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.

< Back Sussex County Sheriff Mike Strada urges whistleblowers and family members to report senior abuse at nursing homes Previous Next Newton – In the wake of media reports about the dangerous conditions at the Woodland Behavioral Health (the former Andover Subacute II) nursing home, Sussex County Sheriff Mike Strada urges whistleblowers and family members to report incidents of senior abuse to use his office’s Crime Stoppers Hotline to report any abuse or improper activity. All calls and reports will remain anonymous and at no time will anyone ask the tipsters name. The hotline’s telephone number is 973-300-CRIME. Reports can also be filed online at www.sussexcountysheriff.com . According to media reports, state health officials have suspended new admissions at the nursing home and it is now the subject of state monitoring. The facility is also facing the possibility of closure by the state. Sheriff Strada has been working with the New Jersey Attorney General’s office on possible incidents of fraud connected with this facility. Sheriff Strada will be forwarding details of the matter to the United States Attorney General’s office, as it appears that it may fall under their purview.

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 .

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.

The deputy emergency management coordinator attended FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. < Back Corporal Mark Vogel graduates FEMA Executive Academy The deputy emergency management coordinator attended FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. Previous Next Corporal Mark Vogel, CEM , the deputy emergency management coordinator for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, recently graduated from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. Corporal Vogel, who has served as deputy emergency management coordinator for the past fifteen years, completed the full curriculum that supports the advancement of the emergency management profession at strategic policy and executive leadership levels. This program has enhanced his talents in emergency management through critical thinking, visionary strategic planning, negotiation, and conflict resolution applied to complex real-world problems. Corporal Vogel completed the four resident courses in the Executive Academy to include: E0680 Examining Emergency Management Policy and Doctrine; E0682 Leading Complex Systems; E0684 Interpreting the Contemporary Emergency Management Environment; E0686 Creating the Emergency Management Stakeholder Community; and a collaborative capstone project. The Executive Academy instills emergency management leaders with a deeper understanding of contemporary and emerging emergency management issues, debates and public policy. It provides insights, theories, tools and resources that enable decision-makers to think and act more strategically and to build capacity to protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all types of disasters. Sheriff Strada, stating that Corporal Vogel’s training will continue to enhance the operations of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Emergency Management, commends Corporal Vogel for graduating from this prestigious program. Corporal Mark Vogel (right) is congratulated by FEMA’s Dr. Daniel Kaniewski as he graduates. Photo by Shane Gibbon/FEMA.

Arrested: Joseph F. Zalewski, age 19, and Mackenzie S. Healy, age 19, both of Newton, NJ. < Back Disabled motor vehicle leads to drug arrest Arrested: Joseph F. Zalewski, age 19, and Mackenzie S. Healy, age 19, both of Newton, NJ. Previous Next On Saturday, December 15, 2012, while on county-wide mobile patrol, Sheriff’s Officer John Swords encountered a disabled motor vehicle on the side of a road in Hampton Township. Sheriff’s Officer Swords pulled over to assist the occupants of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed the presence of a quantity of marijuana and a smoking pipe. Both Zalewski and Healy were arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where they were processed and released pending a future court date in Green/Fredon/Hampton/Andover Borough Joint Municipal Court. Joseph Zalewski was issued summonses for possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount less than 50 grams and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Mackenzie Healy was issued summonses for possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount less than 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Arrested: Joseph S. Selobyt Jr, age 44, of Branchville, NJ. < Back Drunk driver leaves scene of accident, breaks down Arrested: Joseph S. Selobyt Jr, age 44, of Branchville, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, August 29, 2013, Sergeant John Gray observed a severely damaged vehicle which had broken down in the roadway of CR 633 in Hampton Township. Upon speaking with the driver of the vehicle, Joseph S. Selobyt, and then observing him attempt to perform several sobriety tests, Sgt. Gray determined him to be impaired. Further investigation revealed a trail of fluids and vehicular debris which led to the site of a motor vehicle accident on CR 617 in Stillwater Township which Selobyt had fled from before breaking down. Selobyt was arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. He was charged with the following offenses: reckless driving, driving while suspended, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, failure to report a motor vehicle accident and driving while intoxicated. Selobyt was given a future court date to appear in Wantage-Sussex-Stillwater Joint Municipal Court and released to the care of a responsible person. Sheriff’s Officers Samantha Schilling and Johnny Swords assisted in the arrest.

Arrested: Emmet Emery Norman, Jr., age 49, of Newton, NJ. < Back Newton man arrested for bringing marijuana with him to court Arrested: Emmet Emery Norman, Jr., age 49, of Newton, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, February 27, 2014, while assigned to the front door security post at the Sussex County Superior Courthouse, Sheriff’s Officer Warren Slahor encountered Emmit Emery Norman. Mr. Norman placed several items from his pockets on top of a table at the security post. Included in those items was a cigarette package containing a small amount of marijuana. As a result, Officer Slahor placed Norman under arrest and escorted him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Emmit Emery Norman, Jr. was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce. He was issued a summons for that charge, given a future court date to appear in Newton Municipal Court, and subsequently released.

Correctional Facility Overview The Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility opened in 1978. Inmate Visitation/Information Learn what is required in order to visit someone incarcerated. Also includes information about inmate mail, personal property, accounts and phone calls. Home Detention Program The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offers an alternative to incarceration for certain offenders sentenced to a term of imprisonment. SLAP Sussex County’s SLAP program provides a structured alternative to incarceration for minor offenders. Directions/Map View a map and directions to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility, located directly behind the Sussex County Judicial Center, adjacent to the parking garage.

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.

CERT Join the Sussex County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and become better prepared to respond to emergency situations right here in your own community. Members of Sussex County’s CERT give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. CERT members receive training in the following areas: disaster preparedness disaster fire suppression medical operations light search and rescue operations disaster psychology and team organization terrorism and CERT disaster simulation Total basic training is usually about 24 hours, scheduled in 2-1/2 hour modules over a period of weeks. Training courses, materials and equipment are provided free of charge. To become a CERT member, you must be at least 18 years of age. For more information, contact CERT coordinator Eric Muller at 973.579.0380, ext. 2536. New Jersey Office of Emergency Management CERT web site »

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. GENERAL INFORMATION Purchasing foreclosed properties is not for everyone and can be a risky proposition for buyers who lack experience. Unless you understand the process and have done your due diligence, you could potentially make a mistake that proves to be very costly. Until a sale actually occurs, the property is considered private property and no one has a right to enter the premises without the owner’s permission. This means there will be no opportunity to inspect a property prior to bidding on it. A bidder wishing to approach an owner to see a property before a sale is advised that he is on his own. The owner of a property may, at any time prior to the sale, try to save his home or property interest in several ways. He may try to reinstate the delinquent amount owed, pay the judgment in full, obtain another loan, etc. He may also try to sell the property in order to pay the judgment and at the same time profit from any proceeds. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office does not know the condition of the property and is not responsible for any person(s) living on the property or vacating them post sale without a court order supplied by the purchaser. The sheriff’s office has no information regarding the conditions of the titles. All foreclosure sales are sold subject to any first mortgage, any municipal, state or federal or outstanding liens. We strongly urge anyone who is not familiar with sheriff’s sale procedures to seek legal advice and to perform a title search on the property before bidding on it. The search may reveal outstanding liens, which the bidder would assume if he is the successful purchaser. The plaintiff’s attorney may adjourn the foreclosure sale two times per docket number for a 30 day period, totaling 60 days. A homeowner may also request two 30 day adjournments at any time prior to the day of sale up to the time of the sale, 2:00 p.m. By statute, the sheriff has the discretion to grant up to two 30-day adjournments. The July 29, 2019 new legislation allows an additional 30 day adjournment with a mutual agreement between plaintiff and defendant. A sheriff’s deed will be issued following the 10 day post sale redemption period, once any payments due are received by the sheriff’s office. The deed issued by the sheriff’s office is not a clear title deed. Consult an attorney or the Sussex County Clerk to find instructions on docketing the deed HOW THE SALES WORK Sheriff’s sales are held as an open auction (no sealed bids). Properties are purchased as is, with no warranties and all sales are buyer beware. Bidding begins at $100.00 and subsequent bids must be in increments of $1,000.00. The property will be sold to the highest bidder. Twenty percent of the total bid price (bid deposit) must be paid by the purchaser as soon as the property is sold to him. All deposits must be tendered in the form of certified check, treasurer check or money order made out to “Sussex County Sheriff.” If the successful bidder fails to pay the full bid deposit, the sheriff may, at his option, immediately put up the premises for sale again and the original purchaser will be held liable for any deficiency. The balance of the sale price is due and payable no later than thirty days after the sale. The first ten days after the sale date are without interest; interest is charged on the balance due beginning on the eleventh day after the sale. The defendant has a ten day redemption period after the sale during which time he may object to the sale through the courts or redeem the property. The successful bidder, in this case, would receive his 20 percent deposit back without interest. If the balance is not paid on the thirtieth day, the sheriff will have the option of either re-advertising the property and selling it again or proceeding to compel the purchaser to complete his purchase. In the event of a resale, if the property should produce a lesser sum than the former bid, interest and expenses, the purchaser will be held liable for the difference. If it should produce a larger sum than the former bid, interest and expenses, the purchaser will not receive any benefit from the second sale. The purchaser will receive a sheriff’s deed after payment of the balance of the bid. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to record the deed in the Sussex County Clerk’s Office. If, after the sale and receipt of the sheriff’s deed, the property is owner-occupied, the purchaser must obtain a Writ of Possession to be served on the defendant with instructions to vacate the premises by a scheduled date. This is handled by the Civil Process Unit. If the defendant has not vacated by the stated date, the sheriff’s office will set a final date to make arrangements with the purchaser to have a moving van sent to the property and have the defendant’s personal belongings removed. The costs of the moving and storage is the responsibility of the purchaser. If the property is tenant-occupied, the purchaser must go through Landlord-Tenant Court to perform an eviction. 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.) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES The links which follow can provide assistance to homeowners in distress. New Jersey's Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) Program This program, launched in 2009, gives eligible homeowners access to housing counselors, lawyers and mediators who may help homeowners in foreclosure remain in their homes. It is a partnership of the judiciary, the Office of the Attorney General, the Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, Legal Services of New Jersey, the Office of the Public Advocate and the Department of Banking and Insurance. Call toll-free: 1.888.989.5277. New Jersey Judiciary Foreclosure Mediation Program This program, launched in 2009, gives eligible homeowners access to housing counselors, lawyers and mediators who may help homeowners in foreclosure remain in their homes. It is a partnership of the judiciary, the Office of the Attorney General, the Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, Legal Services of New Jersey, the Office of the Public Advocate and the Department of Banking and Insurance. Call toll-free: 1.888.989.5277. Making Home Affordable This program is a component of the Obama administration’s strategy to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, stabilize the country’s housing market, and improve the nation’s economy. The primary goal is to give homeowners struggling to maintain their home mortgage payments the opportunity to refinance or obtain a loan modification. NJ HomeSaver Program This program provides financial assistance to New Jersey homeowners who have a track record of making their mortgage payments on time but are now at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure as a direct result of unemployment or substantial underemployment. 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.