SUSSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Jan. 5 Martha J. Fendt, 24, of Sparta pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Sentencing is anticipated for Jan. 26. She admitted that on Oct. 6, 2008 she possessed 20 bags of heroin in her home. The matter was investigated by Sparta Police Officer Joseph Antonello. Jan. 12 Patrick Homan, 21, of Hopatcong pled guilty to the third degree crime of burglary. He admitted to entering a motor vehicle on Oct. 20, 2008 in Hopatcong with the intent to steal money out of it. The matter was investigated by Hopatcong Police Officer G. Mancuso. Morgan G. Hookway, 22, of Stanhope pled guilty to three counts of third degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. Sentencing is anticipated for March 6. He admitted that on three occasions in January 2008 he sold ecstasy to an undercover detective assigned to the Sussex County Narcotics Task Force. Joseph P. Sisko, 38, of Wantage pled guilty to the second degree crime of criminal simulation, two counts of third degree theft by deception, one count of fourth degree theft by deception, one count of third degree receiving stolen property and one count of fourth degree issuing a bad check. He admitted that in May 2008 he counterfeited a New Jersey driver’s license through the use of a computer and then used that license to issue what turned out to be worthless checks to various merchants in order to obtain goods and property. Jan. 13 Dennis Peterson, 44, of Stanhope pled guilty to one count of Title 9 Child Abuse, a fourth degree crime. On or about Aug. 13, 2008, the defendant urinated in a public place while in view of a minor child. Jan. 14 Matthew Cameron, 25, of Hamburg pled guilty to possession of a destructive device, a third degree crime. The plea came on the first day of trial, as the Court began to assemble a jury panel. Charges were brought against Cameron as a result of a series of explosions, occurring on Aug. 26, 2007 and Aug. 27, 2007, in Hamburg and Hardyston townships. The State alleged that on those dates, Cameron possessed Co2 cartridges filled with gun powder. He then lit the cartridges and destroyed mailboxes, light-fixtures and a sign. The explosions caused damage to a motor vehicle and a building in the Heritage Lakes Apartment Complex. No injuries were reported. Cameron’s sentencing is scheduled for March 20 at 9 a.m. At sentencing, Cameron will face a possible six-month jail sentence and will be placed on probation for up to five years. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to make restitution to all of his victims. Jan. 15 A juvenile pled guilty on Dec. 18, 2008, to second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and two counts of fourth degree child abuse. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, age 18 (age 17 at time of crime), of Glenwood, was sentenced to three consecutive 60-day commitments in the Juvenile Detention Center with 60 days suspended and credit for 33 days. He will then remain on probation for three years until his 21st birthday. He also has a six-month loss of his driver’s license. Other conditions of probation are to submit a DNA sample, undergo random drug testing, testify truthfully against co-defendant(s), employment when not in school and pay court fines of $210. During the month of August 2008, in Vernon, the juvenile and several co-defendants provided marijuana and alcohol to a 6-year-old child and encouraged the child to consume alcohol and smoke marijuana on multiple occasions. A juvenile pled guilty to third degree burglary and fourth degree theft. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, age 14, of Vernon, was sentenced to 12 months probation and a six month loss of his driver’s license. He must also complete 30 hours of community service, have no contact with the victim, submit a DNA sample, undergo random drug testing and pay courts fines of $105. In July 2008, the juvenile and several juvenile co-defendants broke into a vehicle in Vernon taking an MP3 player and FM transmitter. They then broke into a business trailer and took 13 snowboards. This, too, occurred in Vernon. Jan. 16 Louis Grochowski, 50 of Sickleville was sentenced to probation for two years. As a condition of his probation, Grochowski is to perform 50 hours of community service, to pay costs and penalties in the amount of $155 and to pay $2,165 in restitution to the victim. He pled guilty on Nov. 3, 2008, to criminal mischief, a third degree crime. At the time he entered his guilty plea, Grochowski admitted that he had damaged personal property belonging to an adult female during the course of a domestic violence incident. Danile E. Lee, 32 of Effort, Pa., was sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison. In addition he must submit a DNA sample and pay court costs and fines. Lee pled guilty on Nov. 3, 2008 to two counts of third degree theft. He admitted to entering a residential locked garage belonging to Montague resident and taking a .22 Marlin rifle, two Stihl leaf blowers, gas cans and a case of beer. Blair. R. Milner Jr., 29 of Frankford, was sentenced to four years probation and 60 days of the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program. He will be required to submit his DNA, obtain employment and pay his victims a total of $12,282.57. Milner pled guilty on Nov. 5, 2008 to four counts of third degree receiving stolen property. In separate occasions, he admitted to being in possession of two Car-Mate trailers that were reported stolen from Hampton Body Works, a 2007 Renegade snowmobile trailer containing four snowmobiles that were reported stolen from Muller’s Auto Sales of Milford, Pa., and a 2006 Haulmaster car-hauler trailer loaded with RV parts stolen from Escape RV, Inc. of Branchville. A juvenile pled guilty on Dec. 4, 2008, to second degree burglary. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, age 18 (age 17 at time of the offense), of Highland Lakes, was sentenced to 60 days in the Juvenile Detention Center with credit for seven days. He will also have to serve a three year probation term. As conditions of probation he must undergo random drug testing, submit a DNA sample, attend school every day and follow home and school rules, have no contact with the victim, pay $940 in restitution to the victim and $75 in court fines. In October the juvenile broke into a home in Vernon and took a 9 mm. handgun. Then the juvenile and two co-defendants drove to Paterson and sold the gun. Michael J. Callahan, of Washington (Warren County), 24, was charged with attempted endangering the welfare of a child, contrary to N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a, a second degree crime. The arrest came about as a result of an investigation conducted by members of the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, High Tech Crimes Unit. The arrest stemmed from an investigation in which Michael J. Callahan allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations via the Internet with what he believed was a 14-year-old female. Timothy Russell, 48 of Staten Island, N.Y., was sentenced to probation for 12 months. As a condition of his probation, Russell is to perform 100 hours of community service and to pay costs and penalties in the amount of $280. He pled guilty on Dec. 1, 2008, to forgery and tampering with a public record, both fourth degree crimes. At the time he entered his guilty plea, Russell admitted that he had altered New Jersey State Police receipt, forged his wife’s signature to the receipt and submitted the altered receipt to the Superior Court-Family Part. Matthew J. Presco, 21 of Budd Lake, was sentenced to five years in state prison. He must also provide his DNA, pay court costs and fines and $2,100 restitution to his victim. Presco pled guilty on Dec. 17, 2008 to third degree theft. He admitted to cashing checks totaling $3,300 from his co-defendant’s mother’s checking account. The incident was investigated by Patrolman Meghan McCluskey of the Hopatcong Borough Police Department. Jan. 20 Michael Gibbs, 35, of Randolph, pled guilty to third degree unlawful taking means of conveyance, fourth degree obstruction administration of law and DWI. Sentencing is anticipated for March 20. On Nov. 10, 2007, the defendant broke into a vehicle and took the car. He then drove the car into a tree. Gibbs fled on foot leaving the scene, thus hindering his apprehension by the Morristown Police. Daniel Wancura, 24, of Newton, pled guilty 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. Feb. 2 Thomas Lombardi, 25, of Roxbury pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of stolen property. Sentencing is presently anticipated for March 27. He admitted that on July 16, 2008 in Hampton he possessed a handgun knowing that it was probably stolen. Amber J. Decker, 19, of Montague pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Sentencing is presently anticipated for Feb. 23. She admitted to possessing heroin on Nov. 24, 2008 in Hardyston. Cynthia A. Grau, 20, of Hamburg pled guilty to the fourth degree crime of possession of prescription legend drug. Sentencing is presently anticipated for March 27. She admitted to possessing numerous seroquel and klonopin tablets without a prescription in Newton on April 21, 2008. Carrie A. Sheehan, 26, of Tranquility pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. She admitted to possessing three bags of heroin in Newton on Sept. 13, 2008. The matter was investigated by Newton Police Officer Scott Vertetis. Feb. 3 Francis J. Boyle, 39, of Vernon pled guilty to third degree receiving stolen property. Sentencing is presently anticipated for April 3. Thomas Miller, 20, of Highland Lakes pled guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of burglary, both crimes of the second degree and one count of third degree possession of a weapon with unlawful purpose. Sentencing is presently anticipated for April 3. On Oct. 16, 2007, Miller conspired with several other co-defendants and unlawfully entered a home and Miller and the defendants were armed and caused serious bodily injury to an occupant. Feb. 4 Rachael Swaynos, age 18 formerly of Hopatcong, was sentenced to three years probation. As a condition of her probation, Swaynos was ordered to serve 96 days in the Sussex County Jail with credit for the 95 days she has served in lieu of bail. Swaynos was also ordered to enroll in, and successfully complete, an intensive outpatient substance abuse program, undergo random drug testing, attend NA meetings and obtain an NA sponsor. In addition, she was ordered to pay $1,330 in monetary penalties and her driver’s license was suspended for a period of six months. She pled guilty on Dec. 15, 2008, to forgery, a third degree crime and possession of heroin, a third degree crime. She admitted that between Sept. 9 and 12, 2008, she had stolen numerous checks from an adult relative. She also admitted that she was in possession of heroin. James A. Yurchak, age 45, of Hardyston indicted with murder, a first degree crime and possession of a weapon with purpose to use it unlawfully against the person of another, a crime of the second degree. It is alleged that on Feb. 19, 2008 James Yurchak purposely and knowingly caused the death of his wife, Dawn Yurchak, by shooting her in the head with a .45 caliber Ruger handgun. He then suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, was treated at a hospital and subsequently transferred to a rehabilitation facility before being discharged on April 3, 2008. The defendant is currently free on bail in the amount of $500,000 no 10 percent. The defendant is presumed innocent until guilt may be proved at a jury trial. Feb. 6 Brett Giammanco, 35, of Sparta, was indicted with terroristic threats, a third degree crime; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a third degree crime; unlawful possession of a knife, a fourth degree crime; criminal restraint, a third degree crime; witness tampering, a third degree crime; and contempt of court for violating the terms of an order entered under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, a fourth degree crime. Anthony Steccato, 58, of Newton,was indicted with three counts of criminal mischief, all third degree crimes. Andy DeLeon, 33, of Bronx, New York, was indicted with criminal trespass, a fourth degree crime. Martin Gibbs, 44, of Sussex was sentenced to serve 246 days in the Sussex County Jail and received 246 days jail credit. In addition, Gibbs is required to pay $530 in monetary penalties. He pled guilty on Dec. 2, 2008, to two counts of failure to notify law enforcement of a change of address, a fourth degree crime and two counts of violating the terms of his special sentence of Community Supervision for Life. Under the provisions of Megan’s Law, Gibbs was required to notify the local police that he was moving to a new address 10 days prior to his actual move. In addition, under the terms of his community supervision for life Gibbs was required to report to his parole officer, reside at an address that is approved by his parole officer, obtain permission prior to moving, and obtain permission prior to leaving the State of New Jersey. Feb. 6 Scott D. Verhage, 18, of Highland Lakes, was sentenced to two years probation, 62 days in jail with credit for time served, substance abuse evaluation and treatment and $2,330 in fines. He pled guilty on Dec. 15, 2008 to two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He admitted to possessing a large number of Xanax in Vernon Township on May 29, 2008. Fredrick J. Watts, 20, of Vernon, was sentenced to five years in prison with a one year period of parole in eligibility, $1,300 in fines and a six-month loss of driver’s license. He pled guilty on Dec. 15, 2008 to the third degree crime of distribution of marijuana and to the second degree crime of possessing a firearm while possessing a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute it. He admitted that on Oct. 8, 2008 he distributed a quarter pound of marijuana to an individual cooperating with the Sussex County Gang, Guns and Narcotic Task Force. He also admitted to possessing ten pounds of marijuana the following day with the intent to distribute it while at the same time possessing several firearms. Ashley L. Hutchinson, 26, of Warwick, NY was sentenced to one year probation, 61 days credit for time served in jail, substance abuse evaluation and $955 in fines. She pled guilty on Dec. 15, 2008 to the fourth degree crime of possession of marijuana. She had admitted to possessing more than 50 grams of marijuana on Oct. 16, 2008 in the Township of Vernon. Feb. 8 Sarah C. Schmidt, 23, of Columbia, NJ pled guilty to shoplifting, a third degree crime. Between Aug. 18, 2008 and Aug. 20, 2008, the defendant stole merchandise from Lowe’s in Hampton Township then returned the merchandise in exchange for Lowe’s gift cards. She admitted her actions to police both verbally and in writing. Feb. 9 Jonathan D. Wagner, 25, of Lafayette pled guilty to eluding, a third degree crime, and to a motor vehicle violation of driving while intoxicated. Sentencing is presently anticipated for April 3, 2009. On Sept. 27, 2008, the defendant led New Jersey State Police troopers on a high speed chase from Route 206 in Frankford Township to Route 15 in Lafayette Township. After running a red light at the intersection of Route 206 and Plains Road, passing another vehicle over the double yellow lines, and losing control of the vehicle and crashing into an embankment, the car finally came to a stop and the defendant was arrested. Daniel P. Morgan, 18, of Pompton Plains pled guilty to four counts of burglary, all third degree crimes. Sentencing is presently anticipated for April 3, 2009. On Dec. 1, 2008 in Newton, the defendant and a co-defendant burglarized two local businesses and parked vehicles, taking electronics, jewelry items and tools. Calvin Smith, 19, of Hamburg entered a guilty plea to an accusation charging him with one count of a fourth degree charge for a Megan’s Law violation for failure to notify law enforcement that he had moved to a new address. Under the provisions of Megan’s Law, Smith was required to notify the local police that he was moving to a new address 10 days prior to his actual move. Smith admitted to the court that on or about Aug. 20, 2008 he had moved to a new address in Hamburg without first notifying the New Jersey State Police of the change in his address. Robert Antonecchia, 21, of Highland Lakes pled guilty to third degree possession of heroin and fourth degree theft. Sentencing is presently anticipated for April 3, 2009. In November he was found to be in possession of heroin and in July of 2008 Antonecchia waited in a vehicle while a co-defendant took a leaf blower from a truck. He then sold the leaf blower. Feb. 11 Daniel Cabral, age 21, of Barryville, NY, was sentenced to three years probation. He pled guilty on April 9, 2007 to burglary and theft by unlawful taking, both third degree crimes.