Morris County Narcotics Task Force Takes Down Drug Ring, Seizes Cocaine, and Makes Multiple Arrests

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Narcotics Task Force Takes Down Drug Ring, Seizes Cocaine, and Makes Multiple Arrests

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone confirmed an investigation by the Morris County Narcotics Task Force which resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of over 300 grams of cocaine, $14,000 in U.S. currency, and drug distribution materials. 

Edwin Robles, 36, Paterson, was charged with the following:

  • One count of First-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute.
  • One count of Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.   
  • One count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine.
  • One count of Third-Degree Money Laundering.

Robles was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with Criminal Justice Reform Act, pending a detention hearing.

Andy Maguino Moreno, 43, Paterson, was charged with the following:

  • One count of Second-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute.
  • One count of Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.  
  • One count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine.

Maguino was charged on a summons complaint and released.

Prosecutor Carroll thanks the following agencies for their assistance and commitment to the Narcotics Task Force: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Dover Police Department, Town of Boonton Police Department, and the Roxbury Police Department. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit contributed to the successful culmination of this investigation.   

The prosecution of both defendants is being conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division.

Chief Adone stated he is thankful for the continually strong working relationship between the Roxbury Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and appreciates the outstanding effort all involved have put into this case. 

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Everyone’s a Winner at Par-Troy West Little League’s Challenger Games for Special Needs Athletes

Frank L. Cahill
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Everyone’s a Winner at Par-Troy West Little League’s Challenger Games for Special Needs Athletes

PARSIPPANY — The Par-Troy Little League will again sponsor “Challenger Games” on Sunday, May 7, starting at 2:00 p.m. The games will be held at the Par-Troy Little League West Complex, 89 Elmwood Drive.

The first game starts at 2:00 p.m. when PTWLL “buddies” assist Challenger Players in their game.


At 4:00 p.m., PTWLL faces the Challengers in a special game with special rules for PTWLL players. So far, the Challengers are undefeated! Everyone is welcome to come and participate.

The Challenger League is a baseball league for disabled children established in 1986 by Williamsport Little League.

The Morris County Challenger Little League was established in 1999. The dedicated volunteers create a positive environment for the children who need this program. Most of the participants are from Morris County, and a few are from the neighboring counties.

The ages of participants are five years old to 21 years old. The 21-year-old must be attending a school to participate.

The Baseball schedule begins in the middle of April and ends at the end of June. The games are played in a different town every weekend.

PTWLL “buddies” can be players, siblings, parents, or guardians of nearly all ages. PTWLL participants have found the games to be very rewarding and fun. Everyone is welcome to come and participate.

For more information on Morris County Challenger Little League, click here.

Renovations Begin at the Former Kmart Building

Frank L. Cahill
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Renovations Begin at the Former Kmart Building

PARSIPPANY — Work has started at the Former Kmart Building, Route 46, Parsippany. As reported in Parsippany Focus, the building will be subdivided into three retail units containing 25,623 square feet, 25,205 square feet, and 54,024 square feet.

The building has been vacant since the end of 2017, when over 200 Sears and Kmart locations closed.

HomeGoods and Marshalls are confirmed tenants for a section of the space, but no information is available about which retailers will occupy the remaining 54,024 square feet.

As detailed on January 6, 2020, Parsippany Master Plan, the owner had initially proposed to develop a total of 313 units, 63 of which will be affordable, in a new mixed-use building to replace a former K-Mart store.

Reprinted from Parsippany-Troy Hills Master Plan, dated January 6, 2020

Driver Hospitalized Following Motor Vehicle Accident

Frank L. Cahill
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Driver Hospitalized Following Motor Vehicle Accident

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman Kenneth Hawthorne responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and North Beverwcyk Road on Wednesday, April 12, at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Mr. Dennis Burns, 62, was traveling east on Lake Shore Drive and collided with a vehicle driven by Mr. Jay Patel, 24, who was traveling north on North Beverwyck Road. Both drivers indicated they had a “green” light and collided.

A witness at the scene stated Mr. Patel had a “green” light and that Mr. Burns caused the crash for failure to observe a traffic device.

Mr. Burns was transported to St. Clares Hospital, Denville, by Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid.

Mr. Burns was driving a 2020 Hyundai Electra towed from the scene by Eagle Towing. Mr. Patel was driving a 2019 Hyundai Tucson and was towed by Eagle Towing.

At the time of this article, there were no summons issued.

Mr. Patel was driving a 2019 Hyundai Tucson

 

Chris Graham received a “Certificate of Appreciation”

Frank L. Cahill
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Chris Graham received a “Certificate of Appreciation”

PARSIPPANY — Chris Graham has been recognized for his dedication and hard work towards Little League Baseball and Softball. Receiving a “Certificate of Appreciation” is a wonderful way to acknowledge his contributions and show gratitude for his service. It’s always heartening to see individuals recognized for their efforts and commitment to positively impacting their community.

Par-Troy West Little League (PTWLL) is a non-profit IRS 501.C.3 organization established in 1952. The league is run by a Board of Directors, all volunteers. PTWLL receives no outside local, state, or federal financial aid to operate our program. All funds are received through donations, fundraisers, sponsors, and registration fees. All funds are used to maintain the fields and to pay for all services, insurance, utilities, equipment, and uniforms.

PTWLL is in full compliance with all Little League Rules and Regulations. PTWLL has an approved charter regularly approved by Little League Headquarters every season. Our approved By-Laws, which are quite similar to approved By-Laws of the past and those of other Little League organizations, have been approved by Little League International Headquarters in Williamsport, PA.

 

Demolition of 1633 Littleton Road; Former Skanska USA Offices

Frank L. Cahill
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Demolition of 1633 Littleton Road; Former Skanska USA Offices

PARSIPPANY — Another office building in Parsippany has been demolished to make room for future development. 

The bundle of rubble is the only remains of 1633 Littleton Road.

The building consisted of 57,722 square feet and was built in 1978. It was rated as a Class A Office Building.

Some of the beams remain standing.

The building has been vacant since Skanska USA moved to 389 Interpace Parkway in April 2014. The property was listed on plans to build multi-family apartment buildings on the adjacent property. At the hearing, it was discussed that the property of 1633 would be turned into recreation, but no plans have been submitted.

The building was recently demolished.
The demolition of 1633 Littleton Road

According to the Master Plan, Mack-Cali (Block 202, Lots 3.12 and 3.20) is located at Two and Three Campus Drive. The owner of this property has proposed to develop a total of 410 units, 82 of which will be affordable housing, in two new multi-family apartment buildings: one to replace a vacant office building at Two Campus Drive and one to be constructed on vacant land at Three Campus Drive.

2 Campus Drive: Block 202, Lot 3.20

Principal Use Multifamily
Max. Number of Dwelling Units 172
Min. Lot Area (acres) 5
Max. Building Story/ Height (ft) 3/40 up to 60 ft from westerly property line 4/50 remainder

Recently the property owner requested the Planning Board for a two-year extension to start construction.

The buildings located at Two Campus Drive were also demolished recently.

In 2007 Skanska AB was awarded the design/build contract for the $1.4 billion Jets/Giants NFL Football Stadium project in the Meadowlands.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Aura Dunn Tours Headquarters of Solix

Frank L. Cahill
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New Jersey Assemblywoman Aura Dunn Tours Headquarters of Solix

PARSIPPANY — Solix, Inc. recently hosted New Jersey State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (LD-25), who toured the Company’s Parsippany headquarters, learned more about Solix’s government and commercial client work throughout the United States, and held a town hall forum with employees.

Based in New Jersey for over 20 years, Solix is a business process solutions provider that helps connect people to essential programs and services. The Company has administered complex regulatory programs, provided comprehensive eligibility determination and enrollment services, deployed web-based and mobile technology solutions, and provided multi-channel customer care for national, state, and county-level projects.

“Making New Jersey government more efficient is a goal I share with Solix, so gaining insight into their work that connects people, organizations, and schools to critical services was encouraging. Headquartered here in New Jersey, Solix stands as a prime example of the type of outstanding talent that can be tapped into right here to create better processes that will ultimately advance our economy,” Dunn said. “This New Jersey-based business is improving lives locally and nationally, and I value the opportunities I have to learn from the employees making that happen.”

Assemblywoman Dunn serves on the Assembly Budget, Commerce and Economic Development, and Women and Children Committees and is appointed to the Human Relations Council and the Women’s Re-entry Commission. She is also a founding member and current Co-Chair of the Legislative Disability Caucus and currently serves as a board member of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. She volunteers as a JBWS-certified domestic violence crisis response team member for local police departments.

With Solix as a partner, public and private sector organizations can simplify complex requirements and improve the user experience for programs that significantly impact the well-being of individuals and organizations nationwide.  The Company provides process and customer care solutions that result in more than $2 billion in annual funding.  Solix employees are proud that they positively impact so many lives throughout the United States, exemplified by our recent work on pandemic response and economic recovery initiatives, including rental assistance and small business grant programs. For more information about Solix, please visit www.solixinc.com or call (800) 200-0818.

Council to Hold Special Meeting for Budget Hearings

Frank L. Cahill
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Council to Hold Special Meeting for Budget Hearings

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Loretta Gragnani scheduled a Public Hearing for Tuesday, May 2, to discuss the 2023 Municipal Budget.

The hearing will start from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. 

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Council voted unanimously to introduce the 2023 Municipal Budget at Tuesday, April 18, council meeting.

The second reading and final adoption are set for Tuesday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m. or shortly after.

The proposed budget shows an increase in the property tax levy of 3.76% and an overall tax increase of 2.57%, or $99.23 more per year per homeowner, based on an average home valuation in Parsippany of $313,063.

Mayor James Barberio said, “We are putting forward a responsible, balanced budget that provides the services our community deserves. The overall increase in the tax rate is 2.57%, and the local tax rate is 3.76%. That’s a $99.23 annual impact on the average homeowner. That comes to $8.33 a month. Nobody likes the budget with a tax increase, but we have minimized the amount of the increase while dealing with significant nationwide economic impacts and external influences. The balanced budget overcomes significant fixed cost increases created by rising inflation and contractual increases and prepares the townships for the future through critical infrastructure improvements and public safety investments. On top of the ongoing inflationary and supply chain issues, we are dealing with increases in health benefits costs, pension costs, utility costs, liability insurance premiums, and debt interest pressure, among other items, through investments in our public safety.”

Click here to download a “User-Friendly Budget.”

Video: Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – April 19, 2023

Frank L. Cahill
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Video: Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – April 19, 2023

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board Meeting – April 19, 2023.

Click here to download the agenda. (Agenda for Special meeting)

Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment
2023 Members and Term Dates

  • Robert Iracane    Chairman    12/31/25
  • Dave Kaplan    Vice-Chair       12/31/23
  • Bernard Berkowitz    Member      12/31/24
  • Scot Joskowitz    Member        12/31/25
  • Nancy Snyder    Member        12/31/23
  • Sridath Reddy    Member        12/31/25
  • Davey Willans    Member        12/31/24
  • Casey Parikh    Alt. No. 1        12/31/23
  • Chris Mazzarella    Alt. No. 2        12/31/23
  • John Chadwick, Planner, John T. Chadwick IV P.P.
  • Chas Holloway, Engineer, Keller & Kirkpatrick
  • Peter King, Attorney, King Moench Hirniak & Collins, LLP
  • Nora O. Jolie, Board Secretary

Agenda subject to change without notice
Although the information on this site is believed to be reliable, online postings of meeting agendas are not considered official copies.

 

Sentencing Set for Matt O’Donnell

Frank L. Cahill
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Sentencing Set for Matt O’Donnell

MORRIS COUNTY — Matt O’Donnell, the attorney who cooperated in a corruption sting operation where prominent political figures were accused of taking bribes in exchange for legal work. Facing three years in prison, O’Donnell could see postponement since cases where he is a potential witness, have not yet been heard, as reported in NJGLOBE.

Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas, former Morris County Freeholder John Cesaro, and former Mount Arlington Councilman John Windish are scheduled to appear before a Superior Court judge on June 14 for a hearing.

The five defendants are charged with taking thousands of dollars in bribes from Matt O’Donnell in the form of campaign contributions. In return, the defendants allegedly promised the cooperating witness, a tax attorney, that they would vote or use their official authority or influence to hire or continue to hire his law firm for lucrative government legal work. Envelopes and paper bags filled with cash – and even a coffee cup stuffed with cash – were delivered to the defendants by the cooperating witness at restaurants, parking lots, a political fundraiser, and a campaign headquarters. Other times the cooperating witness offered checks from illegal “straw donors” – individuals reimbursed to write checks to the defendant’s campaign in amounts that complied with the legal limit on individual donations.

The following five defendants were charged separately in criminal complaints with second-degree bribery in official and political matters:

  • John Cesaro – Former Morris County Freeholder  (Click here to download indictment)
  • Sudhan Thomas – Jersey City School Board President (Click here to download indictment)
  • Jason O’Donnell – Former State Assemblyman and Former Bayonne Mayoral Candidate (Click here to download indictment)
  • John Windish – Former Mount Arlington Council Member (Click here to download indictment)
  • Mary Dougherty – Former Morris County Freeholder Candidate

The defendants who held public office at the time of the alleged conduct – Thomas, Cesaro, and Windish – also are charged with second-degree acceptance or receipt of unlawful benefit by a public servant for official behavior.

“We allege that these political candidates were all too willing to sell the authority of their public office or the office they sought in exchange for an envelope filled with cash or illegal checks from straw donors,” said Attorney General Grewal. “This is old-school political corruption at its worst— the kind that undermines the political process and erodes public faith in government. We are working through the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability to create a culture of accountability in New Jersey, where public officials know they must act with integrity or face the consequences.”

“These cases reflect one of OPIA’s core missions, which is to root out corruption and misconduct in state and local government and related elections,” said OPIA Director Thomas Eicher. “We are determined to hold public officials and candidates responsible for their actions, no matter their political positions or alliances. New Jersey has some of the nation’s strongest anti-corruption laws. We will use them to ensure that government officials single-mindedly serve the public interest, not their own selfish interests.”

The defendants were charged in an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability which began in early 2018 and focused on political figures in Hudson and Morris counties who allegedly solicited illegal campaign contributions from the cooperating witness in return for promised official action to provide him with government work.

The alleged criminal conduct occurred between August and October 2018.
Attorney General Grewal commended all of the prosecutors and detectives who conducted and supervised the investigations for the OPIA Corruption Bureau under the leadership of OPIA Director Thomas Eicher. Deputy Attorneys General Pearl Minato, John A. Nicodemo, and Anthony Robinson are prosecuting the cases under the supervision of Counsel to the Director Anthony Picione. Former OPIA Deputy Chief Jeffrey Manis also supervised the cases.

Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. The second-degree charges against those who held public office at the time of the alleged conduct – Thomas, Cesaro, and Windish – carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison without eligibility for parole under New Jersey’s enhanced penalties for official corruption.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Attorney General Grewal created the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability in September 2018 to combat corruption and strengthen public confidence in government institutions. Earlier this month, the Attorney General issued a directive codifying OPIA and making it a permanent part of the Attorney General’s Office. That directive established the OPIA Corruption Bureau as the lead office within the Department of Law & Public Safety to investigate and prosecute state criminal violations involving corruption and abuse of public trust.

O’Donnell McCord PC was located at 5 Mount Kemble Avenue, Morristown.

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