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$5,000.00 has been raised by the SCSO and will be utilized to support cancer prevention, research and education. < Back SCSO raises $5,000 during No-Shave November $5,000.00 has been raised by the SCSO and will be utilized to support cancer prevention, research and education. Previous Next The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office concluded “No-Shave November” by raising $5,000 for cancer awareness. Over 65 officers and administration participated by forgoing shaving and collecting donations for this worthy charity. The non-profit group, No-Shave November’s mission is devoted to “growing” cancer awareness and raising funds to support cancer prevention, research and education. Sheriff Michael Strada, who participated as well, said “I am proud of the efforts made by our officers as we had far more participants this year than in the past. I would like to thank those who donated and we look forward to participating and raising more funds next year.”

The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Crimestoppers Organization held its annual Spring Fundraiser Dinner on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the beautiful Farmstead Golf & Country Club. < Back Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Crimestoppers Organization held its annual Spring Fundraiser Dinner The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Crimestoppers Organization held its annual Spring Fundraiser Dinner on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the beautiful Farmstead Golf & Country Club. Previous Next May 7, 2026 Press Release Contact: Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada For Immediate Release 973-579-0850 The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Crimestoppers Organization held its annual Spring Fundraiser Dinner on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the beautiful Farmstead Golf & Country Club. Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada served as the emcee for the evening and addressed attendees regarding the continued success of the Crimestoppers program. Sheriff Strada discussed the numerous tips received throughout 2025 and how those tips have directly assisted law enforcement agencies in solving crimes and protecting the residents of Sussex County. He also thanked the many sponsors, supporters, attendees, and the dedicated Crimestoppers Commissioners for their continued hard work and commitment. Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Hilary Manser addressed the attendees regarding the recent “Dog Abandonment” investigation involving approximately 50 dogs that were abandoned in four separate locations throughout Sussex County. She emphasized the critical role that the Crimestoppers program played in the investigation. She explained how one anonymous tip can truly make a difference. Sheriff Strada also presented awards recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Crimestoppers organization. Awards were presented to Sabine Watson, Dawn Flanders, Craig Thompson, and Jeffrey Parrott for their dedication, leadership, and continued support of our Crimestoppers Organization. “The success of Crimestoppers is directly tied to the support of our community,” Sheriff Strada stated. “Every anonymous tip has the potential to save lives, solve crimes, and make Sussex County a safer place for everyone. We are extremely grateful for the continued support from our residents, businesses, and community partners.” The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Crimestoppers Organization will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminals. All tips remain completely anonymous, and tipsters are never asked to provide their name. Anyone wishing to provide information may call 973-300-CRIME (2746) or visit www.sussexcountysheriff.com to submit an anonymous tip online. Photo Credit Jennifer Dericks - TAPinto

Arrested: Steven I. Nunes, age 34, of Franklin, NJ. < Back Probationer arrested after attempting to defraud drug test Arrested: Steven I. Nunes, age 34, of Franklin, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, Sheriff’s Officer Warren Slahor responded to the Sussex County Probation Department to investigate a report of a probationer attempting to defraud a court ordered drug test. Upon his arrival, Sheriff’s Officer Slahor encountered Steven Nunes. Further investigation revealed Nunes to be in possession of a prescription label that had been altered to include his name. Nunes was immediately placed under arrest and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed. Nunes was charged with defrauding the administration of a drug test, a third degree crime. He was given a future date to appear in Newton Municipal Court and released. Sheriff’s Officer Mike Yanko assisted in the arrest.

Arrested: Shawn Guerrero, age 28, of Landing, NJ < Back Man arrested at courthouse in Newton Arrested: Shawn Guerrero, age 28, of Landing, NJ Previous Next On Friday, September 6, 2013, while assigned to courtroom security at the Sussex County Superior Court courthouse in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Robert Jacoby observed Shawn Guerrero. Believing Mr. Guerrero to be the subject of an outstanding Superior Court warrant, Officer Jacoby detained Mr. Guerrero until the warrant was confirmed. Upon confirmation, Officer Jacoby arrested Guerrero and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Guerrero was lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility where he remains incarcerated in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Pardon our appearance… < Back SCSO participates in No-Shave November Pardon our appearance… Previous Next The men and women of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement will be participating in a month-long charity fundraiser in conjunction with No-Shave November , a web-based, non-profit organization devoted to growing cancer awareness and raising funds to support cancer prevention, research and education. To participate in No-Shave November, Sheriff Michael F. Strada has approved the temporary relaxing of our grooming standards for the bureau during the month of November. According to their website, the goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow; then donating the money typically spent on shaving and grooming to fund education about cancer prevention, saving lives and aiding those who are fighting the disease. Each day, 22,000 people die from cancer worldwide. Nearly half of cancer diagnoses and deaths are preventable. No-Shave November’s mission is to not only raise funds for cancer research and treatment but to educate the population about preventative measures. For over six years, participants around the globe have put down their razors and foregone their hair appointments to join the fight against cancer. The No-Shave November campaign has successfully raised over $3.5 million dollars to combat this disease. Members of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement who have donated to No-Shave November and volunteered to grow their facial hair will do so all month long. If you would like to sponsor one of our officers or make a donation yourself, please visit our fundraising page .

K-9 team graduates from the Bergen County Police Academy K-9 Patrol class. < Back K-9 team graduates training academy K-9 team graduates from the Bergen County Police Academy K-9 Patrol class. Previous Next On January 28, 2011, the team of K-9 Atlas and Sheriff’s Officer Kieran McMorrow completed an extensive four month training program comprised of instruction in canine obedience, human tracking, handler protection, and criminal apprehension. Additionally, K-9 Atlas is cross trained as a narcotics detection canine. Sheriff Michael F. Strada recognizes the value of trained K-9 teams as a tool for effective law enforcement and is pleased to offer the services of K-9 Atlas and Sheriff’s Officer McMorrow to the municipal law enforcement agencies of Sussex County. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office currently has three K-9 teams, offering specialized services in narcotics detection, explosives detection, and search and rescue.

Arrested: Nelson O. Guerrero, age 21, of Selinsgrove, PA. < Back Pennsylvania man arrested at MVC Arrested: Nelson O. Guerrero, age 21, of Selinsgrove, PA. Previous Next On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, while assigned to the Motor Vehicle Commission in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling encountered Nelson Guerrero attempting to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license. After observing Guerrero providing MVC staff with false information, Sheriff’s Officer Schilling ran a criminal warrants check for him. That investigation revealed him to be the subject of an out-of-state Superior Court arrest warrant from Pennsylvania. Guerrero was taken into custody and lodged comfortably in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail. He is currently awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. Detective Mike Yanko assisted in the arrest.

Directions/Map Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility 41 High Street Newton, NJ 07860 From Northern NJ Take Route 80 West to Exit 25 (Route 206 North). Stay on Route 206 North for approximately 11 miles, to Newton. Route 206 North turns into Main Street as you approach downtown Newton. Take Main Street to the end. Turn left at the traffic light onto Spring Street (the square is on the left). From Spring Street, turn left onto High Street. You will see the Sussex County Judicial Center on your right. The jail is located directly behind the center, adjacent to the parking garage. From Trenton and Southern NJ Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 127 (Route 287 North). From Route 287 North, take Exit 22B (Route 206 North). Proceed with step 2 from the Northern NJ directions above. From Southwest NJ Take the New Jersey Turnpike North to Exit 10 (Route 287 North). From Route 287 North, take Exit 22B (Route 206 North). Proceed with step 2 from the Northern NJ directions above.

Administration Mission Statement The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office dedicates itself to protecting the life and property of the citizens of the county, providing primary and support services to all law enforcement agencies, along with maintaining traditional sheriff’s services. The office recognizes that the ability to successfully complete this mission is based on mutual respect and responsibility, shared by all agencies, and most importantly the citizens it serves. As professionals, we are duty bound to enforce the laws in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing both the statutory and judicial limitations of police authority, and at all times, protecting the constitutional rights of all persons. Sheriff Michael F. Strada Sheriff Mike Strada , who has been involved in public service all his life, is serving his fifth three-year term as Sussex County Sheriff. Sheriff Strada served in the Army for four years as a sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and served in both Iraq and Saudi Arabia. While in the military, he was an explosives expert and assigned to a Parachute Infantry Regiment. During his military career, he was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge and the Army Achievement Medal. After being honorably discharged from the military, Sheriff Strada went on to pursue a career in law enforcement. He began his law enforcement career with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. In 1995, Sheriff Strada joined the Mt. Olive Township Police Department and was assigned to the Patrol Division where he served for ten years. In 2005, he moved up to the Investigations Division where he served as a detective for the duration of his tenure with Mt. Olive. Over the course of his career with Mt. Olive, Strada was the recipient of numerous departmental awards including the Morris County 200 Club 2001 Valor Award, three lifesaving awards, four honorable service awards, three meritorious service awards, an educational achievement award and a military service award. Sheriff Strada has a master’s degree, from Fairleigh Dickinson, in administration. Law enforcement certifications and training include FBI Police Supervision and Management, Northeast Counterdrug Training Center: Leadership and Mastering Performance Management, Supervision Principles, Police Supervision, and Organizational Leadership. In addition to being a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the Executive Leadership Program at the National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI), he is also a certified field training officer and police academy instructor. Sheriff Strada is a graduate of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security Executive Leadership Program. Sheriff Strada has served as President of the Sheriffs’ Association of New Jersey and is a member of Newton VFW Post 5360, Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Branchville American Legion Post 157, New Jersey Italian American Police Officers Association, New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, Sussex County Chiefs of Police Association and FBI National Academy Associates. Special Services Unit Undersheriff John Schanstra Undersheriff John Schanstra , a lifelong resident of Sussex County, graduated from Sparta High School and from County College of Morris with an associate’s degree in criminal justice, also from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a master’s of administrative sciences degree. In 1988, he graduated from the New Jersey State Police Municipal Police Academy as part of the 188th class. During his 25-year career as a police officer with the Borough of Ogdensburg and the Township of Sparta, he started his career as a patrolman, Undersheriff Schanstra, after being promoted to detective served in the Investigative Unit of the Sparta Police handling criminal and administrative investigations. Undersheriff Schanstra was assigned as the liaison with the Middle Atlantic - Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network for the purpose of analysis and dissemination of criminal intelligence. Undersheriff Schanstra was promoted to detective sergeant and took command of the investigative unit of the Sparta Police Department overseeing all investigations and the oversight of schools security of the district along with Sparta Pope John and Vo-Tech High School. Undersheriff Schanstra was sworn in as a deputy United States marshal and assisted the United States Marshal Service Joint Fugitive Task Force in the apprehension of violent criminals in the tri-state area. During his career as a police officer, Undersheriff Schanstra served for six years as the president of the Sussex County Detectives Association. His awards include the Sussex County Detective of the Year, police officer of the year award which was present by the Sparta Kiwanis along with numerous meritorious services awards. Undersheriff Schanstra was hired by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office as the director of internal affairs prior to being promoted to undersheriff of Special Services Unit. This unit includes Internal Affairs, K-9, Detective and Cops Unit of the Sussex County Sheriffs Office. Besides his master’s degree in administrative science, Undersheriff Schanstra holds the position of adjunct professor at Sussex County Community College where he teaches criminal investigation at night. Undersheriff Schanstra is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #26 and the Interstate Law Enforcement Officers Association. Civil Process Unit Undersheriff Matthew Avenatti Undersheriff Matthew Avenatti moved to Sussex County at a very young age and graduated from Port Jervis High School. He attended Sussex County Community College and then Montclair University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree. In 1995, he graduated from the New Jersey State Police Academy in the 115th academy class and assigned badge #5237. He continued his studies at Seton Hall University graduating with a master of arts in human resources. During his nearly 26-year career with the New Jersey State Police, Undersheriff Avenatti began as a road trooper serving at Totowa-Sub, Washington, Sussex, Netcong and Hope stations. He served in the Special Operations Section as a commercial vehicle inspector eventually becoming part of a criminal interdiction team. He also was a member of the ceremonial Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold for several years. In 2016, Avenatti was promoted to sgt. first class and assigned to the Garden State Parkway, Bloomfield Station, Troop D, Field Operations Section as the assistant station commander for two years. He transferred to Troop B headquarters and served on the Troop B command staff until he was transferred to Sussex station. There he was promoted to lieutenant/station commander in 2018 where he finished his New Jersey State Police career. During his career with the state police, Avenatti served as an instructor in riot control for the Urban Area Security Initiative, assigned to Washington, DC for two presidential inaugurations, was an armorer for several weapons platforms utilized by the state police as well as a firearms instructor. He received the Franklin E. Sigler Award for Heroism from the Newton VFW Post along with other members of his squad and a Certificate of Unit Commendation for assisting with a large seizure of contraband. Undersheriff Avenatti is an associate member of the New Jersey State Police Superior Officers Association, a member of Newark FOP Lodge #12 and the Former Troopers Association.

Arrested: John C. McCurdy, age 35, of Dover, NJ. < Back Sheriff's officer arrests man at courthouse Arrested: John C. McCurdy, age 35, of Dover, NJ. Previous Next On Monday, December 10, 2012, while assigned to courthouse security at the Superior Court in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered John C. McCurdy. Believing him to be the subject of an outstanding municipal court warrant, Officer Cahill detained McCurdy and confirmed the existence of three separate municipal court warrants for his arrest. Officer Cahill immediately placed McCurdy under arrest and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. McCurdy was processed and lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility until such time as he could be transported to the Morris County Jail.

Arrested: Michael Moeller, age 50, of Wantage Township, NJ. < Back Sheriff’s detectives arrest wantage man Arrested: Michael Moeller, age 50, of Wantage Township, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, March 14, 2013, while assigned to fugitive apprehension duties, sheriff’s detectives Matt Caine and William Lunger located Michael Moeller at his residence. Moeller was the subject of two outstanding Superior Court warrants. Further investigation revealed Moeller to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana and a metal smoking device. Detectives Caine and Lunger took Moeller into custody and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing whereupon he was issued summonses for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, both disorderly persons offenses. Moeller was given a future date to appear in Wantage Township Municipal Court to answer the drug offenses and was lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional facility pending bail.

Join the race against crime on September 14, 2019 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. < Back Crime Stoppers 5K/12K race results Join the race against crime on September 14, 2019 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Previous Next Participants raced against crime at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 14, 2019. View the race results Thank you to our sponsors and all who took part in this great event. See you next year!