Sheriff Strada was a guest speaker at the Sparta Woman’s Club luncheon. < Back Sparta Woman’s Club hosts Sheriff Strada Sheriff Strada was a guest speaker at the Sparta Woman’s Club luncheon. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada was a guest speaker at the Sparta Woman’s Club luncheon held recently at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta. Sheriff Strada was invited to share a presentation on the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office with the audience of fifty members. During the presentation, he spoke about the history of the sheriff’s office, the Bureau of Law Enforcement/Corrections Unit, the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP)/Sheriff’s Work Assistance Program (SWAP), Emergency Management/Fire Marshal responsibilities along with the many community programs that are in place such as Crime Stoppers, Project Lifesaver, Outbound 9-1-1, Register Ready, D.A.R.E., TRIAD and CERT programs. The presentation, designed to educate the public about the many services that the sheriff’s office provides to the citizens of Sussex County, was followed by a question and answer session. Sheriff Strada would like to encourage any organization which is interested in learning more about the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office to contact it at 973.579.0850. Pictured from left to right: Marjorie Strohsahl, Corresponding Secretary/FWCNJ Past President, Sheriff Michael F. Strada and Stevie Fava, Co-President.

Backup facility provides for completely redundant emergency communications capabilities. < Back Public safety telecommunicators exercise the “hot site” Backup facility provides for completely redundant emergency communications capabilities. Previous Next The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office successfully exercised its communications backup facility recently. Rather than answering 911 calls and dispatching emergency service resources from its Frankford Township facility, communications personnel ran the operations from its hot site located at the sheriff’s office in Newton. This backup facility, often referred to as a “hot site,” serves as a redundant communications site to the Frankford location. Real time synchronization between the two sites is used to completely mirror the environment of the main communications site in Frankford using wide area network links and specialized software. In the event of a disruption to the main Frankford site, personnel can relocate to this hot site and resume operations with minimal downtime. In lessons learned from 9/11, this hot site provides for complete redundant emergency communications capabilities from a geographically different location. Sheriff Strada said “It’s great to see that we are prepared should we ever have a disruption.”

< 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.

Do not fall for this latest scam threatening arrest for unpaid debts. < Back Telephone Scam Do not fall for this latest scam threatening arrest for unpaid debts. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada would like to warn residents of a telephone scam targeting Sussex County. Some Sussex County residents have reported receiving telephone calls within the last few days from someone stating they are calling from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. The caller says that you will be arrested if you do not satisfy a particular debt. They give a case number and a call back number. Do not fall for this latest scam. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is not making these calls . If you have received a call threatening arrest by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, please call the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office at 973.383.1570, ext. 4526.

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.

Arrested: Christopher Kotz, age 30 and Johnathan DeLucchi, age 23, both of Hopatcong, NJ. < Back Sheriff's K-9 search results in seizure of heroin brick Arrested: Christopher Kotz, age 30 and Johnathan DeLucchi, age 23, both of Hopatcong, NJ. Previous Next On September 2, 2011, Sheriff’s Officer Kieran McMorrow and Sheriff’s K-9 Atlas were assigned to assist the Hopatcong Police Department which was conducting a DWI traffic checkpoint. Sheriff’s Officer McMorrow utilized K-9 Atlas to search several vehicles stopped at the checkpoint. One of the vehicles searched was occupied by Kotz and DeLucchi. Further investigation of that vehicle revealed a “brick” consisting of approximately 50 bags of heroin and a hypodermic syringe hidden behind the glove compartment. Both Kotz and DeLucchi were immediately taken into custody by Hopatcong Police. Kotz and DeLucchi, both charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, are currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000 bail.

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.

The unit is made up of corrections officers. < Back New honor guard formed The unit is made up of corrections officers. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is proud to announce the formation of the first Sussex County Sheriff’s Corrections Honor Guard Unit . The honor guard unit is a ceremonial unit composed of volunteers who are “guardians of the colors” by displaying and escorting the national flag at ceremonial occasions, parades, funerals and other functions. These corrections officers attended an honor guard boot camp at the Bergen County Police Academy instructed by Captain Kneer of the Fair Lawn Police Department. Their first official detail was at the Branchville Memorial Day Parade. For more information, please contact Sheriff Strada at 973.579.0850 or Undersheriff Wanamaker at 973.579.0875. From left to right: Lieutenant Christopher Lynch, Corrections Officer Joseph White, Corrections Officer Keith Blessing, Corrections Officer Paul Liobe, Corrections Officer Kyle Keller, Corrections Officer Robert Washer, Lieutenant John Bannon and Sheriff Michael F. Strada.

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.

Join the race against crime on September 14, 2019 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. < Back Crime Stoppers 5K/12K Run to be held September 14 Join the race against crime on September 14, 2019 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers 5K/12K Saturday, September 14, 2019 Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ Race Start Time: 9:30 a.m. Join hundreds of runner/walkers and supporters in the race against crime at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Pre-register by September 4 , and the fee is $25 for either the 5K Run/Walk or 12K Run. After September 4 through race day, the fee is $30 for either race. New this year is a discounted rate of $10 for students who sign up as a team with their respective community or school sports teams. Goody bags will be provided to all 5K and 12K runners/walkers while supplies last. Awards will be given to the top male and female winners overall as well as to the top three in 10-year age groups. Enjoy food, drinks and entertainment after the event. Race proceeds will benefit the Sussex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers, a nonprofit corporation funded by contributions from local businesses and citizens at no cost to the taxpayer. Individuals who have information relating to a crime or criminal activity in the Sussex County, New Jersey area can receive up to a $1,000.00 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminals. Tips may be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stoppers hotline at 973.300.CRIME or online anonymous tip form. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Thorlabs as well as our other participating sponsors. Have questions or need more information about the event? Contact Hilary Manser at 973.579.0850, ext. 2114.

Byram QuickChek armed robbery solved. < Back Tip leads to arrests in Crime Stoppers case Byram QuickChek armed robbery solved. Previous Next As a result of an anonymous call made to the Crime Stoppers hotline, the July 12, 2011 armed robbery of the Byram QuickChek spotlighted on our Crime Stoppers page has led to the arrest of three individuals. A cooperative investigation conducted by the Byram PD and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that the three perpetrators are members of the Blood Stone Villain street gang—James Smith aka “Truth,” the driver; Iben Glenn aka “Eazy” from Elizabeth, NJ, who was the gunman; and Richard Gordon aka “Mutah” from Roselle, NJ. Richard Gordon and Iben Glenn have been charged with robbery, conspiracy and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. James Smith, currently incarcerated at the Yardville State Correctional Facility, will be charged at a later date. Sheriff Michael Strada and Lt. Larry Beller, Crime Stoppers coordinator, would like to extend their thanks to the caller who supplied the tip to the Crime Stoppers hotline.

Arrested: Natasha McCoy, age 31, of Hamburg, NJ. < Back Woman arrested in Newton on Paterson warrants Arrested: Natasha McCoy, age 31, of Hamburg, NJ. Previous Next On Friday, September 20, 2013, while assigned to the probation department at the Sussex County Superior Court courthouse in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered Natasha McCoy. Officer Cahill believed McCoy to be the subject of an outstanding warrant and subsequently detained her. Further investigation revealed McCoy to be the subject of multiple warrants from Paterson Municipal Court. Officer Cahill immediately arrested McCoy and transported her to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Natasha McCoy was lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 bail.