SUSSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

May 12Pedro Rodriguez, 60, of Middletown was sentenced to 180 days in jail and ordered to pay fines and fees totaling $1,155. 
He pleaded guilty on March 20 to operating a motor vehicle during license suspension (second violation), a fourth-degree crime.
The defendant operated a motor vehicle in Sparta Township on Sept. 25, 2016, while his driver license was suspended for a second driving while intoxicated conviction.
William J. Brovich, 33, of Wantage was sentenced to a four-year suspended New Jersey state prison term and a seven-month driver's license suspension. He must also complete twelve hours IDRC, report to his parole officer twice a week, submit to random urine monitoring, undergo a TASC evaluation and follow all recommendations, attend NA meetings two times per week and obtain a sponsor, maintain full time employment and pay $1280.00 in court fines and fees. 
He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2017, to third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and motor vehicle violation driving while intoxicated.
The defendant was in possession of heroin when he was found by Vernon Police, slumped over the steering wheel of his car on the side of the road.
Ronald Gerstmann, 58, of Sussex was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison. The defendant must serve at least one year before he can be paroled.  He must also pay restitution to the victims totaling $47,920.14 and $590 in court fines and fees.
He pleaded guilty on Nov. 30, 2016, to failure to make required disposition, fraudulent use of a credit card, and bad check, all crimes of the third-degree and three counts of third-degree theft.
Between 2013 and 2015 the defendant ran several fraudulent schemes, which resulted in the loss of property and money for several victims. Most recently in 2016 he failed to provide payment for sheds and barns delivered to his company, Sleepy Hollow Garden Center in Wantage Township, which sold them on behalf of Old Hickory Building. He additionally took deposits on sheds from victims and never delivered them.
May 15Melissa Maher, 30, of Matamoras, Pa., pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled dangerous subsgttance, a crime of the third degree.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 7.
The defendant admitted that she was in possession of Heroin when she was turning herself in to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for an outstanding warrant.
May 18Jason K. Corey, 35, of Newton pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, a crime of the third degree.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 14.
The defendant admitted he broke into a vehicle in the town of Newton, taking various items, which were recovered. He also admitted to breaking into Saint Paul’s Abbey in Andover, taking several items.  Both incident occurred in February of this year.
May 22 Brandon Wagner, 28, of Franklin pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled dangerous substance, a third-degree crime.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 7.
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to being in possession of four wax folds of heroin on April 13.
The case was investigated by Ptl. D. Flora of the Franklin Borough Police Department.
Eric M. Strand, 59, of Flanders was sentenced to three years in state prison with credit for two days served.  He also must comply with the sex offender Restraining Order, have no unsupervised contact with minors, forfeiture of his teaching license, is banned from future employment with minors, and pay standard fines and fees. At his release he will be required to register under Megan’s Law and will be supervised under Parole Supervision for Life.
 Strand was arrested on July 7, 2016 and pleaded guilty on Jan. 18, to endangering the welfare of a child (a second-degree crime) and aggravated criminal sexual contact (a third-degree crime).