Arrest in Hazmat Dumping Case

Lacey Township, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Lacey Police Chief David A. Paprota today announce the arrest of Nico Morgan, 24, of Lacey for Second Degree Purposely and Knowingly Causing a Release and Abandonment of Hazardous Toxic Pollutants.

 The arrest stems from an investigation begun on Sunday, August 10, 2014, at 10:41 pm by Lacey Township Police department.  On that date and time police and fire units were dispatched for a report of a vehicle in the woods on Lacey Road near mile post 6.  Upon arrival emergency personnel found no vehicle present, however, there was a large spill across Lacey Road.  Further investigation revealed five 55 gallon plastic containers on the side of the road and in the bordering woods.  Two containers, which were empty, had leaked on the road and the wetlands.

 Lacey Police Traffic Safety Officers Rob Flynn II and Jeff Slota observed and followed a trail of alleged diesel fuel to a Capshaw Road address.  There they observed a black Jeep Cherokee with damage to the passenger side and the rear tire missing.  The Jeep was attached to a trailer containing one 55 gallon drum with what is believed to be diesel fuel.  The officer’s investigation revealed the operator of the Jeep was Nico Morgan who resides at 38 Saltspray Drive in Lacey.

 On Monday, August 11, 2014, at 10 am, the investigating Lacey Officers requested Ocean County Environmental Unit Detective Thomas Haskell and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Sgt. Joseph Greene respond to assist in their investigation.  After conferring briefly, the above charge was approved by Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone.  Morgan’s bail has been set at $15,000 no 10%.  He is free in lieu of bail to appear in court on a future date.

 Officials from the Department of Environmental Protection were notified and will supervise the site clean-up.  The defendant will be responsible for the full expense of the site remediation if convicted.