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Arrested: Jonathon Sung Back, age 19, of New City, NY. < Back NY man arrested in Sparta for DWI Arrested: Jonathon Sung Back, age 19, of New City, NY. Previous Next On Sunday, August 18, 2013, while assigned to countywide DWI enforcement as part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, Sergeant John Gray observed a black BMW, operated by Mr. Back, speeding and failing to maintain his lane on Route 94 in Sparta Township. Sergeant Gray initiated a motor vehicle stop and interviewed Mr. Back. Upon further investigation, Sergeant Gray determined Mr. Back was intoxicated. Additionally, Back was found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Back was arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. He was issued summonses for DWI, speeding, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, possession of an open container/alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) in an amount less than 1/2 ounce, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia Back was given a future court date to appear in Sparta Township Municipal Court and released to the care of a responsible party. Sheriff’s officers Samantha Schilling and Johnny Swords assisted in the arrest.

Community Programs Crime Stoppers Crime Stoppers is a program designed to encourage cooperation between citizens and the law enforcement community . Wanted List See the complete list of Sussex County's Wanted Pr oject Lifesaver The Project Lifesaver program provides assistance to residents who are primary caregivers for an individual with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia disorder as well as families of children afflicted with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injuries or cognitive impairments. Community Alerts Sussex County residents are encouraged to register their phone numbers with the Swift911 program. Another program, Register Ready, should be utilized by people who have disabilities which might interfere with their ability to safely evacuate in the case of an emergency. Community Programs The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office’s goals in offering our community programs are to reduce the criminal victimization of all of our residents, especially senior citizens and enhance the delivery of law enforcement services. These programs provide the opportunity for an exchange of information between law enforcement and the community. L.E.A.D. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office L.E.A.D. program offers substance abuse education to the youth of Sussex County in conjunction with area school districts. CERT The Community Emergency Response Team is made up of volunteers who give critical support to first responders in emergencies and provide immediate assistance to victims.

Arrested: Gerard J. Pollastro, age 40, of Wantage Township, NJ. < Back Sheriff's officers arrest Wantage man for DWI Arrested: Gerard J. Pollastro, age 40, of Wantage Township, NJ. Previous Next At approximately 10:00 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, December 20, 2012, Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling was assigned to traffic enforcement within Wantage Township. While patrolling that area, she observed a motor vehicle operated by Gerard Pollastro failing to maintain his lane of traffic. After initiating a motor vehicle stop, speaking with Pollastro, and observing him attempt to perform several field sobriety tests, Sheriff’s Officer Schilling found him to be intoxicated. Officer Schilling took Pollastro into custody and transported him back to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and released pending a future court appearance in Wantage Township Municipal Court. He was issued summonses for reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and driving while intoxicated. Sheriff’s Officer Scott Haggerty and Sheriff’s Sergeant John Gray assisted in the arrest.

Richard Gannon vs Lauren Russell < Back Upcoming sheriff's sale of assets Richard Gannon vs Lauren Russell Previous Next Docket #FM 19-39-05 Richard Gannon vs Lauren Russell On Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., the following assets will be sold at a public sale on the premises of AA-1 Storage located at 155 Brooks Flat Road, Ogdensburg, NJ: One 1998 Caterpillar 320B Excavator, Vin 4MR00432 One John Deere 450E Dozer, Vin # T0450EC742076 One 1998 Caterpillar 312B, Excavator Vin # 9HR02433 This sale was previously scheduled to take place December 11, 2012, January 8, 2013 and then January 17, 2013. All items are sold in an ‘as is’ condition. Purchaser must pay purchase price at the time of sale in cash or certified check made payable to the Sussex County Sheriff and remove the items following the sale. The sheriff reserves the right to adjourn these sales; the foregoing scheduled dates are subject to change. For more information. contact the Civil Process Unit at 973.579.0850.

About Sheriff's Sales EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Based upon the advice of Senator Britnee N. Timberlake (click here) and pending Judicial review of the Community Wealth Preservation Program (CWPP), the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is suspending participation in the NONPROFIT portion of the CWPP. Accordingly, we will not be accepting nonprofit registrations at this time. COMMUNITY WEALTH PRESERVATION PROGRAM ANYONE UTILIZING THE COMMUNITY WEALTH PRESERVATION PROGRAM MUST CONTACT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND PROVIDE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION 5 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY SALE DATE Please click HERE for more information What is a Sheriff’s Sale? A sheriff’s sale, generally the last step in the foreclosure process, is a forced sale of real property at public auction. Foreclosure is the legal process initiated by a lender who holds a mortgage on a property in which the borrower/property owner has defaulted on repaying the loan. This action enables the financial institution to foreclose or terminate the rights of the property owner and force the sale of the property to recoup its loan loss. When and Where Sheriff’s sales are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month (excluding holidays) at 2:00 p.m. in the historic Sussex County Courthouse, 3 High Street in Newton, New Jersey. If you plan to attend a sheriff’s sale, you should contact the Foreclosure Unit at 973.579.0850 to make sure a property scheduled for sale has not been adjourned or otherwise postponed. Notice of Sales/Advertisement Electronic Bulletin Board Notices of sales are posted on the electronic bulletin board outside the office of the Foreclosure Unit. Newspapers All sheriff’s sales for real property are advertised for four consecutive weeks prior to the initial date of sale. The Sussex County Sheriff's Office legal notices and sales will be advertised in the Advertiser News North and the Township Journal. Online database The Foreclosure Unit maintains an online database of sheriff’s sales which is continually updated as information changes. While every effort is made to insure that these listings are accurate and timely, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office does not warrant or guarantee the reliability of same. Click to access the database of sheriff’s sales Resources for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure >> Sheriff's Sale Procedures The following information is provided as a public service by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and is intended to present a general overview regarding how sheriff’s sales are conducted. We strongly urge anyone who plans to acquire real property through a sheriff’s sale to seek legal advice and exercise extreme caution. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. For The Defendant (Homeowner/Debtor) The homeowner may, at any time prior to the sale try to stop their home from going to foreclosure sale by reinstating the amount owed, pay the judgment in full, obtain another loan, etc. Defendant Adjournments: Prior and up to 2:00 p.m. on the day of the sale, a homeowner may make up to two (2) adjournment requests, not exceeding 30 calendar days for each adjournment, per NJ Statute NJSA 2A:17-36. Contact the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at 973-579-0850. New Jersey Statute NJSA 2A:17-36 allows for an additional consensual adjournment only if both the lender and the debtor agree. Defendant Rights Post-Sale: Following the sale, the homeowner has a period of 10 calendar days in which the property can be redeemed. During this time, they are still the lawful owner of the property. The redemption period can only be extended through court order. (Contact the Courts for an extension if needed, not the Sheriff’s Office.) ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. For Plaintiff Attorneys In order to initiate a sheriff’s sale for real property in foreclosure, you must supply our office with the following: Written request that the sale be scheduled Writ of Execution plus 2 copies $2,000.00 deposit Short form description for advertising purposes Clear legal Schedule A for deed Affidavit of Consideration for sheriff’s deed plus 1 copy Affidavit of Diligent Inquiry [Rule 4:64-2(d)] Notice to Tenants (Appendix XII-K, adopted 11/17/09) Please note that a representative from your firm is required to be present at the time of the sale. If you need further information or assistance, please contact us at 973.579.0850.

Capt. George Kately and Lt. Lawrence Beller receive recognition in new “Courthouse Kudos” program. < Back Sheriff's personnel honored by New Jersey Judiciary Capt. George Kately and Lt. Lawrence Beller receive recognition in new “Courthouse Kudos” program. Previous Next Capt. George Kately and Lt. Lawrence Beller were recently honored by the Morris/Sussex Vicinage of the New Jersey Judiciary as part of its new “Courthouse Kudos” recognition program. These officers received their honors due to the close collaboration and support they have offered the court, particularly during the days immediately following Superstorm Sandy. Kately and Beller were presented with their respective awards by Superior Court Judge Thomas L. Weisenbeck and Trial Court Administrator Rashad Shabaka-Burns. A 25-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Capt. Kately has been a member of the Sheriff’s Office since 1988. He currently serves as a supervisor of the Bureau of Law Enforcement. An 18-year veteran, Lt. Beller has served as a member of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 1995. He is currently assigned to supervise the Courts and Transportation Unit. Sheriff Strada joins the New Jersey Judiciary in commending these officers.

Sheriff's Office History The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is the first and oldest established law enforcement agency in Sussex County. The first sheriff was Joseph Brackenridge. He was appointed on November 12, 1753 and served for eleven months. The second sheriff was Morris Robeson who served as sheriff for three years and that has since been the established term of office. Past Sussex County Sheriffs 1753-54 Joseph Brackenridge 1754-57 Morris Robeson 1757-60 Peter Schenck 1760-63 Issaac Hull 1763-66 Ephraim Darby 1766-69 Jacob Stan 1769-72 Hugh Hughes 1772-75 Thomas Potts 1775-79 Philip Dodderer 1779-82 William Kerr 1782-85 Mark Thompson 1785-88 William Kerr 1788-91 James Hyndshaw 1791-94 Mark Thompson 1794-97 James Hyndshaw 1797-97 Charles Pemberton 1797-03 George Bidelman 1803-06 Charles Pemberton 1806-09 John Gustin 1809-12 Ephraim Green, Jr. 1812-15 John Linn 1815-18 Daniel Swayze 1818-21 William Darrah 1821-24 Van Cleve Moore 1824-25 George Mushback 1825-28 Benjamin Hamilton 1828-31 Lewis DeCamp 1831-34 Uzal C. Hagerty 1834-37 Alexander Boyles 1837-40 John Broderick 1840-43 George H. McCarter 1843-46 Andrew Shiner 1846-49 Joseph A. Osborn 1849-52 George H. Neldon 1852-55 Frederick Arvis 1855-58 Richard E. Edsall 1858-61 Peter S. Decker 1861-64 Charles Arvis 1864-67 James Smith 1867-70 Jesse Ward 1870-73 Thomas Simonson 1873-79 William Ross 1879-83 William L. Decker 1883-85 Jacob E. Hornbeck 1885-88 J.T. Kays 1888-91 Henry C. Stoll 1891-94 William J. Williams 1894-97 Peter S. Gunderman 1897-00 Joseph C. Andress 1900-01 John N. Hotalin 1901-06 Joseph C. Andress 1906-08 Judson Kilpatrick Gunn 1908-11 Joseph C. Andress 1911-12 George N. Harris 1912-16 Edward C. Maines 1916-18 William D. Wilson 1918-22 Israel D. Chardavogne 1922-24 Linus B. Littel 1924-27 B.V. Mackerley 1927-29 Peter H. Lanterman 1929-32 Arthur D. Wilson 1932-35 Claude Paddock 1935-38 Sydney Webster 1938-41 Denton J. Quick 1941-44 Russell Van Atta 1944-47 Clarence Hazen 1947-56 James Skok 1956-84 Gerald “Bucky” Willis 1984-89 Fred Cooper 1989-89 Michael Blahut 1989-10 Robert E. Untig 2011- ____ Michael F. Strada

< Back Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Commissions the Sussex Technical School’s Graphic Arts Class to Design New Logo for Rescue Vehicle Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently called upon the students in the Sussex Technical School’s Graphic Design class to develop a new and modern Sheriff’s Office badge logo for their Polaris All Terrain Rescue Vehicle. Working closely with the Graphic Design teacher, Mr. Steven Styles, the class was able to design and submit multiple entries for Sheriff Strada’s review. Ms. Gabrielle Singer, a graduating Senior from the Sussex Technical School designed the winning submission. “This was a project that I felt was important to the local students as they were able to see their hard work used in a “real life” application” said Sheriff Strada. The Polaris UTV will be used by the Sussex County Sheriff’s office in the event of a rescue in areas of the county that are more difficult to access. Sheriff Strada was able to have the project completed just in time for the class to see the finished product. “I want to thank the students and Mr. Styles for working together with myself and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office to create such a great logo” said Sheriff Strada. Pictured From left to right: Aidan Gagg, Courtney Breur, Gabrielle Singer, Kurt Hughes, Mr. Styles

He graduated from the FBI National Academy Program’s 260th session held in Quantico, Virginia. < Back Sheriff Strada graduates FBI program He graduated from the FBI National Academy Program’s 260th session held in Quantico, Virginia. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada has graduated from the FBI National Academy Program’s 260th session held in Quantico, Virginia. Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI’s ten week program is a professional development course for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders. In attendance at the 260th session were leaders from 47 states, military organizations and federal civilian organizations with 22 of the students from 20 foreign countries. Its mission is “to support, promote and enhance the personal and professional development of law enforcement leaders by preparing them for complex, dynamic and contemporary challenges through innovative techniques, facilitating excellence in education and research, and forging partnerships throughout the world.” Less than 1 percent of law enforcement executives in the country ever receive the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy. As a leader with a proven record as a professional within the law enforcement community, Sheriff Strada considers it an honor and a privilege to have been chosen to attend.

Students from the Marian McKeown Elementary School attended the program. < Back Fifth graders graduate from L.E.A.D. Students from the Marian McKeown Elementary School attended the program. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is proud to announce that the 5th grade students from the Marian McKeown Elementary School have graduated from the Sussex County Sheriff’s L.E.A.D. program. Under the direction of Sussex County Sheriff’s Officer Lewis LaBar and 5th grade teachers Mr. Wilpert and Miss Crane, fifty 5th grade students regularly attended weekly classes to graduate. Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) is a community-based program which was founded in 2014 in New Jersey. In Sussex County, the sheriff’s office offers the L.E.A.D. program to area youth through the local schools. The aim of L.E.A.D. is to educate the county’s youth about substance abuse. Its curriculum covers alcohol and drug resistance, violence prevention and anti-bullying. It goes beyond traditional programs, however, as the critical thinking, decision making and interpersonal skills it instills can be used in everyday life. Lessons cover issues such as consequences, pressures, ways to say no, effects of the media, stress, alternatives, conflict resolution and improving self-esteem. These lessons, designed around a problem-solving model, offer a variety of interactive, role-playing and cooperative learning activities, all of which serve to empower kids to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in violent activities. Sheriff Strada is proud to offer this program in ten schools throughout the county and states “I couldn’t be more proud of the kids that graduated today. Their willingness to learn about making good decisions can affect the rest of their lives and it’s important to their futures.”

Arrested: Kenneth Wilkins, age 23, of Branchville, Steven Pierce, age 36, formerly of Stillwater Township and Joseph Selobyt, age 45, of Frankford Township, NJ. < Back Narcotics distributor arrested in Frankford Township Arrested: Kenneth Wilkins, age 23, of Branchville, Steven Pierce, age 36, formerly of Stillwater Township and Joseph Selobyt, age 45, of Frankford Township, NJ. Previous Next On Tuesday, March 4, 2014, members of the Sussex County Guns, Gangs, and Narcotics Task Force, accompanied by New Jersey State Police troopers and an officer from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, arrested Kenneth Wilkins and Joseph Selobyt during a motor vehicle stop in Frankford Township. Selobyt, who was already the subject of an outstanding Superior Court warrant for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, was also found to be in possession of 60 bags of cocaine weighing approximately 18 grams and 5 grams of raw (uncut) heroin at the time of his arrest. Both Selobyt and Wilkins were transported to the New Jersey State Police barracks in Augusta for processing before being lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. Kenneth Wilkins was charged with aiding in the distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. He remains incarcerated at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail with no 10% option. Joseph Selobyt was charged with six separate counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute. He remains incarcerated at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 bail with no 10% option. On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, members of the Sussex County Guns, Gangs, and Narcotics Task Force along with Sussex County Sheriff’s officers conducted additional investigations at Selobyt’s residence. During the course of that investigation, officers discovered additional quantities of cocaine along with packaging materials and other assorted drug paraphernalia. While at that location, officers also discovered Steven Pierce. Further investigation revealed Pierce to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine and a hypodermic syringe. Pierce was subsequently arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine) in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce, a fourth degree crime and possession of a hypodermic needle for an unlawful purpose, a disorderly persons offense. Pierce was issued summonses for the above offenses, given a future court date to appear in Frankford Township Municipal Court, and released on his own recognizance. Upon the discovery of the additional cocaine and packaging materials in his residence, Joseph Selobyt was also charged with maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility. He remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000 bail with no 10% option.