michael Womer, who left the job in October 2008, submitted fraudulent invoices in 2007, 2006 and 2005 when seeking clothing allowance reimbursements. The borough has an annual clothing allowance of up to $800 for department-approved attire and other items. The theft totaled $679.95 over a three year period.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., said, "Lt. Womer took an oath that every law enforcement officer takes. He violated that oath when he submitted fraudulent documents over a three year period seeking reimbursement of tax payer money for items which were not approved equipment purchases by his department.
"While these acts are disorderly persons offenses, the public nevertheless has a right to expect that our law enforcement officers will be held to a higher standard. The public must have the utmost confidence in our law enforcement officers and when that confidence is broken by a violation of the law it must be dealt with in a decisive way, and not by turning our heads to their transgressions.
"To that end, Lt. Womer now has three convictions on his record. His reputation in the community is sullied. He will pay restitution for the amount of money that he misappropriated and he has forfeited public office and his public jobs for the rest of his life. He will perform 500 hours of community service, which represents approximately 10 times the community service for cases of a similar nature committed by non-law enforcement individuals.
"We believe that this plea strikes an appropriate balance. He is being punished for his transgressions. But the punishment is measured to fairly fit the crimes he admitted to.
"Justice would not be served by asking the court to imprison this defendant.
"While the vast majority of our law enforcement professionals act in the best interest of the people they serve, we do from time to time have officers who act inappropriately.
"I have the utmost confidence in the Morris Plains Police Department, which assisted our agency throughout this investigation. It is clear to me that this is a very isolated and regrettable aberration for that department.
"The cooperation that they provided to my agency showed the professionalism and high standards that they demand of their officers. They should be applauded for their work and assistance on this case.
"I personally want to thank Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Robert Weber, Esq., Lt. Michael Rice and Detective Dan Henderson, both of my office's Professional Standards Unit, Morris Plains Police Chief Jim Abbondanzo and police Lt. Scott Thompson for their dedication to bring this matter to a successful conclusion," Bianchi said.
Filed December 23, 2008 by Agent Bill Swayze
Contact: wswayze@co.morris.nj.us or (973) 285-6200
Network of Gang, Guns, & Drug Dealers Derailed
Monday, December 15, 2008The following is Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi's comments made during the press conference on 12-15-08 regarding a Gang, Gun and Drug Sweep which concluded on Friday, December 12, 2008. This release also includes a quote from New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram and Assistant Special Agent in Charge John G. McCabe of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
Prosecutor Robert A Bianchi, Esq.:
At 6 a.m. Friday, December 12th, The Morris County Prosecutor's Office, federal, state and local law enforcement officers launched the third phase of an aggressive mission to shut down a gang, guns and drug dealing network operating in Morris and Essex counties.
Over 100 police officers, inclusive of tactical teams armed with arrest and search warrants, arrived at residences in several towns, derailing efforts by gang members and drug distributors to rebuild after previous police raids ruined their business plans in Morris County.
It's a hit-them-when-they-are-down philosophy. We used a variety of undercover infiltration methods, changing things up like a boxer so they did not become accustomed to our methods of operation.
They tried to resurrect their business after we already hobbled them and now we hit them again, coming in like an aftershock.
Now they are done, out, dismantled.
The takedown Friday led by my office and 17 other federal, county and local law enforcement agencies paved the way for 130 charges filed against 13 individuals. Those charges include a 1st degree charge of leading a drug trafficking network. In addition we will be lodging additional 1st degree charges against several of the defendants based on the significant quantity of un-cut cocaine which was seized.
These arrests represent the third phase of an aggressive initiative prescribed in Governor Jon S. Corzine's Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods, and at the direction of Attorney General Anne Milgram and Director of Gangs, Guns and Violent Crime Control Strategies Jose Cordero.
By the numbers, these three operations first launched in August have resulted in:
The undercover investigation was lead by my office's Special Enforcement Unit and Intelligence Crime Task Force. They engaged in an intelligence-led strategy that focused on all the facets and functions of a street gang - instead of isolating drug activity from gang activity and arresting numerous minor players after long investigations.
Our goal is to cripple the street gangs' command structure by taking down leaders and high-ranking associates.
That's what we are doing.
This is the qualitative result.
In this case, the investigation targeted a network of individuals who were based in the Denville, Dover, Randolph, Rockaway, Victory Gardens and Wharton areas. Armed with solid intelligence from our new intelligence led policing model, the task force unraveled the network by first tracing its roots to a violent crime in Rockaway Borough more than a year ago.
That dispute on October 30, 2007 involved a man flashing a semi-automatic handgun during an argument, and that ultimately led Dover and Rockaway Borough police to Carlos G. Gonzalez, Jr.
Investigators also determined that Carlos G. Gonzalez, Jr. and his father, Carlos Gonzalez, Sr., were both operating competing drug dealing operations, using fear, intimidation and violence with guns as everyday business tactics.
The investigation revealed that this network was responsible for moving multiple kilos of cocaine and significant quantities of heroin.
On Thursday, August 14, 2008 at approximately 11:57 am, while this investigation was ongoing, Dover Police began receiving 911 calls reporting shots fired in the area of Prospect Street in the Town of Dover.
Investigation at the scene of the shooting revealed that 5 shots were discharged from a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun in a "drive-by" type shooting where the discharged shots missed the intended victim. (Luis Vazquez)
Due to the active investigation, members of the joint task force were quickly able to determine that Carlos G. Gonzalez, Jr. was responsible for the attempted murder of another individual (Luis Vazquez) in Dover.
Intelligence determined that a premeditated murder was in the process of being carried out. So we shifted gears and moved to take the operation down, making arrests in Dover, Randolph and Wharton, seizing numerous weapons (firearms) and $250,000 in drugs packaged for distribution and dismantling two major drug enterprises operating throughout Morris County.
That operation was followed by another on Friday, October 17th, when authorities executed search warrants in Denville, Dover, Victory Gardens, and Wharton, where investigators uncovered a substantial amount of illegal weapons -- assault rifles, weapons with silencers and high powered scopes along with a significant amount of high capacity magazines designed to carry ammunition.
These arrests, again represent the benefits of intelligence/community led policing strategy. We have been able to remove from the streets of Morris County numerous guns, assault firearms, numerous kilos of narcotics and sizable amounts of cash received from illegal activities.
This would have been impossible without the support and guidance of Attorney General Anne Milgram, Director Jose Cordero, in conjunction with the significant assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Denville, Dover, Randolph, and Wharton Police Departments, as well as, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey State Police and the Human Services Police Department.
"The citizens of Morris County are safer today as a result of the efforts of these fine law enforcement personnel."
As it is the position of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, my Administration will not stop here in terms of gaining additional investigative intelligence to attack other criminal enterprises.
And we will aggressively prosecute those who were arrested in these street gang, guns and drug dealing networks.
Attorney General Anne Milgram said "Targeting violent criminals and street gangs is a top priority because the citizens of New Jersey deserve to live in their communities and in their neighborhoods free of the terror of gangs, free of the drug dealing and the gun trafficking. Prosecutor Bianchi has forged a strong partnership among state, federal, county and local law enforcement agencies to move against a major drug trafficking network."
John G. McCabe, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division echoed the Prosecutor's sentiments."Just like many global terrorist groups, gangs use drug trafficking as a means to finance their violent criminal activities. DEA is working every day with our local law enforcement partners to keep our neighborhoods and communities drug and violent-free," McCabe said.
"I'd like to give a special thanks to numerous agencies and individuals, starting with Deputy Chief William Schievella, Captain Jeffrey Paul, Sergeant Dan DeGroot and my entire investigative and legal command staff along with the investigative and support staff who allowed for the multi-faceted investigation to lead to one of the most successful conclusions to date in the County of Morris."
I want to thank my legal team on this case. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office legal team consisting of First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante, Esq., Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Joseph P. Connor, Jr., Esq., Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Robert Weber, Esq., Assistant Prosecutor Vincent Leo, III Esq., Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury, Esq. provided countless hours and dedication and skill to bring this operation to a successful end.
A special thanks to Attorney General Anne Milgram, Esq., Director Jose Cordero, Dover Chief of Police Harold Valentine, United States Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Gerard P. McAleer, State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Police Deputy Director Donald Haynes. Their support and assistance were crucial to this operation.
I also want to thank Morris County Administrator John Bonanni and the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders some of whom I am honored to have with me here today. Their financial and personal support creates the partnership we need to protect the citizens of Morris County. It is the support from this board that allows us to do initiatives like this one.
I also want to acknowledge the many agencies that partnered with us. Without this support our successful outcome would not be possible.
Task Force Agencies
Division of Criminal Justice
New Jersey State Human Services Police Department
New Jersey State Parole
New Jersey State Police (Street Gangs and TEAMS Unit)
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration
Denville Township Police Department
Dover Police Department
Florham Park Police Department
Morris County Park Police
Morris County Sheriff's Office (SERT, CIS & K-9)
Morris Plains Police Department
Morris Township Police Department
Morristown Police Department
Mt. Olive Police Department
Parsippany Police Department
Randolph Township Police Department
Rockaway Borough Police Department
Rockaway Township Police Department
Roxbury Police Department
Wharton Police Department
Essex County Prosecutor's Office
Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety.
Somerset County Prosecutor's Office
Sussex County Prosecutor's Office
Warren County Prosecutor's Office
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 or her rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitution and relevant state law.
Suspected drug dealers, gang members netted in raids
Friday, December 12, 2008MORRISTOWN: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi announced today that officers from 18 federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies swept through several Morris County towns, as well as locations in Essex County, making numerous arrests while seizing narcotics belonging to suspected illegal drug distributors and gang members.
The early morning raids started at 6 a.m. and continued throughout the day.
"The operation was another phase of our aggressive and on-going focus targeting the upper echelon of the narcotic distributors and gang members in Morris County. It is our goal to eradicate illegal narcotics, gangs and guns in Morris County," Bianchi said.
"The arrest phase of the operation started early this morning. The operation will remain on-going through the weekend, with more arrests likely. I will address the media along with other officials on Monday," he added.
Joining the Morris County Prosecutor's Office: Dover Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Human Services Police Department, New Jersey State Parole, Morris County Sheriff's Office, Mt. Olive Police Department, Wharton Police Department, Morris County Park Police, Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Sussex County Prosecutor's Office, Roxbury Police Department, Rockaway Township Police Department, Morris Township Police Department, Florham Park Police Department, Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety.
(This story was filed Dec. 12, 2008. Media Agent Bill Swayze can be reached at 973-285-6200).
Death determined accidental in Florham Park fire
Tuesday, December 09, 2008FLORHAM PARK: The death of an 82-year-old man, who was killed in a fatal house fire last week, has been ruled an accident and the cause was determined to be severe thermal injuries, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office yesterday.
After a swift investigation by the prosecutor's major crimes and arson units, along with police and the county sheriff's criminal investigation section, authorities learned the fire originated in the kitchen on the stove.
"The investigation revealed Mr. Welsh would use the stove and oven to supplement the heat within the residence. The fire on the stove ignited the victim's clothing. Mr. Welsh was able to extinguish the fire but suffered severe burns as a result of the fire. Mr. Welsh then returned to the sitting room where he was ultimately found by family members who called the police," said Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq.
(This story was filed Dec. 9, 2008. Media Agent Bill Swayze can be reached at 973-285-6200).
Fatal fire under investigation in Florham Park
Friday, December 05, 2008FLORHAM PARK: Investigators with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Florham Park police and the county sheriff's office are on the scene of a fatal house fire this morning, starting to piece together what happened, authorities said today.
The victim, an 82-year-old man, was found in the single-story home on Ridgedale Avenue shortly before a relative called 911 to report the incident, authorities said.
The matter remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at (973) 285-6200 or Florham Park police at (973) 377-2200.
Babysitter admits to assaulting infant
Thursday, December 04, 2008Morristown: Prosecutors yesterday told a judge they want Khac Tam Nguyen to spend the maximum time allowable for assaulting an 11-month old boy - 10 years.
And if the infant dies from injuries suffered in that assault, prosecutors say they will take steps to see her stay behind bars much longer.
Assistant Prosecutor Brian DiGiacomo told Superior Court Judge Thomas V. Manahan, "In the unfortunate event that this child should die as a result of this assault, the state will seek an indictment for criminal homicide."
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi, after the plea agreement hearing, said, "My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family."
"The defendant pleaded guilty to the maximum charge and maximum state prison sentence for this tragic case exposing her to a 10 year term of incarceration 85 perfect of which must be served before parole eligibility. While this is the maximum sentence that we can legally ask for at this time, we have ensured that in the future if this child were to die as a result of the injuries sustained from this incident that we will in all likelihood charge additional criminal homicide charges that the defendant will have to answer to," Bianchi said.
Nguyen was charged with second degree aggravated assault and second degree endangering the welfare of a child after Mount Olive police responded to a 911 call on Dec. 27, 2007 and discovered an 11 month old victim with serious injuries. Nguyen was babysitting the child along with her two children on that date when the assault occurred.
She is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 22.
Media Contact: Agent Bill Swayze
Morristown girl who died did not suffer injury, investigators say
Wednesday, December 03, 2008MORRISTOWN: Detectives investigating the death of a 12-year-old Morristown girl have preliminarily determined she did not suffer any trauma or injury before she died, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office today.
Before she was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m. Monday, investigators determined the young girl was in the bathroom. Her mother had called 911 at 7:13 a.m. after she couldn't get into the bathroom while trying to find her daughter.
The door was locked. The girl's mother struggled to open the door while her boyfriend ran outside, grabbed a ladder and tried to gain access to the second-story bathroom window, authorities said.
The girl's mother managed to break open the door, finding her daughter in the tub. She was unresponsive, authorities said. The mother's boyfriend ran back to the apartment and carried her down the stairs as he and her mother planned to rush her to Morristown Memorial Hospital.
First responders arrived at the residence and tried to revive her, performing CPR before she was transported to the hospital, authorities said.
Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi said, "There was no evidence of trauma or injury to the victim. Although our investigation is on-going at this time, the cause and manner of this tragic death is currently pending the results of further medical testing. Additional information will be provided as soon as it becomes available."
Anyone with information is asked to call the prosecutor's office at (973) 285-6200 or Morristown police at (973) 292-6614
Media Contact: Agent Bill Swayze
Gun discovery leads to arrest of Newark trio
Tuesday, December 02, 2008MADISON: Two Newark men and a teenager are behind bars on handgun possession charges after a police sergeant on patrol stopped their car last night near Madison Avenue, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.
The pair of adults, Fuquan Cromwell and James Grate, both 22, and a 16-year-old boy crossed paths with Sgt. Joe Cirella at 8:08 p.m., authorities said.
They were in a black Honda Civic with tinted windows, authorities said, noting a loaded 9 mm handgun was recovered by police.
The juvenile, Cromwell and Grate also were charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds, and the juvenile also was charged with possession of cocaine.
The adults are being sent to the county jail, each in lieu of $100,000 bail, set by Madison Municipal Court Judge Gary F. Troxell. The teenager is in the county juvenile detention center.
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 or her rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitution and relevant state law.
Girl's death under investigation
Monday, December 01, 2008MORRISTOWN: The Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morristown police and the Morris County Sheriff's Office are investigating the death of a 12-year-old girl, who was discovered in her family home this morning, authorities said.
The teenager was rushed to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m.
Authorities have not released the name of the girl.
Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. said, "The matter remains under investigation and additional information will be provided as soon as it becomes available."