Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the July 19, 2018 decision by the State Appeals Court to reversed a Superior Court Judge’s decision admitting former Brick Township School Academic Officer Lorraine S. Morgan into a Pretrial Intervention Program.
Morgan was charged with official misconduct after taking part in a 2013-2014 scheme in which former Brick Township School Superintendent Walter Uszenski, his daughter Jacqueline Halsey, and Morgan’s husband Andrew Morgan obtained full-time pre-school day care and related services for Uszenski’s grandchild at the public’s expense. In order to accomplish that goal, Uszenski’s grandchild was fraudulently classified as disabled which would make him eligible for these services at no cost to the child’s family. Because Lorraine Morgan approved payment for in-home services which were not authorized, she was charged with Official Misconduct. Uszenski, Andrew Morgan, and Halsey were variously charged with a number of offenses including official misconduct, theft, and false swearing.
Morgan applied to the Pretrial Intervention Program but was rejected by the Program Director as well as the County Prosecutor. However, Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels overruled these objections and ordered Morgan into the program. OCPO appealed and a two-judge panel reversed Judge Daniels’ decision.
Appellate Judges Joseph L. Yannotti and Michael J. Haas observed that the decision to accept or reject a defendant’s pretrial intervention application is essentially a prosecutorial function. The panel wrote “it is the fundamental responsibility of the Prosecutor to decide whom to prosecute.” The appeals court underscored what it considered a “major error” in Judge Daniels’ decision; that “the decision was predicated on the Judge’s own assessment of the PTI factors” and that “he ignored the nature of the offense, the facts of the case, and the impact placing defendant in PTI would have on the prosecution of her codefendants.” In reinstating the Prosecutor’s decision rejecting Morgan for PTI, the appeals panel concluded “judicial disagreement with a Prosecutor’s reasons for rejection, as had occurred here, does not equate to prosecutorial abuse of discretion so as to merit a judicial override of the Prosecutor’s decision.”
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
On July 20, 2018, Detective Argento of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Megan’s Law Unit, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, arrested and charged David McBride, 54, of Lakewood for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in the 3rd degree.
McBride had been lodged in the Ocean County Jail on an unrelated charge. In preparation for his release on June 5, 2018, he signed required documents indicating that he would be living at an address in Lakewood and acknowledged his duty to register his new address within 48 hours to the Lakewood Police Department upon his release. McBride ignored this Megan’s Law mandate by not registering his current address with Lakewood PD or any Police Department since his June 5th release.
McBride is designated a Tier 3 Sex Offender, the highest risk level for Sex Offenders. He is currently detained in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today released dashcam video of the July 5th Jackson Township Fatal motorcycle crash in response to media OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests. Prosecutor Coronato felt it important that the release of the video should be accompanied with the preliminary investigative facts of the investigation to assure proper context.
As previously released, the investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s CSI Unit, and review of the patrol unit’s MVR (Mobile Video Recorder) video extracted by the Ocean County Prosecutors High Tech Crime Unit found that on the evening of July 5th at approximately 10:20 pm, a 2004 Red Yamaha 999 Motorcycle, driven by Anthony Griffin, 22, of Jackson Township, was traveling eastbound on Brewers Bridge Road approaching South New Prospect Road when a Jackson Township marked patrol unit observed Griffin fail to stop for the red traffic signal. Griffin drove through the red stop light without stopping and turned right heading south onto South New Prospect Road. The Jackson patrol followed and activated his overhead lights to initiate a motor vehicle stop. At this time, Griffin accelerated at a high rate of speed for approximately 10 seconds approaching Oak Drive where his motorcycle struck the driver side door of a 2008 Grey Hyundai Elantra, driven by Eric Larson, 24, of Jackson Township, who was making a left hand turn to head northbound on South New Prospect Road.
As a result of the crash, Anthony Griffin was pronounced deceased on scene. Eric Larson was transported to Jersey Shore Medical where he was initially listed in critical condition. Larsen continues to struggle with recovery from significant injuries incurred in the crash.
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Stafford Township Police Chief Thomas Dellane announced today the culmination of a one month cooperative investigation into drug activity in the Southern Ocean County area.
Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Southern Enforcement Unit joined forces with the Stafford Township Police Department to conduct an investigation into the distribution of Marijuana and Marijuana THC Oil in the southern Ocean County area. The concluded operation resulted in the arrest of two Stafford Township men on various drug charges.
The partnering agencies’ investigation identified two Stafford Township residences, specifically 772 Buccaneer Lane, Manahawkin, NJ and 1070 Barnacle Drive, Manahawkin, NJ as being utilized by Erik Kretschmer, 23, of 772 Buccaneer Lane and Garrett Mandrona, 23, of 1070 Barnacle Drive to store and distribute quantities of Marijuana. Detectives also identified a 2012 Ford Focus as being utilized by Mr. Kretschmer to store, transport and distribute quantities of CDS to include Marijuana and THC Oils. As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained search warrants for both of the aforementioned residences as well as the listed vehicle.
On Monday July 16, 2018 at approximately 5:00 am, Prosecutor’s Detectives along with members of the Stafford Township Police Departments Drug Enforcement Unit, K-9 Unit and members of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team simultaneously executed search warrants at the listed residences. A search warrant was also executed on the 2012 Ford Focus which was located at 772 Buccaneer Lane.
Upon executing the search warrants, Mr. Kretschmer was located at 772 Buccaneer Lane and Mr. Mandrona was located inside his residence 1070 Barnacle Drive. Both men were placed under arrest on various drug charges listed below and were transported to Stafford Township Police Headquarters where they were processed. As a result of this investigation and the execution of the listed search warrants police seized over six pounds of Marijuana along with 100 vials of THC Oil.
Erik Kretschmer, age 23, 772 Buccaneer Lane, Manahawkin NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana over five pounds with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additional Charges are pending. Mr. Kretschmer was subsequently released on a summons pending a future court date.
Garrett Mandrona age 23, 1070 Barnacle Drive, Manahawkin NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Mr. Mandrona was released on a summons pending a future court date.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
On Monday, July 09, 2018, just after midnight, the Toms River Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to 2114 Route 9 for a report of a commercial structure fire. The location is a strip mall on the northwest corner of Cox Cro Road and Route 9 known as the Ocean National Plaza. The plaza was home to five businesses: Esposito’s Pizza; Azteca Mexican Restaurant and Bakery, Wing Far Chinese Restaurant, Kokomo Nail Spa, and BJ’s Dry Cleaners. Upon their arrival, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the front of the structures roof system. The fire developed rapidly and spread through the roof system causing damage to the entire plaza.
Once the fire was extinguished, a scene examination and investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Fire Prevention Bureau and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office Arson / K-9 Unit to learn the cause and origin of the blaze.
The partnering agencies initially received witness accounts describing suspicious activity in the area of the mall that they felt contributed to the fire. After a thorough scene examination and review of area surveillance video, these witness accounts proved to be inaccurate. The completed investigation has concluded that the origin of the fire was located in the overhang of BJ Cleaners. A malfunction of energized electrical equipment could not be eliminated as the cause leading to the fire being deemed accidental.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in the days since the fire has received countless inquiries from customers of BJ Cleaners requesting info on how to receive compensation for clothing items destroyed in the fire. OCPO investigators have received the following instructions from the owner of BJ’s Cleaners to pass along to these customers:
To our Valued customers,
As you know, fire destroyed the entire building on July 9th, 2018 including BJ’s Cleaners. The cause of the fire was not caused by any negligence by myself or any of my staff. I apologize for any inconvenience and loss that you have suffered.
At the direction of my insurance company, Nationwide Property and Casualty Insurance Company, they have advised me to gather the following information as quickly as possible. Until Nationwide reviews and decides as to how claims will be handled, they have requested the following:
Please forward your response to these questions to: .
Please be aware that any action taken by the undersigned should not be construed as a waiver of the rights of BJ’s cleaners nor an admission of liability.
This has been and continues to be a terrible hardship for my family and myself. I appreciate your patience throughout this process.
Thank you for your business and I look forward to rebuilding my store and to serve you in the future.
BJ Pak
And the staff of BJ’s Cleaners
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Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Richard Buzby announced the arrest today of Dale Brian Ferraro, 24, of Little Egg Harbor. Ferraro is charged with one (1) count of Possession of Child Pornography. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department teamed up in this latest proactive operation to stop child exploitation.
The arrest today (7/18) is the result of proactive cyber monitoring by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit into people sharing or downloading images of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. This latest operation led to the early morning execution of an approved search warrant by the above partnering agencies at 303 Kadlubeck Way, Little Egg Harbor. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman reviewed and approved the above charge based on the investigative evidence seized as a result of the forensic preview of the defendant’s computer equipment. Ferraro is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a first appearance.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Tuckerton Police Chief Brian Olsen today announced the arrest of Laura J. Giacini, 53, of Tuckerton, NJ, on 8 counts of Cruelty to Animals/Failure to Provide Proper Care and one count of Contempt of a Court Order.
Giacini’s arrest stems from an investigation by Tuckerton PD Ptl. Bruce Evans designated the HLEO (Human Law Enforcement Officer), Tuckerton PD Det. Robert Grant and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Off. Ron Braen. The partnering investigators began their investigation on July 12, 2018 after receiving an email from a concerned citizen in reference to possible animal abuse/neglect. Their subsequent investigation located a trailer located at 313 South Green Street which contained 8 canines that were living in unfit/neglectful conditions. Giacini was identified as the owner of the canines and found to be subject to a Lakewood Municipal Court Order barring her from ownership of animals for 7 years. The 8 canines were removed from the property and placed in care of Ocean County Animal Facility which is located in Manahawkin, NJ.
Later the same day, Assistant Prosecutor Kelly J. Biringer, who will be the case prosecutor, reviewed and approved the above charges. Giacini was served her complaint summons and released to answer the charges on a future date to be set by the court.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Richard Buzby today announce the arrest on Saturday (7/14) of Phillip Harrison, 48, of Little Egg Harbor Township for the intentional setting of fires at 1021 Radio Road (a vacant home) and 847 Radio Road (a vacant commercial structure) in Little Egg Harbor Township. Harrison is charged with two (2) counts of 2nd degree Aggravated Arson and two (2) counts of 3rd degree Burglary. He is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
The arrest stems from the investigation began just after midnight on Sunday (7/8), when the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department and surrounding fire departments were dispatched to 1021 Radio Road for a report of a house fire. Upon their arrival, fire was observed emanating from the both the interior and exterior of the home. After the fire was extinguished, an investigation into the fire was conducted by the Little Egg Harbor Police department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit and High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CIU, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and NJ State Fire Marshall K9 Unit.
The subsequent investigation by the partnering agencies determined the origin of the fire at 1021 Radio Road was within northeast corner of the structure along the floor. The cause of the fire was incendiary by an open flame to available combustibles. The investigation would also discover that there was an additional fire that same night that went undiscovered at 847 Radio Road, which was confined to the interior of the building and had extinguished itself without spreading further. Both structures had been vacant for a time and all utilities had been disconnected.
Patrol response by Little Egg Harbor Patrols, Investigators’ examination of area video surveillance and on scene physical evidence forensics assisted investigators in identifying Harrison as allegedly being responsible for entering both structures and setting the fires. On Saturday, July 14, 2018, as a part of the continuing investigation, Phillip Harrison came to Little Egg Harbor Police Department where he was subsequently charged with the above offenses.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced elements of his Traffic Safety/Enforcement Initiative would team up again to remind drivers to drive responsibly. The detail will begin on Friday (7/20), with targeted enforcement on July 20th and Wednesday (8/1).
The efforts of the partnership will focus this time on seven (7) municipal jurisdictions traversing Highway Route 70 in Ocean and Monmouth County from Brielle Borough (Monmouth County) traversing Brick Township, Lakewood Township, Toms River Township, Manchester Township and Lakehurst Borough.in Lakewood Township. The initiative is resulting from the numerous serious motor vehicle accidents that have occurred on this highway. Over 2016 there were 548 motor vehicle crashes on SH 70 including 10% of the fatal crashes within Ocean County. In 2017 the percentage of fatalities attributed to SH 70 rose to 19%.
This safety action will be addressed through three (3) critical components; engineering, education and enforcement. This is a multi-jurisdictional effort supported by the Chiefs of Police and supervisors from the following jurisdictions:
Prosecutor Coronato stated, “The Policing Partnership details have managed to raise significant awareness among the motoring public regarding roadway safety issues, but more important it has led to coordinated efforts by Ocean County Law Enforcement to take important steps toward making commuting local roadways safer. The partnership logistics and plans having been worked out for our prior enforcement efforts on CR539, CR528, Routes 35 and 37 insures the coordinated enforcement element can be quickly reinstituted to address any reports of increased accidents and dangerous driving behaviors.”
This enforcement initiative will bring strict and aggressive traffic enforcement of the various moving and equipment violations that are contributory causes to crashes. These causes include, but are not limited to, Driving While Under the Influence, aggressive drivers, improper turning, failing to yield, failing to keep right, improper passing, inattentive driving, disregard of traffic signal, excessive speed, following too close, pedestrian violations and various commercial carrier violations such as overweight, equipment maintenance and brake pressure.
The participating agencies will also utilize Automated License Plate Reader to identify those operating illegally. Variable Message Signs will be strategically placed no later than July 17th and will read “Traffic Enforcement Detail in Effect” – “Obey All Traffic Laws”. Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office personnel assigned to the detail will utilize unmarked police vehicles.
We continue to ask the motoring public to police themselves by simply driving responsibly.
Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].