DENVILLE — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Denville Chief of Police Scott Welsch announce the arrest of Joseph Rizos, 37, of Denville, following a homemade explosives (HME) investigation that yielded the seizure of a massive trove of explosives and explosive precursors.
On the morning of June 24, 2026, a team of investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Avondale Road in Denville, led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Prior to the execution of the warrant, a motor vehicle stop was conducted and Rizos was detained.
At the residence, investigators uncovered a home laboratory along with a cache of explosive precursors commonly used to make HME. Also seized were blasting caps, cell phones, and various firearms and ammunition. A subsequent search warrant was executed for a shed also located on the property, resulting in the seizure of approximately 109 individual containers of suspected HME capable of massive destruction. A search did not locate a permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health required to store these explosive materials.
As a precaution, surrounding residences were temporarily evacuated.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division is carrying out this investigation, which includes task force officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Denville Police Department, Parsippany Police Department, Roxbury Police Department, and the Town of Boonton Police Department. Other agencies that assisted include the Morristown Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, New Jersey State Police Hazardous Material Response Unit, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Newark Division (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Newark Office (FBI).
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office initiated this investigation in March 2026. It is alleged that Rizos ran a destructive device manufacturing operation during 2025 and 2026.
On June 24, Rizos was charged with the following:
- One count of Recklessly Risking Widespread Injury/Damage, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-2C, a crime of the second degree.
- Four counts of Possession of Destructive Devices, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3A, a crime of the third degree.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be appropriate.
Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Rizos remains detained in the Morris County Jail pending a motion for pretrial detention.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said, “I want to recognize the hard work and persistence of our investigators in shutting down this potentially dangerous operation. I also wish to thank our local, state, and federal partners in providing timely assistance with this volatile situation. We recognize that matters of national significance are transpiring in Northern New Jersey right now, and that this arrest may prompt speculation and concern. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, law enforcement cannot discuss additional details at this time, such as the defendant’s intent. More will be reported to the public at the appropriate time.”
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
