Tuesday, June 30, 2009

MORRISTOWN: Shaun Campbell, the East Rutherford motorist whose record includes 12 DWI convictions and 78 suspended license violations, pleaded guilty today to driving while intoxicated and assault by auto after he injured a 48-year-old driver and his 4-year-old daughter in a head-on collision in April.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is seeking the maximum penalty allowable by law: 18 months in state prison for assault by auto plus 180 days in prison for the drunk driver charge and 180 days in prison for driving while his license was suspended, and an additional 90 days in prison as an enhanced penalty for driving while suspended. The total: More than 2-and-1/2 years behind bars.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., said, "This defendant has plead guilty to the maximum time allowed under the law. We need to ensure that these cases are handled sternly to ensure, as best as possible, the safety of the community from the dangers of drinking and driving."

"This is especially so with a person who has shown an utter disregard for the law, as this defendant has," Bianchi, Esq. said.

The prosecutor added, "The Morris Township Police Department and Assistant Prosecutor Brian DiGiacomo did an excellent job investigating and negotiating this case."

Superior Court Judge Salem V. Ahto revoked Campbell's bail following a request by DiGiacomo in court. Campbell will be sentenced August 7, 2009.

Shaun Campbell, 40, had a 0.288 blood-alcohol level when he was behind the wheel of an SUV on April 23 in Morris Township. At the intersection of South Street and Spring Valley Road, Campbell drove head-on into a car, injuring the father and daughter. Campbell then fled the scene, running into nearby Loantaka Park trying to get away from police.

(This report was filed June 30, 2009 by Agent Bill Swayze, who can be reached at 973-285-6200.)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

MORRISTOWN: Carlos "Carlito" Gonzalez Jr., a major player in a drug dealing operation that competed with a drug ring run by his father, pleaded guilty today to gun and drug charges that could send him to New Jersey State Prison for up to 30 years with a minimum of 13 1/2 years before he is eligible for parole.

Gonzalez Jr. will be sentenced on Aug. 7 by Superior Court Judge John Dangler for second-degree possession of a weapon from an unlawful purpose as well as possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a weapon during a drug deal. Gonzalez Jr. must also forfeit $10,525 that was seized during the operation.

He was arrested as part of an aggressive mission to pull the plug on a gang, guns and drug-dealing network operating in Morris and Essex counties. The operation was headed by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury was the attorney who conducted the investigation and handled the plea negotiations in court.

"This was a major success with our new intelligence-led policing model of investigations. A major player who represented a significant danger to the community has been taken off the streets," Assistant Prosecutor Seabury said.

"This operation 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., Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. said.

Bianchi said, "This conviction is the result of our targeting the most violent and dangerous offenders in the county who make our streets unsafe. This significant plea is the result of excellent detective and attorney work of members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, as well as, the indispensible partnership with local police departments and an intelligence-led policing strategy that targets the most serious offenders and goes after them."

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Chief of Investigations William Schievella, and Lincoln Park Police Chief Sean Canning announce Lincoln Park's former chief financial officer plead guilty to second-degree official misconduct before Superior Court Judge Thomas Manahan.

Today, June 25, 2009, Dennis Gerber, age 58 of Saddle Brook, plead guilty to one count of second-degree official misconduct. The plea agreement calls for Gerber to serve 10 years with at least 5 years in New Jersey State Prison before he is eligible for parole.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi stated, "Public officials who have taken an oath to serve the public cannot abuse that trust given to them. They are not above the law and we will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who takes hard-earned taxpayer money and illegally uses it for their own personal gain. In this case, the defendant's actions have negatively affected the entire community of Lincoln Park. I applaud the work of Morris County Assistant Prosecutors Robert Weber, Esq. and Brian DiGiacomo, Esq., as well as, the Prosecutor's detectives, and the excellent police work of the Lincoln Park Police Department who brought this defendant to justice."

Thursday, June 25, 2009

MORRISTOWN: A jury in Morris County today found James Carl Zarate guilty of the murder and dismemberment of his 16-year-old neighbor Jennifer Parks with his older brother Jonathan Zarate in the basement of their father's Randolph home on July 30, 2005.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., said, "I can not possibly thank enough the numerous police officers, detectives, lawyers and support staff that made this conviction of this man who committed these vile acts of inhumanity upon this sweet, innocent teen victim a reality.

"I am so thankful for the tireless and professional work of Assistant Prosecutors Robert Lane, David Bruno and case detective Chris Lombardi. The many weeks, late nights and never-ending commitment to prepare and try this case led to this our 7th homicide conviction at trial in the past 15 months. Finally, justice has been done to the extent permitted by law," Prosecutor Bianchi said.

James Zarate was found guilty of Murder, Weapons Possession For Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession Of Weapon; Hindering His Own Prosecution; Unlawfully Disturbing Human Remains To Hinder Own Prosecution.

James Zarate was 14 at the time of the murder and is now 18. Although his attorney had argued that he only helped his older brother try to get rid of the evidence -- a footlocker containing the girl's body -- and did not participate in the murder, jurors rejected that defense.

James Zarate faces life in prison. Before he would be eligible for parole for the murder conviction, he must serve at least 63 years and 9 months of a maximum 75-year sentence. But he also faces an additional 43 years on the remaining convictions when he is sentenced July 31, 2009.

A jury in December found Jonathan Zarate guilty of the murder and dismemberment of Parks. He was sentenced in January to life in prison.

Jonathan Zarate had said that he was alone when he lured and killed the girl and asked his younger brother to help him get rid of the footlocker. The motive for the killing -revenge after she reported a bullying incident at school in 2003 that led to his removal from school and move Garfield where his mother lives.

As the pair were preparing to get rid of the body by throwing the footlocker into the Passaic River at about 3 a.m. on July 31, 2005, two Secaucus police officers drove by and stopped them. The girl's body was discovered in the trunk and in garbage bags in the vehicle.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

HANOVER TWP.: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Chief of Investigations William Schievella, and Hanover Township Police Chief Stephen W. Gallagher report details of a recent home invasion which took place last night in Whippany.

On June 9, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. Hanover Township Police responded to a residence on Polhemus Terrace in the Whippany section of Hanover Twp on a report of a Home Invasion.

The Hanover Township Police, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit, Intelligence Crime Task Force, Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section and K9, along with the Morris County Park Police and East Hanover Police Department responded.

The investigation revealed that two black males arrived at the front door indicating that they had a flower delivery. Once the resident opened the door, the two male subjects gained entry into the residence and assaulted the female resident thereafter taking various items from the home.

The victim suffered non life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment sustained as a result of the attack.

Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. stated "We are seeking assistance from the public. Anyone who may have observed two black males in a green or dark blue van with a flower business type sign taped on the passenger side of the vehicle indicating that the vehicle was associated with a flower delivery company is asked to contact the police."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hanover Township Police Department at (973) 428-2512 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime Stoppers Program at (973) COPCALL.