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Courthouse Security Overview The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office oversees the general security of the courthouse complex to ensure the orderly, peaceful and safe conduct of court business. Attorney ID Cards Find out about our attorney identification card program, designed to expedite attorney access into the Sussex County Judicial Center. Directions/Map Directions and map to the Sussex County Judicial Center, located at 43-47 High Street in Newton.

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 announce the recent graduation of a new sheriff’s K-9 team. < Back New sheriff’s K-9 team graduates training academy Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the recent graduation of a new sheriff’s K-9 team. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the recent graduation of a new sheriff’s K-9 team. On February 22, 2019, the team of K-9 “Nutmeg,” a one and a half year old bloodhound, and Sheriff’s Detective Catherine Young completed an extensive 10-week training program provided by the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office comprised of instruction in both canine obedience and human tracking. Speaking during a small gathering at the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office last week, Sheriff Strada congratulated Det. Young on her graduation. Said the sheriff, “The effective utilization of competent and well trained K-9 teams is an integral part of successful contemporary law enforcement. To that end, we are pleased to offer the services of K-9 Nutmeg and Sheriff’s Detective Young 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 both narcotics detection and suspect location.

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.

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.

Four staff members from the Bureau of Corrections were recently promoted. < Back Sheriff Strada announces promotions Four staff members from the Bureau of Corrections were recently promoted. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotions within the Bureau of Corrections: Sheriff’s Corrections Sergeant Chris Lynch has been promoted to interim lieutenant. A 12-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Lt. Lynch began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in 1999. He was promoted to sergeant in 2008 and was assigned to supervise the 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. shift before being transferred to oversee the Records and Classification sections. Lt. Lynch is graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy Basic Corrections Class and holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Sussex County Community College. Sheriff’s Corrections Officer Kelly Mizerek has been promoted to sergeant. A 10-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Sgt. Mizerek began her career as a corrections officer at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in 2001. Sgt. Mizerek is a graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy Basic Corrections Class and holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from the County College of Morris. She is currently assigned to supervise the 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift. Sheriff’s Corrections Officer Bennett Milnor has been promoted to sergeant. An 8-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Sgt. Milnor began his career as a corrections officer at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in 2003. Since 2009, Sgt. Milnor has been supervised the work activities of inmates assigned to the Sheriff’s Work Assistance Program (SWAP) . Sgt. Milnor attended the Passaic County Police Academy Basic Corrections Class where he graduated in the top five of his class overall. He is currently assigned to supervise the 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift. Sheriff’s Corrections Officer Andrew Boden has been promoted to interim sergeant. A 14-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Sgt. Boden began his career as a corrections officer at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in 1998. He is a former member of both the Sheriff’s Operations Group and the Sussex County Hazardous Materials Team (HAZMAT). Sgt. Boden, a certified hazardous materials technician, was deployed to Louisiana in 2005 as part of Operation LEAD (Louisiana Emergency Assistance Deployment), New Jersey’s statewide response to assist in the clean up of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Sgt. Boden is a graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy Basic Corrections Class. He is currently assigned to supervise the 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. shift. Sheriff Strada congratulates each of the recently promoted personnel and wishes them all continued success in their careers.

Arrested: Stephen Honthy, age 39, formerly of Hopatcong and Dawn Stewart, age 49, of Fredon Twp., NJ. < Back Fredon Township woman arrested after harboring fugitive Arrested: Stephen Honthy, age 39, formerly of Hopatcong and Dawn Stewart, age 49, of Fredon Twp., NJ. Previous Next On July 6, 2011, sheriff’s detectives Michael Yanko and Richard Otte were attempting to locate and arrest Stephen Honthy, who was the subject of an outstanding Sussex County Superior Court warrant for contempt. Detectives Yanko and Otte had received information that Honthy was staying at the residence of Ms. Dawn Stewart in Fredon Township. On an earlier occasion, detectives Yanko and Otte had approached Honthy at that location and he had fled from them. At that time, Ms. Stewart had denied Honthy was staying with her. On the afternoon of July 6, detectives Yanko and Otte returned to the Stewart residence and discovered Honthy there. He was immediately taken into custody. Further investigation revealed that Honthy had been residing at the Stewart home for some time. Subsequently, Dawn Stewart was taken into custody for harboring Honthy at her residence. Stewart was charged with obstructing the administration of law and hindering the apprehension of another. She received summonses for both charges and was released pending an appearance in municipal court. Honthy was charged with resisting arrest by flight. He is currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility with no bail.

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.

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.

< Back Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Hires Five New Officers Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the hiring of five new Sheriff’s Officers in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement. At a ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Center earlier this week, Sheriff Strada administered the Oath of Office to the following new Sheriff’s Officers. Brian Gallagher A lifelong resident of Sussex County and a 2011 graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer Gallagher attended both Sussex County Community College and Stockton University where he majored in Criminal Justice. An eight year veteran of the New Jersey Army National Guard where he continues to serve as a Combat Engineer, Officer Gallagher is also a graduate of the 96th Morris County Police Academy Basic Police Class and holds a Baccalaureate degree from Stockton University in Criminal Justice. Following a brief period of field training instruction, Officer Gallagher will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Jesse Bambrick A 2008 graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer Bambrick holds an Associates of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Sussex County Community College where he graduated from in 2011. A nine year veteran of the New Jersey Army National Guard where he continues to serve as a team leader of an Infantry Squad, Officer Bambrick is also a graduate of the 96th Morris County Police Academy Basic Police Class. While attending the Police Academy, Officer Bambrick placed 2nd in Marksmanship amongst his fellow recruits. Following a brief period of field training instruction, Officer Bambrick will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Khanai Powell A lifelong resident of Sussex County and a 2014 graduate of the Sussex County Technical School, Sheriff’s Officer Powell attended Montclair University where he studied with a major concentration in Psychology and a minor concentration in Criminal Justice, ultimately earning a Baccalaureate Degree. A New Jersey Army National Guard veteran, Office Powell is also a graduate of the 96th Morris County Police Academy Basic Police Class. While attending the Police Academy, Officer Powell received the Physical Training Award for demonstrating athletic excellence amongst his peers. Following a brief period of field training instruction, Officer Powell will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Mark Bollmann A 2012 graduate of the Sussex County Technical School, Sheriff’s Officer Bollmann also studied at Sussex County Community College. A nine year veteran of the New Jersey Army National Guard where he continues to serve as a Combat Engineer, Officer Bollmann is also a graduate of the 96th Morris County Police Academy Basic Police Class. Following a brief period of field training instruction, Officer Bollmann will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Justin Bellis A lifelong resident of Sussex County and a 2011 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer Bellis also studied at Sussex County Community College. A 10 year veteran of the Frankford Township Volunteer Fire Department where he continues to serve as a Firefighter, Officer Bellis has also previously served as a 911 Operator and Emergency Dispatcher in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center. Officer Bellis is also a graduate of the 96th Morris County Police Academy Basic Police Class. Following a brief period of field training instruction, Officer Bellis will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Immediately following swearing in the new hires, Sheriff Strada congratulated each of them, welcomed them all to the agency, and wished them success in their careers. Pictured left to right: Sheriff’s Officer Powell, Sheriff’s Officer Bellis, Sheriff Strada, Sheriff’s Officer Bambrick, Sheriff’s Officer Bollmann, Sheriff’s Officer Gallagher

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.

Arrested: David M. Ireland, age 32, of Augusta, NJ. < Back Driver using cell phone leads to DWI arrest Arrested: David M. Ireland, age 32, of Augusta, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, September 5, 2013, while assigned to patrol duties within the borough of Branchville, Sheriff’s Officer John Swords observed David Ireland talking on a cell phone while driving through Branchville. Officer Swords initiated a motor vehicle stop and interviewed Mr. Ireland. Upon further investigation, Officer Swords determined Ireland was intoxicated. Officer Swords arrested Ireland and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Ireland was charged with the following offenses: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device and possession of an open container/alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle. He was given a future court date to appear in Branchville Borough Municipal Court and released to the care of a responsible party. Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling and Sergeant John Gray assisted in the arrest.