Category : Press Release

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the final G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) graduation within Ocean County Schools for the 2016/2017 school year.  The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Lakewood PD, and Lakewood Middle School staff close out this school year yesterday (6/13) by certifying 500 Lakewood Middle School children in the G.R.E.A.T. Program.

To date the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in cooperation with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Dept., Toms River Police Department, South Toms River Police Department and Lakewood Police Department have trained over 2,500 fifth and sixth grade students in the Ocean County area in the G.R.E.A.T. program.  This training was conducted throughout the year in the following schools; Cedar Grove Elementary , Walnut Street Elementary , East Dover Elementary , Washington Street Elementary, West Dover Elementary, Hooper Avenue Elementary, Citta Elementary, North Dover Elementary, Silver Bay Elementary, South Toms River Elementary, Lakewood Middle School, Toms River Intermediate East and Toms River Intermediate North.

The program focuses on teaching children life skills that include decision-making, communication skills, anger management, anti-bullying and respect. The program is taught by Officer’s trained and certified by OCPO, allowing local Law Enforcement to work collaboratively with the School District and the community.  To date the program has imparted life skills/lessons to over 1400 students throughout Ocean County who have completed the school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum.

The Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program is an evidence-based, national and international gang and violence prevention program that has been building trust between law enforcement and communities for almost 30 years.  G.R.E.A.T. is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.  It is designed for children in the years immediately before the prime ages for introduction into gangs and delinquent behavior.  The program is built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula.

OCPO brought the program to Ocean County Schools in 2011 and have been continuously working cooperatively with other Ocean County law enforcement agencies to expand the program locally in an effort to reach as many children as possible.  Those wishing more Information about the G.R.E.A.T. program can go to: www.great-online.org.

Prosecutor Coronato commends all the dedicated G.R.E.A.T. Instructors: Toms River PD Ptl. Pam Slaven and Ptl. Ron Bayer, Lakewood PD Ptl.Steve Nickens, South Toms River Ptl. Michael Schneidt and Ptl. Anthony Giacinti, Ocean Country Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Kirby and SO Bill Zylkowski, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Det.I Taryn Scwartz, Det. Thomas Scalzullo and Sgt. Renee Nauyoks.

The G.R.E.A.T. staff thanks the Ocean County School Administrators and Teachers for allowing them the opportunity to work with their students and for helping to make this program a continued success.  They wish all a safe summer filled with positive life memories and growth.

G.R.E.A.T. partners at yesterday’s graduation from left to right are: Assistant principal Dr. Scott Horowitz (Lakewood Middle School), Ptl. Steve Nickens (Lakewood PD) , Det. Tom Scalzullo (OCPO), Det.I Taryn Scwartz (OCPO) and Principal Richard Goldstein (Lakewood Middle School).

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.

On June 1, 2017 an Ocean County Jury found Christopher Dalzell guilty of First Degree Attempted Murder, Third Degree Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and Fourth Degree Unlawful possession of a weapon.  The offenses occurred on March 29, 2015 at Dalzell’s then residence in Brick Township.

The victim was a female 50 years of age.  The case was tried before the Honorable Patricia B. Roe by Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Robert J. Cassidy.  Christopher Dalzell was represented by Richard Archer, Esquire.  Dalzell is scheduled for sentencing on July 14, 2017.  He faces a maximum 20 year sentence on the Attempted Murder charge where he will be required to serve a minimum 85% of his sentence pursuant to the No Early Release Act before being eligible for parole.  The case was investigated by the Brick Township Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crimes Unit.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.

TRENTON, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, man was arrested and charged today for allegedly distributing images and videos of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick announced.

Michael A. Ruggiero, 35, of Forked River, New Jersey, a corrections officer at a juvenile detention facility, was arrested at work this morning by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), on a complaint charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography. Ruggiero is expected to appear later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From April 16, 2016, to April 19, 2016, Ruggiero used a mobile chat application to distribute and share over the internet images and videos of children engaged in sexual acts. Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact HSI in Newark: (973)-776-5500.

The charge of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents HSI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian A. Michael; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Daniel Brubaker, Philadelphia Division; and members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, with the investigation leading to today’s charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Allende of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division.  The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This morning (6/1), the Ocean County Prosecutor’s High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Toms River Police arrested James Hasenauer, 63, on Lloyd Road in Toms River. Hasenauer is charged with 2^nd degree Distribution of Child Pornography, 3^rd degree Possession of Child Pornography and Child Endangerment.

The investigation was initiated by a referral from the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task force which located a potential source of child pornography distribution in Ocean County.  OCPO HTCU detectives identified the location as the Lloyd Road address.  Today the partnering agencies executed a search warrant at the residence.  As a result of the search warrant digital evidence, a loaded unregistered .44 caliber handgun, ammunition and marijuana were seized from the residence.

Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman approved charges and Hasenhauer will be lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.  The Toms River Police Department will be issuing charges for possession of under 50 grams of marijuana.

The investigation is ongoing and if anyone has information regarding additional illegal activity by Hasenauer please contact OCPO Detective Kaitlin Mantle at 732-929-2027 ext. 2740.  All information will be treated completely confidential.

James Hasenauer

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.

On Friday, May 26, 2017, at approximately 2:41 am, Patrolman John Minor of Toms River Police Department was on patrol on Industrial Way North and noticed smoke coming from the area of Industrial Way South.  Ptl. Minor found the smoke was emanating from school buses on fire at 2301 Industrial Way South, Toms River Regional School Transportation Center.

The fire was extinguished and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, Toms River Bureau of Fire Safety, and the Toms River Police Department conducted the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.

The partnering agencies concluded that the fire originated in the engine compartment of bus #240 and spread to two other school buses parked nearby.  The cause of the fire and subsequent damage to the three buses is deemed accidental.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information, visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.

On Thursday, May 25^th 2017, at 1:21 am, The Lavallette Police Department and Fire Department were dispatched to a structure fire at 1806 Grand Central Avenue. Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed the second floor of a two story, multi-unit dwelling condominium structure was fully involved in fire.  Both Seaside Heights and Seaside Park Fire Departments assisted with fire suppression.

Despite the intensity of the flames responding units found upon arrival, the fire event produced one minor injury.  A 45-year-old male was transported to Community Medical Center for non-life threating injuries sustained when jumping from the second story to escape the extreme fire and smoke conditions.

The subsequent investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes/Arson Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Lavallette Police Department determined that the area of origin was on the exterior of the south side of the structure, along a balcony style walkway on the second floor.  The point of origin is on top of outdoor carpeting that lined the floor of the walkway in between unit #7 and unit #8. The cause of the fire is deemed accidental and improperly discarded smoking material cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information, visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.

This morning, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced that on May 22, 2017, Nicholas Piccolino, 34, of Seaside Heights, pled guilty before Judge James M. Blaney, J.S.C., to one count of Cruelty to Animal 3rd degree for causing serious bodily injury and death to a 10 year-old female Bichon Frise dog named “Booshu.”  Mr. Piccolino’s sentencing is tentatively scheduled for July 7, 2017.  Link to Ocean County Prosecutor Press Release:  https://oceancountyprosecutor.org/seaside-heights-man-pleads-guilty-death-booshu/

The NJSPCA commends Ocean County Prosecutor Coronato, Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman and the entire staff for taking the time to work with the NJSPCA on this case and seeing this prosecution through to a successful outcome.  It is highly likely that Mr. Piccolino will see jail time for up to one year behind bars for his crimes against a defenseless fifteen pound animal. 

Unfortunately, this is the first time in a very time we have seen a perpetrator facing significant jail time for animal cruelty.   Thankfully, we are beginning to see Prosecutors like Mr. Coronato take the prosecution of animal cruelty cases seriously, like his office did in this case and the recent case against Andrew Mayer in Toms River.  More importantly, it sends a message that crimes against animals are not acceptable and will prosecuted with vigor. We thank Ocean County Prosecutor Coronato for sending that message.

NJSPCA Detective Sergeant Larry Donato, with assistance from the Seaside Heights Police Department, worked hard on this case and should be commended for their hard work and dedication.  It is cases like this, when the NJSPCA works in partnership with local law enforcement and local prosecutors to achieve an acceptable and just outcome.

Press Questions?
CONTACT: Al Della Fave
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ  08753
Phone: (732) 288-7616
Cellular: (732) 814-7347

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced that Nicholas Piccolino, 34, of Seaside Heights, pled guilty yesterday (5/22) before Judge James M. Blaney, J.S.C., to one count of Cruelty to Animal 3^rddegree for causing serious bodily injury and death to a 10 year-old female Bichon Frise dog named “Booshu”.  His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for July 7, 2017.

Piccolino, upon entering his plea, minimized how he caused Booshu’s death by saying he threw her to the ground when she bit him.  He gave this same explanation to the victim/owner after the crime.  Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman put on the record that the Necropsy report stated that Booshu had multiple rib fractures on both sides of her body, multiple bruises all over her body and broken and missing teeth.  Piccolino admitted that Booshu was only about 15 pounds and his actions caused all the injuries to Booshu, and caused her death.

The case and subsequent guilty plea stems from an animal abuse incident reported on August 19, 2016, at approximately 9:55 pm, to the Seaside Heights Police Department.  Booshu’s owner alleged that Piccolino, who was alone with the dog in her kitchen, caused the dog’s death.  An investigation by NJSPCA Det. Sergeant Larry Donato, with assistance from the Seaside Heights Police Department, determined that during Piccolino’s time alone with Booshu, a resident of the house upstairs heard several loud banging sounds and a dog yelping in the kitchen below.  Shortly after, Piccolino notified the dog’s owner that something was wrong with her dog.  Booshu’s owner found the dog dead on the floor of the bathroom.  Piccolino claimed that Booshu “dirtied” herself in her crate and that while he was cleaning her up, he dropped her.

Booshu was transported to Red Bank Animal Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.  A subsequent necropsy performed on Booshu by Dr. Shannon Swist of the NJ Animal Health Diagnostic Lab found that Booshu suffered multiple blunt force injuries to her head and body that contributed to her death.

On September 13, 2016,  having received the necropsy report and having completed witness interviews, Det. Donato presented his findings to Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman who approved Third Degree charges pursuant to NJSA Title 4:22-17c(1) and 4:22-17 c (3)(a) of Torment, torture, unnecessarily or cruelly beating a living animal resulting in their death.  He remains incarcerated in Ocean County Jail pending sentencing.

Nicholas Piccolino

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.

Press Questions?
CONTACT: Al Della Fave
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ  08753
Phone: (732) 288-7616
Cellular: (732) 814-7347

On Sunday, May 21, 2017, at approximately 1255 p.m. Point Pleasant Beach PD was notified of a fatal vessel crash that occurred at the Point Pleasant Grand Prix event.

A 2012, 26′ Joker (race boat: “Smith Brothers”), operated by Peter Smith (driver) of Riverton N.J. and his brother Richard Smith (throttle) of Souderton, P.A., were racing around a 4.5 mile rectangular course when they struck another vessel while in a turn. A similar race boat “Repeat Offender”, operated by James Byrne (driver) of Nutley and David Raabe (throttle) of Forked River were also racing when for an unknown reason the vessel crossed directly in front of the Smith Brothers vessel causing the collision. The crash occurred during the first lap of seven while in the first turn at the second of three water buoys (the 3 buoys navigate the boats through their turn). 

Upon impact, both occupants on the “Smith Brothers” vessel were ejected. The vessel then sank and as of this report has not been recovered. Both brothers refused medical attention, however, were transported to Ocean Care Center where both consented in providing a blood sample. 

As a result of the crash, Raabe and Byrne were stuck by the hull of the Smith Brothers boat as it passed over top of them. All occupants were wearing full helmets. Raabe sustained serious head injuries and subsequently was pronounced dead at 1:22 p.m. The other operator, Byrne sustained serious injuries and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. 

Due to injuries sustained to Byrne, a statement could not be obtained as to why the vessel turned in front of the Smith vessel. Both Smith brothers provided a taped statement at the P.P. Beach PD. 

Det Michael Proto of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is the accident lead investigator. The Ocean County Sheriff Department CSI responded to the U.S. Coast Guard Station to photograph the vessel and document damage associated with the accident.

Operator/Boat Info.

Vessel 1: at fault

26′ Magnum

“Repeat Offender”

Operator 1: deceased

David Raabe – throttle 

Forked River, NJ 

DOB: 11-17-1978 38 y/o 

Operator 2:

James Byrne – driver

Nutley, NJ 07110

DOB: 5-12-1982

Vessel 2:

2012 Joker 26 foot 

“Smith Brothers”

Operator 1:

Richard Smith – throttle 

Souderton, PA 18964 

DOB: 3-10-1964 53 y/o

Operator 2:

Peter Smith – driver 

Riverton, NJ 08777 

DOB: 7-3-1966 50 y/o 

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.

Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the “Heroin Addiction Response Program” (HARP) will now be known as “Blue Hart” (Blue Heroin Addiction Recovery & Treatment) Program.  Along with the new name comes the addition of another participating Ocean County police department.  After exhaustive preparations, Chief Thomas Dellane has successfully prepared the Stafford Township Police Department to join Brick Township PD and Manchester Township PD in providing critical addiction recovery help.

The “Blue HART” program, which initially began on January 9, 2017 under the name HARP was the first of its kind law enforcement addiction help program in New Jersey.  The program allows substance abusers to turn themselves and their product in at any of the three participating police headquarters in order to go to addiction services providers for treatment evaluation without any threat of charges or jail.

On Tuesday (5/23), Stafford Police Department will join this innovative initiative by collaborating with Ocean Mental Health in Manahawkin and Bayville.  Presently, Brick PD is aligned with Preferred Behavioral Health in Lakewood and Manchester PD works with Integrity House in Toms River.  The expansion of the program now makes help available at Stafford PD on Tuesday, Manchester PD on Wednesday or Brick PD on Thursday to seek immediate critical help in fighting drug addiction.

Blue HART is designed to go beyond OCPO’s initial proactive Narcan and Recovery Coach Program measures to offer substantial diversion help in order to reduce the impact of heroin and opiate abuse in our community.  The premise of the program is simple – any person who voluntarily enters the three participating agencies and requests help with addiction to heroin or opiates, or any substance, shall be immediately screened for potential participation in the program.  Though the program is primarily designed to apply to persons who present themselves at the station, an officer who encounters a person outside the police station believing they would benefit from Blue HART has the  discretion,  based  upon their training and experience, to the bring an individual to the police station if the person consents to the voluntary screening process.  The officer/shift supervisor, upon completion of the Blue HART screening process shall provide transportation for the participant to the designated provider as soon as reasonably possible.

Prosecutor Coronato concluded by saying, “To date, Brick and Manchester Police Departments have accounted for over 160 participants accepted into the program thanks to the generous commitment of Behavioral Health and Integrity House.  Bringing the partnership of Stafford PD and Ocean Mental Health into the program is a great step in expanding options to those in Ocean County seeking addiction help.”

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.  For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.