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Civil Process About Sheriff’s Sales The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the preparation and auctioning of real property. A foreclosure is a sheriff’s sale of real property. Foreclosure Listings While every effort is made to ensure that these foreclosure listings are accurate and timely, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office does not warrant or guarantee the reliability of same. Process Services Our Civil Process Unit deploys sheriff’s officers throughout the county to handle many types of civil process.

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

New officers sworn in, celebrating reading, 8th grade jail tour and active shooter civilian response training. < Back Recent Happenings New officers sworn in, celebrating reading, 8th grade jail tour and active shooter civilian response training. Previous Next New Officers Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada was proud to have sworn in Sheriff’s Officer Peter Vex, Sheriff’s Officer Kenneth Farber, Sheriff’s Officer Robert Washer and Sheriff’s Officer William Underwood. Sheriff Strada wishes to congratulate the newest officers and their families as they begin their new careers. Be safe. Read Across America Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada recognizes the role reading plays in our community. He joined Mrs. Shannon Percey’s first graders at Ogdensburg School to read Pete the Cat and celebrate his own love of reading while motivating the children to read. Sheriff Strada realizes reading is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2—Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens and books. Thank you Mrs. Percey and the Ogdensburg School for inviting Sheriff Strada to take part in this important event. Jail Tour Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada had the pleasure of addressing a group of Kittatinny Regional High School students from Mr. Anderson’s 8th grade Social Studies class as they began their tour of the Keough Dwyer Correctional Facility. This gave the students the chance to experience their class curriculum first hand. Active Shooter Civilian Response Training Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada and members of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office-Special Operations Group were invited to speak on the subject of “Civilian Response/Active Shooter” at the Beemerville Presbyterian Church. Members of the Beemerville Presbyterian Church as well as other churches from throughout Sussex County attended. The attendees were taught the concepts of “Run, Hide, Fight” should they ever be confronted by an active shooter. Sheriff Strada and the instructors emphasized the importance of being aware of your surroundings including exits and identifying objects that can be used to hide or fight. Sheriff Strada would like to thank the Beemerville Presbyterian Church for hosting such an important event.

The sweep, carried out in all 21 New Jersey counties, tracks down parents with outstanding warrants for failure to pay child support. < Back Sheriff's office participates in statewide nonsupport sweep The sweep, carried out in all 21 New Jersey counties, tracks down parents with outstanding warrants for failure to pay child support. Previous Next The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office’s participated in the New Jersey Statewide Nonsupport Warrant Sweep. The sweep targets noncustodial parents who are seriously delinquent in making child support payments. It is a cooperative effort of sheriff’s offices in all twenty-one counties, the Sheriff’s Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Family Development and the New Jersey Office of Child Support Services. According to Sussex County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kieran McMorrow, the operation, carried out today by sheriff’s officers armed with arrest warrants, began in the early morning hours and resulted in the apprehension and arrest of seven individuals who failed to pay their court ordered child support. Additionally, two individuals surrendered themselves directly to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Those arrested in the sweep were processed and lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. In order to be released, a delinquent parent must pay all the monies owed. If unable to make full payment, a court appearance will be scheduled and at that time, a Superior Court judge will determine, on a case-by-case basis, the amount that must be paid in order to gain release. Sheriff Strada, noting that the sweep will continue through Thursday, advises that Sussex County residents with an active warrant for nonsupport may want to contact his office to make arrangements for surrender to avoid being rousted by sheriff’s officers. Know the whereabouts of someone for whom an arrest warrant has been issued for nonsupport? Members of the public can use this web site to submit an anonymous tip. Simply navigate to our wanted section, take a look at the gallery of wanted individuals and if you spot someone you can help us out with, click on the envelope icon to the far right of the wanted person’s name to access and submit our tip submission form.

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.

Home Detention Program The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offers an alternative to incarceration for certain offenders sentenced to a term of imprisonment by allowing them to participate in the Home Detention Program (HDP). Home Detention Program Application Form What is the Home Detention Program? The HDP is an alternative form of incarceration for sentenced minimum security individuals. Approved participants are fitted with an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankle which is equipped with GPS tracking software that monitors the participants location in real time. Benefits of the Home Detention Program Participants are able to serve their sentence outside the confines of a correctional facility. This permits the participant to continue with employment, education, rehabilitation treatments and other structured activities. Participants who are medically fragile or elderly who may require extensive medical care or hospitalization are able to receive their care without interruption. Eligibility to Participate in the Home Detention Program Participants must live with a sponsor and have a sentence no more than 364 days and not less than 10 days. Participants must be sentenced by a judge in either Sussex County Superior Court or Sussex County Municipal Court and live in Sussex County or within close proximity to the county. Cost of Participation $50.00 enrollment/processing fee, must be paid with a postal money order (this is a one-time fee) $10.00 a day/$70.00 a week GPS monitoring fee $20.00 drug and alcohol test fee (minimum once a week) Fees may be modified by the sentencing judge on a case-to-case basis. Who is Not Eligible for the Home Detention Program? Any individual convicted of a 1st degree crime or an offense that statutorily requires mandatory incarceration. Any other offenses, please contact the Home Detention Program at 973.579.0865, ext. 2016 or ext. 2017 for more information.

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.

He passed away following a courageous battle with cancer. < Back SCSO joins county in mourning the passing of Undersheriff Tomasula He passed away following a courageous battle with cancer. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Sussex County Sheriff’s Office undersheriff and former Newton police chief John Tomasula following a courageous battle with cancer. A lifelong Sussex County resident, Undersheriff Tomasula began a literal lifetime of public service as a young man when he first joined the Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad. Volunteering in this capacity lead him to an opportunity to work as a police dispatcher for the Newton Police Department and then to his eventual hiring as a Newton police officer in 1985. Throughout his service with the Newton Police Department, Undersheriff Tomasula worked in virtually every facet and rank of law enforcement within that agency. From foot patrol, bicycle patrol, detective bureau and community policing, he rose through the ranks ultimately accepting the position of chief of police in 2000, a role in which he served for 10 years until his retirement in 2010. Having assisted in the planning, restructuring and operation of a new police facility and 9-11 communications center during his tenure as chief of police, Undersheriff Tomasula was uniquely suited to the task when, in 2014, Sheriff Strada asked him to assist in the planning and construction of a new countywide 9-11 communications center. Once again, he answered the call to serve and accepted a position as director of communications for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. In this role, he was instrumental in the establishment and continued success of our current Sussex County 9-11 center. He remained 9-11 director until accepting the position of undersheriff of the Bureau of Corrections in 2018. Undersheriff Tomasula continued to serve in this role right up to his untimely passing. Well known and deservedly respected throughout the first responder community in Sussex County, the loss of Undersheriff Tomasula will surely be felt by many. Said the Sheriff, “John was a true leader with unwavering, strength, commitment, and integrity. He will be missed by many but not forgotten.” Sheriff Strada and the men and women of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offer our sincerest condolences to the Tomasula family and join all who had the privilege of knowing Undersheriff Tomasula in mourning his passing.

Arrested: Owen R. Cox, age 24, of Andover Boro, NJ. < Back Whoops...burglary suspect leaves driver's license behind Arrested: Owen R. Cox, age 24, of Andover Boro, NJ. Previous Next The sheriff’s office assisted the Andover Township Police Department with the arrest of Owen R. Cox who was initially arrested by police during the early morning hours of Saturday, October 1, 2011 and charged with burglary and assault. Cox had originally fled the scene of that crime before being apprehended at another location within Andover Township. On October 6, 2011, Sheriff’s Officer Warren Slahor and K-9 Eggo assisted Andover Township police who had requested a K-9 team to conduct an area search for evidence that may have been discarded by Cox while fleeing from police. The officer and his K-9 searched a swampy wooded area that Cox was believed to have travelled through after fleeing the scene and discovered a pair of discarded sweat pants. Inside the pants pocket, sheriff’s officers located a New Jersey driver’s license issued to Cox. Cox has been charged with burglary, simple assault and second degree robbery with bodily injury. He is currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 bail with no 10% option.

Arrested: Jessica J. Dutzi, age 31, of Stillwater Township, NJ. < Back Stillwater Township woman arrested for DWI Arrested: Jessica J. Dutzi, age 31, of Stillwater Township, NJ. Previous Next At approximately 2:05 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, August 18, 2012, Sheriff’s Sergeant John Gray was assigned to traffic enforcement within Hampton Township. While patrolling that area, he observed a dark colored sport utility vehicle, operated by Jessica Dutzi, failing to maintain her lane of traffic. After initiating a motor vehicle stop, speaking with Dutzi, and observing her attempt to perform several field sobriety tests, Sergeant Gray found her to be intoxicated. Sergeant Gray took Dutzi into custody and transported her back to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where she was processed and released. She was issued summonses for the following offenses: reckless driving, failure to keep right, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended and obstruction Dutzi was released pending a September 5, 2012 court appearance in Hampton Township Municipal Court. Sheriff’s Officer’s Samantha Schilling and Sheriff’s Corporal Dan Storey assisted in the arrest.

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.

Arrested: Tonja Stupke, age 47, of Saylorsburg, PA. < Back PA woman arrested for DWI in Frankford Township Arrested: Tonja Stupke, age 47, of Saylorsburg, PA. Previous Next On Monday, March 12, 2012, while assigned to community policing in Frankford Township, Sheriff’s Sergeant John Gray observed a motor vehicle being operated by Tonja Stupke traveling in excess of the posted speed limit. Sergeant Gray stopped the vehicle and, after observing Stupke attempt to perform several field sobriety tests, determined her to be intoxicated. Stupke was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. Additionally, she was issued summonses for reckless driving and speeding. She was given a date to appear in Frankford Township Municipal Court and released.