Sussex county Prosecutor

March 16 Sereca Thomas, 26, of Franklin pled guilty to possession of a wooden walking cane for an unlawful purpose, a third degree crime. Sentencing is scheduled for May 1. Thomas admitted to the Court that on or about January 6, she was in possession of a walking cane that she used as a weapon during a domestic violence altercation. Zachary Coppolino, 21, of Wantage, was sentenced to five years drug court probation, $1,730 in fines, short-term inpatient substance abuse treatment, 31 days jail and a six month loss of driver’s license. He pled guilty on February 17 to three counts of third degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and one count of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He admitted that on three occasions in March 2008 in Wantage he sold small amounts of cocaine to an individual cooperating with the Sussex County Gangs Guns and Narcotics Task Force. He also admitted that on November 11, 2008 in Wantage he possessed OxyContin when he was arrested on an outstanding warrant by Trooper C. Gesualdo. March 17 A Grand Jury has indicted William Rodenbaugh, 43, of Newton with second degree eluding and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, a crime of the third degree. The Grand Jury alleges that on Oct. 8, 2008 in Sparta, Rodenbaugh led police on a high speed chase, caused an accident by side swiping another vehicle, then parked the vehicle and fled on foot. On Oct. 9, 2008, while being processed at Sparta Township Police Department, a plastic bag was found in his sock, which contained two small pills. Investigation revealed those pills to be an illegal controlled dangerous substance. A Grand Jury has indicted Dominica J. Kuczenski, 41, of Wantage, with forgery and theft by deception, both third degree crimes, and tampering with records, a crime of the fourth degree. The Grand Jury alleges that on April 14, 2008 in Wantage, she created a company check made payable to herself and cashed it. A Grand Jury has indicted Cheryl L. Brickell, 32, of Mahwah, with fourth degree tampering with evidence. The Grand Jury alleges that on April 18, 2008 in Newton, Brickell falsified a letter to the Division of Youth and Family Services from a psychiatrist that related to an ongoing custody hearing. Through further investigation it was determined that the letter had been authored by the defendant. March 19 Joseph Thompson, 22, of Clarendon, Pa., was sentenced to three years in the New Jersey State Prison. He pled guilty on Dec. 17, 2008, to attempted escape from the Sussex County Jail and criminal mischief, third degree crimes. On Aug. 1, 2008, Thompson, along with two co-defendants, caused extensive damage to the window grating of their cell with the intention of escaping. The trio, however, were unable to fully breach the window. Moreover, they were ill-equipped to descend the four stories to the ground level, or navigate the razor wire fence. They were apprehended in their cell by the Sheriff’s Department. March 17 Dwayne Finklea, 50, of Newton was indicted with third degree attempted burglary. The Grand Jury alleges that on Nov. 5, 2007 Dwayne Finklea attempted to enter G&S Deli in Newton by using a kitchen knife to pry open a hatch on the roof. March 19 A juvenile pled guilty to eluding and joyriding, both crimes of the third degree. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, age 15, of Sparta, was sentenced to two years probation, 60 days detention with credit for 35 days served, 25 suspended and a 12 month loss of his driver’s license when turns 17. He must also attend school every day and follow all home and school rules, complete the Alternative to Detention Program, submit a DNA sample, undergo random drug testing and pay $289 in fines and court fees. In January the juvenile, under the legal driving age, took a car from the victim in Hamburg without their permission. When police signaled for him to stop the vehicle he refused and continued to drive the vehicle. March 20 Steven Campagna, 19, of Hopatcong and Michael Landano, 23, of Jefferson were both sentenced to two years probation. Both must submit to a TASC evaluation and follow all recommendations made, submit to random urine monitoring and perform 200 hours of community service. Both must pay restitution in the amount of $196.17 joint and several, pay total fines and penalties of $155 and submit a DNA sample at their expense. Both pled guilty on Dec. 17, 2008 to credit card theft, a third degree crime. On diverse dates between March 31, 2008 and May 5, 2008, both defendants double swiped credit cards belonging to customers at a gas station in Hopatcong they were employed at. Both defendants admitted their actions to police. Michael S. Singer, 41, of Lafayette was sentenced to county jail for 270 days (with one day credit) and three years probation. Defendant must submit to a psychosexual evaluation and follow recommendations, have no contact with the victim or victim’s family and no unsupervised contact with minors under the age of 16. Fines and costs are in the amount of $2,105. On or between Sept. 2, 2002 through Nov. 9, 2204 the defendant committed indecent and immoral acts with a minor under the age of 16. Michael Gibbs, 35, of Randolph was sentenced to three years probation, 120 days jail (with 76 days credit for time served) and 36 months loss of his driver’s license. He must also undergo a TASC evaluation and follow all recommendations, undergo random drug testing, maintain employment, submit a DNA sample and pay $1605 in fines and court fees. He pled guilty on Jan. 20 to third degree unlawful taking means of conveyance, fourth degree obstruction administration of law and driving under the influence. On Nov. 10, 2007 in Rockaway, the defendant took the victim’s car without permission. He then drove the car to Morristown where he crashed into a tree. Gibbs fled the scene on foot, hindering his apprehension by Morristown Police. He was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he operated the vehicle. Matthew Cameron, 24, of Hamburg was sentenced to three years probation and 90 days SLAP. He pled guilty on Jan. 14 to possession of a weapon n destructive device, a third degree crime. Joseph M. Garofalo, 33, of Newton was sentenced to four years probation and 90 days of SLAP. He must submit his DNA and obtain gainful employment as well as reimburse his victims a total of $10,150. Garofalo pled guilty on Jan. 26 to third degree theft and third degree theft by deception. He admitted to receiving stolen property belonging to Costco, which he knew was stolen and attempted to repackage the goods and sell them to third parties. In addition, he obtained money, having a value of more than $500 from two separate individuals by creating a false impression to those individuals. Doreen P. Joseph, 51, of Montague was sentenced to two years probation, one day in jail and 15 hours of community service. She must also pay court costs. Joseph pled guilty on Jan. 22 to third degree false public alarm. She admitted that on Oct. 11, 2007 she called the State Police reporting that she had been stabbed by her mother, which later proved to be a fabrication. Daniel Wancura, 24, of Newton was sentenced to three years probation, was ordered to serve 41 days in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility and was given credit for 40 days served. He must submit to a TASC evaluation and follow all recommendations made, pay joint and several restitution in the amount of $350 and cooperate in the prosecution of any co-defendant. He must pay total fines and penalties of $155 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on Jan. 20 to criminal trespass, a fourth degree crime. On March 8, 2008, Wancura and a co-defendant entered an empty residence that was under construction in Hardyston Township without the owner’s knowledge or consent. Both gave statements to police admitting to the trespass. Dennis K. Peterson, 44, of Stanhope was sentenced to two years probation, county jail for 17 days (time served), submit to a psychological evaluation and follow recommendations and submit a DNA sample. Defendant is to have no contact with the victim or victim’s family and no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16. Fines and costs are in the amount of $205. On or about Aug. 13, 2008 the defendant urinated in a public place while in view of a minor child. Zachary Stephens, 28, of Stockholm was sentenced to three years probation, 60 days SLAP, substance abuse evaluation and treatment and $3,160 in fines. He pled guilty on Feb. 9 to the fourth degree crime of possession more than 50 grams of marijuana, the third degree crime of possession of cocaine and the fourth degree crime of possession with the intent to distribute less than an ounce of marijuana. He admitted that on April 5, 2008 he possessed a large bag of marijuana and a small amount of cocaine. That matter was investigated by Sparta Police Officer A. Petrucelli. He also admitted that on Sept. 27, 2008 in Hardyston he possessed ten small bags on marijuana that he intended to sell. That matter was investigated by Hardyston Police Sergeant Chris Bonfiglio. March 26 A juvenile pled guilty to third degree aggravated assault. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, age 16, of Newton, was sentenced to 18 months probation with a 12 month in the custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission, suspended sentence. He must also submit a DNA sample, continue with Peter and Paul Residential Treatment, comply with CMO, follow all home and school rules and pay court fines of $45. In September of 2008 the juvenile threw an aluminum baseball bat at the victim, hitting him and causing injury.