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Arrested: James S. Fox, age 22, of Branchville, NJ. < Back Frankford Township motor vehicle stop results in weapon arrest Arrested: James S. Fox, age 22, of Branchville, NJ. Previous Next On Tuesday, May 17, 2011, while assigned to community policing in Frankford Township, Sheriff’s Officer Scott Haggerty observed a motor vehicle being operated by James S. Fox failing to maintain its lane of traffic. Sheriff’s Officer Haggerty stopped the vehicle and, after observing Fox attempt to perform several field sobriety tests, determined him to be intoxicated. Additionally, Sheriff’s Officer Haggerty observed a small handgun in the vehicle. The handgun was later determined to be a small caliber air pump metal BB gun. Further investigation also revealed Fox to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana. Fox was taken into custody and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and released. Fox was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount less than 1/2 ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a handgun without a permit, and several motor vehicle offenses. He was given a date to appear in Frankford Township Municipal Court. During the investigation, Sheriff’s Officer Haggerty was assisted by Sheriff’s Officer Ed Galinski and Sheriff’s Sergeant Ray Loevlie.

Arrested: Colin Haurey and Tamarah Johnson, both age 18, both of Wantage, NJ. < Back Motor vehicle stop leads to two drug arrests in Wantage Arrested: Colin Haurey and Tamarah Johnson, both age 18, both of Wantage, NJ. Previous Next On Friday, April 15, 2011, while assigned to community policing in Wantage Township, Sheriff’s Officer Haggerty performed a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Tamarah Johnson for an equipment violation. Further investigation by Sheriff’s Officer Haggerty revealed both occupants of the vehicle to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Sheriff’s Officer Haggerty took both Haurey and Johnson into custody. Johnson was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several motor vehicle violations. Haurey was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were given dates to appear in Wantage Township Municipal Court and released.

Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to welcome the following new personnel to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office < Back Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to welcome the following new personnel to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to welcome the following new personnel to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to welcome the following new personnel to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s Officer Mark DiGeronimo Sheriff’s Officer Nicholas Galvao Sheriff’s Officer Anthony Reed Sheriff’s Investigator Zachary DiGeronimo Sheriff’s Investigator Brittany Macko Of the five new personnel, three have already attended the police academy and are currently working for the Bureau of Law Enforcement. The remaining two will begin their academy training soon. Pictured (L-R) Sheriff's Investigator Zachary Di Geronimo, Sheriff's Officer Mark DiGeronimo, Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada, Sheriff's Officer Nicholas Galvao, Sheriff's Investigator Brittany Macko, and Sheriff's Officer Anthony Reed. Sheriff Strada welcomes the new personnel and wishes them success in their careers.

Attorney ID Cards The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office has an attorney identification card program designed to readily identify practicing attorneys within the Sussex County Judicial Center. The ID card, available to attorneys with offices in Sussex County, costs $50.00 and the card is renewable every five years. To obtain an ID card in Sussex County, please visit the Bureau of Law Enforcement located within the sheriff’s office at 39 High Street in Newton. You will be asked to complete our Attorney ID Card Information form (including providing your New Jersey Bar number). For your convenience, we have also made the form available online so it may be completed in advance. Download the Attorney ID Card form To view and complete the form, you will need the freely available Adobe Reader software installed on your computer, version 7 or higher. This fillable form may be filled out on your computer and saved to your hard drive and/or printed out. Payment of the $50.00 fee may be made by check payable to the “Sussex County Sheriff’s Office.” Have questions? For more information, please call 973.579.0850.

Arrested: Juvenile, age 17, of Sparta, NJ. < Back Juvenile arrested for possession of LSD in courthouse Arrested: Juvenile, age 17, of Sparta, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, March 31, 2011, while attempting to enter the Sussex County Superior Courthouse in Newton, a juvenile was found to be in possession of LSD, a controlled dangerous substance. Sheriff’s Officer Tim Hecht and Sheriff’s Officer Richard Nicola attempted to place the juvenile under arrest. The juvenile, a 17-year-old male from Sparta Township, physically resisted. After a brief struggle, sheriff’s officers Hecht and Nicola were able to subdue the individual and take him into custody. As a result, he was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and resisting arrest. He is currently lodged in the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center without bail. Sheriff’s officers Hecht and Nicola both sustained minor injuries during the encounter.

Strada recently attended one of the nation’s most respected training opportunities available for sheriffs. < Back Sheriff Strada graduates leadership program Strada recently attended one of the nation’s most respected training opportunities available for sheriffs. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently attended and graduated from the National Sheriffs’ Institute in Aurora, Colorado. This no-cost program is sponsored by the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA). Sheriff Strada was one of twenty-nine sheriffs from throughout the United States who was chosen to attend this nationally recognized leadership training program. He was the first sheriff in Sussex County to attend and one of only a handful of sheriffs from the state of New Jersey. The week-long training focused on contemporary challenges facing America’s sheriffs today. Attendees explored the role of the local sheriff in providing effective leadership for the public good in such areas as public safety, criminal justice system policy, community relations and organization effectiveness and efficiency. Fred G. Wilson, NSA Director of Operations, said “Sheriff Strada is a leader with a vision for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. It is an honor to have Sheriff Strada join the more than 2,500 graduates of the National Sheriffs’ Institute since 1973. The National Sheriffs’ Institute is the only national executive leadership program designed for sheriffs.”

Sussex County Sheriff’s Office receives a demonstration on the use of LifeVac in the use of choking emergencies from a local Sussex County family < Back Sussex County Sheriff’s Office receives a demonstration on the use of LifeVac Sussex County Sheriff’s Office receives a demonstration on the use of LifeVac in the use of choking emergencies from a local Sussex County family Previous Next The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office had the privilege of meeting with the parents of 4-month-old Maverick Scott Chambers who tragically passed away from a choking accident. Kim and Darrin Chambers have formed a non profit called “Maverick’s Legacy” in memory of their son. The Chambers Family has made it their mission to speak with the public, including first responders, on the benefits of the use of LifeVac, a device used to effectively clear the airway of a choking victim. Thank you to the Chamber’s Family for donating several devices to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. For more information, please contact www.maverickslegacy.org or email info@maverickslegacy.org

Sheriff Michael F. Strada announces program milestone. < Back Sussex County TRIAD distributes 1,000th wristband Sheriff Michael F. Strada announces program milestone. Previous Next Sheriff Strada is pleased to announce that the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office/TRIAD organization recently distributed its 1,000th wristband. Ms. Eunice Howley of Andover Township was the recipient of the organization’s 1,000th wristband which marks a program milestone since its inception in April of 2014. Sussex County TRIAD provides black and gold silicone wristbands, free of charge to senior citizens of Sussex County, which are engraved with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office name and telephone number along with a registration number. The registration number corresponds to emergency contact information which can be provided to a first responder within Sussex County identifying the citizen in need who may be unable to communicate with the responder. Several businesses and individual donors are sponsoring the cost of the program. The successful implementation of this program was made possible, in large part, thanks to the generous donations of the following Sussex County businesses. The Senior Quality of Life Foundation Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home Smith-McCracken Funeral Home Arthur J. Gallagher & Company - George Morville The Mitchell Agency The Hampton Diner Deacon Homes If you are interested in learning more about the TRIAD program or are interested in sponsoring the wristband program, please contact Hilary Manser at the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at 973.579.0850, ext. 2114.

Arrested: Natasha McCoy, age 31, of Hamburg, NJ. < Back Woman arrested in Newton on Paterson warrants Arrested: Natasha McCoy, age 31, of Hamburg, NJ. Previous Next On Friday, September 20, 2013, while assigned to the probation department at the Sussex County Superior Court courthouse in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered Natasha McCoy. Officer Cahill believed McCoy to be the subject of an outstanding warrant and subsequently detained her. Further investigation revealed McCoy to be the subject of multiple warrants from Paterson Municipal Court. Officer Cahill immediately arrested McCoy and transported her to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Natasha McCoy was lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 bail.

SLAP The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offers the Sheriffs Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) to certain non-violent offenders sentenced to a term supervised by the Sussex Sheriff’s Office. This program has been highly successful and is explained in sections listed below. Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) The SLAP program is a community-based labor program that provides a structured alternative to incarceration for persons sentenced by Sussex County Courts. Persons sentenced to SLAP are able to pay their dept to society by performing moderate levels of manual labor. This enables them to maintain employment, provide for their families and continue to be productive members of society while satisfying their sentence. Offenders are prudently screened and only those with nonviolent, minor offenses are admitted into the program. Participants are required to follow all rules and regulations or face having their SLAP sentence revoked. At that time, they may be required to serve the remainder of their sentence in jail. SLAP participants provide non-skilled manual labor to nonprofit public and private agencies at no cost. Many organizations within Sussex County use the program regularly. SLAP participants are supervised by armed Officers at all times and are never left at jobs sites without supervision. Work that cannot be done by SLAP participants: SLAP does not work at private companies, personal homes or areas that are deemed unsafe by Sheriff's Office personnel. SLAP participants are not allowed to operate power tools such as chain saws and riding lawnmowers. Participants are not allowed to climb ladders that are over 10 feet off the ground. Participants cannot enter rivers, lakes or other bodies of water. Participants cannot remove poison ivy, oak, sumac, etc. Nonprofit Sussex County agencies seeking to enlist SLAP participants for a specified project must submit all requests in writing on organization letterhead. The request should detail the work that you would like done, where it is located and who the contact person is. Written requests should be sent to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at 39 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860. All jobs must be checked prior to starting; a representative from the SLAP program will check the job site prior to beginning a project. You will also be required to fill out a work request form stating the type of services requested, that form will be provided by the Officer who will contact you for final approval. Please note the following: SLAP does not dispose of garbage collected; it is the requesting agency’s responsibility to arrange for pickup. All equipment that is needed for a job has to be provided by the requesting agency (i.e., rakes, shovels, push mowers, garbage bags etc.). For further information about SLAP, contact Corporal James Aumick or Corporal Brian Snyder at 973-579-0875 ext. 2307

Arrested: Patrick Storey, age 19, of Wantage Township, NJ. < Back Teenager arrested for DWI in Wantage Township Arrested: Patrick Storey, age 19, of Wantage Township, NJ. Previous Next On Saturday, September 1, 2012, while assigned to traffic enforcement within Wantage Township, Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling observed a motor vehicle being operated by Patrick Storey failing to maintain his lane of traffic. Officer Schilling stopped the vehicle and, after observing Storey attempt to perform several field sobriety tests, determined him to be intoxicated. Storey was taken into custody and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and released. He was issued summonses for the following offenses: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and impeding traffic. Storey was released pending a future date to appear in Wantage Township Municipal Court.

Arrested: Christopher Kotz, age 30 and Johnathan DeLucchi, age 23, both of Hopatcong, NJ. < Back Sheriff's K-9 search results in seizure of heroin brick Arrested: Christopher Kotz, age 30 and Johnathan DeLucchi, age 23, both of Hopatcong, NJ. Previous Next On September 2, 2011, Sheriff’s Officer Kieran McMorrow and Sheriff’s K-9 Atlas were assigned to assist the Hopatcong Police Department which was conducting a DWI traffic checkpoint. Sheriff’s Officer McMorrow utilized K-9 Atlas to search several vehicles stopped at the checkpoint. One of the vehicles searched was occupied by Kotz and DeLucchi. Further investigation of that vehicle revealed a “brick” consisting of approximately 50 bags of heroin and a hypodermic syringe hidden behind the glove compartment. Both Kotz and DeLucchi were immediately taken into custody by Hopatcong Police. Kotz and DeLucchi, both charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, are currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000 bail.