SUSSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR

July 13 Brandon Kelly, 27, of Hopatcong pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He possessed a small amount of heroin on May 23 in Hopatcong which was discovered by police responded to a call regarding the defendant’s overdose. July 16 James W. Ziniewicz, 32, of Sussex pled guilty to one count of sexual assault, a second-degree crime, and one count of endangering the welfare of children, a third-degree crime. Between May 1, 2008 and July 25, 2008 the defendant had sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 16. Richard Koppenaal, 38, of Branchville pled guilty to one count of sexual assault a second-degree crime. Between September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2007 the defendant committed an act of sexual penetration with a minor male. July 17 Damian Ahuatzi, 36 of Sussex was sentenced to 18 months probation with nine days jail credit, continue with current out-patient counseling and any aftercare and comply with DYFS. Defendant must submit a DNA sample. Fines and costs are in the amount of $155.00. Between March 16, 2006 and March 16, 2008 the defendant on multiple occasions performed immoral acts in front of a victim who was under 16 years of age. Toni Wilkinson, 22, of Hawley, Penn., was sentenced to three years probation, 43 days in jail and $1,205 in fines. She pled guilty on May 19, 2008. She admitted to possessing approximately 250 bags of heroin during the course of a motor vehicle stop in Sparta on March 3, 2008 by Officer R. Smith. Phillip H. Merring, 34, of Hawley, Penn. was sentenced to three years probation, 14 days credit for time served in jail, $1,205.00 in fines and a six month loss of driver’s license. He pled guilty on May 4 to the third degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He admitted to possessing a small amount of cocaine in Sparta on July 14, 2006. Harry J. Gratton, 21, of Newton, was sentenced to three years probation, 90 days SLAP, 29 days credit for time served in jail, restitution of $1,035 and $155 in fines. Gratton pled guilty on May 11 to the fourth degree crime of unlawful possession of a weapon. He admitted to damaging a neighbor’s window with a BB gun on June 12, 2008. July 20 Patrick A. Davenport, 23, of Highland Lakes was charged with distribution of child pornography, a second degree offense; and possession of child pornography, contrary to N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b), a fourth degree crime. At his first appearance in Sussex County Superior Court, his bail was continued in the amount of $50,000 without the option of posting 10%. He was arrested on July 17, 2009, as a result of an investigation by the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit. The criminal complaints are charges only. The defendant is presumed innocent until guilt may be proved at a jury trial. July 22 Michael T. Bell, 18, of Highland Lakes, was sentenced to three years probation with 90 days in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. He must also remain medication compliant, continuing counseling; undergo random drug testing, submit a DNA sample, maintain employment, pay restitution of $209 and court fines of $155. He pled guilty on May 18, 2009, to third degree attempted burglary In March he attempted to break into a private residence in Vernon by throwing a rock through a window, but left when a put-bill began barking. Gregory M. Gottshall, 21 of Newton was sentenced to 180 in jail and four years probation. In addition, he must submit his DNA, attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, as well as undergo random drug testing. Gottshall pled guilty on June 239 to fourth degree resisting arrest. Police approached Mr. Gottshall on the street and advised him that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest and he fled the scene and was arrested the next day, When police found Gottshall, he was found under his girlfriend’s bed at the EconoLodge in Andover. July 23 Terry Back, 47, of Morristown was sentenced to three years probation. As a condition of his probation, Back was ordered to serve 270 days in the county jail and to complete his inpatient substance abuse program. Back was also ordered to pay $205 in monetary penalties. He pled guilty on April 27 to aggravated assault, a third degree crime. Back admitted to the court that on or about Dec. 3, 2008, he had assaulted an adult female during a domestic dispute. Richard Ramirez, Jr., 37, formerly of Andover Township was sentenced to a three years probation. As a condition of his probation, Ramirez is to serve 364 days in the county jail and to pay $175 in monetary penalties. He pled guilty on June 1 to one count of failure to register as a convicted sex offender, a crime of the third degree. Under the provisions of Megan’s Law, Ramirez was required to notify and register with the local police where he was residing within 10 days of first moving to the State of New Jersey. He admitted to the Court that between June 1, 2008 and Nov. 6, 2008, he failed to notify the Andover Township Police Department that he had moved to the State of New Jersey from Alabama. Editor’s Note: Police blotter information is provided by the local police and is intended as a complete listing of police activity within the period shown. The police term “arrested” may indicate anything from issuing tickets to escorting people charged with a crime to the police station.