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Strada recently attended a dynamic, intensive and challenging five-day program in Virginia. < Back Sheriff Strada attends FBI leadership training Strada recently attended a dynamic, intensive and challenging five-day program in Virginia. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently completed a five-day intensive training program hosted by the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA). Sheriff Strada was one of thirty participants from throughout the United States who attended the week-long training program in Richmond, Virginia that focused on Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives. The Command Institute focuses on and provides real life contemporary and futuristic strategies and techniques for those in command level positions. Participants engaged in such topics as leading a new command, leading change, organizational culture, surviving and succeeding as a police executive, audits and controls and liability. The training had a high degree of student participation. Sheriff Strada said “Whenever you are able to obtain this level of training it is a benefit to our organization. I was able to learn and network with some of the best instructors in our country.”

Arrested: Michael Maloney, age 34, of Hamburg, NJ. < Back Man arrested at the Newton MVC for multiple warrants Arrested: Michael Maloney, age 34, of Hamburg, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, April 21, 2011, while assigned to the Motor Vehicle Commission facility in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Shilling encountered Michael Maloney attempting to obtain an identification card. Further investigation by Sheriff’s Officer Shilling revealed the existence of several outstanding municipal court warrants and a Superior Court warrant for Maloney’s arrest. Sheriff’s Officer Shilling immediately took Maloney into custody. Maloney is currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in excess of $12,000 bail.

Officers and nurses act quickly to help inmate in cardiac distress. < Back Corrections personnel honored for saving inmate’s life Officers and nurses act quickly to help inmate in cardiac distress. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently recognized and awarded several members of the Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections with honors for their respective roles in saving the life of an inmate during a medical emergency. On the evening of May 8, 2015, corrections officers Brandon Fazio and Jeffrey Hilbert observed a prisoner who had collapsed and was unresponsive. They immediately contacted medical staff and ordered all inmates back to their cells. Sergeants Paul Reiher and Eric Groeger responded to their location along with nurses Jean Thompson and Cathy Toth. After determining the patient was in cardiac distress, Thompson and Toth began CPR. Corrections Officer Fazio and Sergeant Reiher began to prepare an Automated External Defibrillation device (AED) for use and, in conjunction with the medical staff performing CPR, delivered several rounds of defibrillation to the patient. The patient was ultimately airlifted to Morristown Memorial Hospital where he was placed on life support. For their actions in preserving the inmate’s life, Corrections Officer Brandon Fazio, Sergeant Paul Reiher, licensed practical nurse Jean Thompson and registered nurse Cathy Toth were presented with the Sheriff’s Life Saving Award while Sergeant Eric Groeger, Corrections Officer Jeffrey Hilbert and Corrections Officer Michael Scuzzese were presented with the Honorable Service Award. Sheriff Strada thanks each of the above named personnel for their diligence, initiative and rapid action while in the line of duty. Their successful efforts to save a person’s life reflect great credit upon themselves and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections as a whole. From left to right: Corrections Officer Brandon Fazio, Sergeant Paul Reiher, Sheriff Michael F. Strada, LPN Jean Thompson and RN Cathy Toth.

K-9 Blaze had an 8-year career with the sheriff’s office. < Back SCSO mourns the passing of search & rescue K-9 K-9 Blaze had an 8-year career with the sheriff’s office. Previous Next Sheriff Strada is deeply saddened to announce the unexpected death of our search and rescue dog, K-9 Blaze who died suddenly, but peacefully, in his sleep over the weekend. A former service dog for the visually impaired, “Nate” was training at the Seeing Eye in Morristown when he was adopted by Lt. Ellicott in April of 2008. A gentle, docile, dog, “Blaze” as he was renamed by Lt. Ellicott, was so peaceful that he actually had to be taught how to bark. It was this calm, yet playful, demeanor that made him ideally suited for search & rescue work. Upon the completion of his initial training, K-9 Blaze became a certified search & rescue dog on October 19, 2008. Throughout his 8-year career with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, K-9 Blaze responded to, and assisted in the location of, over 40 missing juveniles, adults and seniors throughout Sussex County and the surrounding area. Sheriff Strada joins the men and women of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office in mourning the passing of K-9 Blaze and our thoughts are with Lt. Ellicott and his family.

Process Services Announcement : The Sussex County Sheriff’s Civil Process Business Office is located at 39 High Street, Newton, NJ in front of the main court house with business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Appointments can be scheduled by e-mail or by phone at 973.579.0850. All fees must be paid by check or money order made payable to “Sussex County Sheriff.” CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Any court related business must be directed to 862.397.5700. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the processing and service of all Civil documents that originate from the Court system. These include Summons and Complaints, Writs of Execution, Garnishments and Foreclosures. A Sheriff’s Officer will make up to three attempts to execute the document(s), unless otherwise instructed, at which time the item will be returned to the requestor. Additional mileage will be charged regardless of the success of the service. If you need further information or assistance, please contact us at 973.579.0850. Civil Process Fees Mileage Fees Mileage fees are based on mileage from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office in Newton to the address of service. A mileage fee for at least three attempts is required at the time of request.

Correctional Facility Overview The Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility opened in 1978. Inmate Visitation/Information Learn what is required in order to visit someone incarcerated. Also includes information about inmate mail, personal property, accounts and phone calls. Home Detention Program The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offers an alternative to incarceration for certain offenders sentenced to a term of imprisonment. SLAP Sussex County’s SLAP program provides a structured alternative to incarceration for minor offenders. Directions/Map View a map and directions to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility, located directly behind the Sussex County Judicial Center, adjacent to the parking garage.

Arrested: James Sanford, age 38, of Stanhope, NJ and Torey Posey, age 34, of Newton, NJ. < Back Two warrant arrests in the probation department Arrested: James Sanford, age 38, of Stanhope, NJ and Torey Posey, age 34, of Newton, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, while assigned to the Sussex County Probation Department, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered James Sanford. Knowing Sanford to be the subject of an outstanding Superior Court arrest warrant, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill placed him under arrest and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Sanford was subsequently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail. Later that day, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill encountered Torey Posey. Knowing Posey to be the subject of an active arrest warrant out of Sparta Municipal Court, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill immediately placed Posey under arrest. He was transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and then lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,500 bail.

Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. < Back Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Previous Next Press Release – For Immediate Release Contact: Sheriff Michael F. Strada April 2, 2026 973-579-0850 Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Corporal Kenneth Farber has been promoted to Sergeant. A lifelong Sussex County resident and a 2003 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sergeant Farber began his law enforcement career in 2009 when he was hired as a Corrections Officer in the Sussex County Jail. During his time as a Corrections Officer, he served as a Field Training Officer (FTO), was assigned to the Sheriff’s Operations Group (SOG), and served as a Security Threat Group (Gang) Classification Coordinator. In 2018, he transferred to the SCSO Bureau of Law Enforcement. In 2023, he became a Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) Coordinator, a role he has remained in until now. A certified Firearms Instructor, Sergeant Farber additionally serves as Rangemaster and Departmental Armorer. A graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy’s Basic Corrections and Basic Police Classes, Sergeant Farber also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University. He is the recipient of the Sheriff’s Education Award, the Grand Cordon Award, The Honorable Service Award, the Sheriff’s Good Conduct Award, and the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolence Association Unit Valor Award. At a promotional ceremony this morning, Sheriff Strada stated “Between his time at the Correctional Facility and now in the Bureau of Law Enforcement, Sergeant Farber has dedicated himself to training others and improving their performance. Qualities that I have no doubt will make him an excellent supervisor.” Following his promotion, Sergeant Farber will be assigned to supervise officers in the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transportation Unit. Sheriff’s Officer Kenneth Farber, Sheriff Strada

Arrested: Jennifer Heinzelman, age 28, of Hamburg, NJ. < Back Disorderly conduct at county office results in arrest Arrested: Jennifer Heinzelman, age 28, of Hamburg, NJ. Previous Next On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, while assigned to the Division of Social Services offices in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Christopher Laver observed Jennifer Heinzelman shouting profanities at one of the staff members. Despite repeated requests for her to control herself, Heinzelman continued to verbally berate the staff. At the staff’s request, Sheriff’s Officer Laver instructed Heinzelman to leave the premises, to which she refused. Sheriff’s Officer Laver then attempted to place her into custody at which point she resisted arrest. Heinzelman was eventually taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She was given summonses to appear in Newton Municipal Court and released.

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Inmate Visitation/Information Inmate Visitation To inquire about inmate visitation at the Morris County Correctional Facility, please contact the Morris County Correctional Facility at 973-631-5174, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. For all other times including holidays, call 973-631-5416. You may visit the Morris County Correctional Facility website at: morriscountynj.gov/Departments/Jail

< Back Tip Leads to Arrests in Large-Scale Dog Abandonment Case Previous Next FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sheriff Michael F. Strada March 20, 2026 973-579-0850 Tip Leads to Arrests in Large-Scale Dog Abandonment Case Sheriff Michael Strada and the Sussex County Sheriffs Crimestoppers announce that a critical tip they received has resulted in multiple arrests. Joshua Ciemniecki, 19; Robert Ciemniecki, 74; and Kaila McNeill, 30, all of Phillipsburg, NJ were arrested by the New Jersey State Police following an investigation involving approximately 40 dogs that were dumped and abandoned throughout Sussex County. Thanks to the swift response of Law Enforcement, animal rescue personnel and volunteers many of the dogs were safely recovered however unfortunately some were found deceased. This case marks a perfect example of how even a small tip can result in an arrest or arrests of individuals responsible for such heinous acts. Community involvement played such a crucial role in both protecting these vulnerable animals and bringing these offenders to justice. The Sussex County Sheriffs Crimestoppers extends its sincere gratitude to the anonymous tipster whose information proved to be critical in solving this case. “If not for the information provided through this Crimestoppers tip this case may have gone unsolved, we are incredibly thankful for all of the tips we received in reference to this case” The Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize the dedicated efforts of New jersey State Police Troop B, Detectives and Officers with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, volunteers and Animal Control Officers from Newton and Wantage who provided essential support and care for the recovered animals. This incident serves as a reminder that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Sussex County and those responsible will be held accountable.