Category Archives: News
Driver can expect serious charges after fatal crash
Brent Burke of Barnegat, New Jersey was headed north on Route 9 in the area of Bayshore Drive when he crossed the center line and veered into oncoming traffic. Burke’s Dodge Dakota collided head-on with a Chevy Trailblazer driven by Stephen Len, also of Barnegat. The impact sent Len’s vehicle into northbound lanes where it struck a car driven by Steve Catranis of Waretown. Catranis and his wife, Julie Catranis, were both airlifted to hospital where Steve Catranis died. Julie Catranis is listed in critical condition.
Barnegat police reported that Burke fled the scene following the crash. He was later found and cited for driving under the influence. He can expect vehicular homide charges to be filed on Monday and, based upon a number of factors including his BAC, he will likely be charged with aggravated manslaughter. If that happens, he’ll need a good attorney to secure a good plea.
These cases are very tough to try and the the State will get a flight charge if the case goes to trial. As a result, the jury will hate him even more than they already do. We’ll have to see who he gets as an attorney.
North Brunswick football coach under investigation for possible altercation with student
Football coach and social studies teacher Mark Zielinski is under investigation for possibly having “some sort of conflict” with a student at a home game on Oct. 23. Oddly enough, this accusation just came out over the weekend. The parents of the child claim that this was because they were waiting for the football season to be over.
This coach needs a good attorney but I’m afraid he will get a union attorney who may do next to nothing for him. His attorney needs to launch a full investigation today. Not next week. not next month, not waiting to see what happens. Lock everyone into a statement now and figure out who is friend or foe. Not only will this help the attorney prepare for the defense of the case but it will likely shut down the entire case right here.
Why do people opt for the no-cost or low-cost attorney? In my opinion, it is usually because people are in denial and they think that nothing bad will happen. Of course, people like this coach have everything on the line so they should get the best help they can get. We’ll see where this goes.
Story is here.
Assistant pastor for Mahwah Full Gospel Church charged with sexual assault
Curtis Franklin, the assistant pastor for Mahwah Full Gospel Church in Bergen County has been charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and child endangerment. The State alleges that he assaulting a girl, whom he met through the church’s youth ministry, about six years ago. What took six years and why all of a sudden this came up is unknown.
I’m not sure how much assistant pastors make but he really needs a good attorney. It is possible to win this case if the attorney knows what he or she is doing. The timing of all this will be the key focus of the case. Of course, this assumes that he did not confess.
Story is here.
Edison high school coach/South Plainfield teacher charged with sexual assault
Let the debate begin. Another female teacher charged with sexual contact wiith a minor. My guess is that she will not do any jail time. She’ll get a union attorney and this case will go away quickly. These cases just seem to have a pattern.
Sarah Blessing, 27, of South Plainfield, a coach at Bishop George Ahr High School and a fifth-grade teacher at Park Middle School in Scotch Plains, has been charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a girl. The State alleges that she had a relationship with a girl that began in June and continued until her arrest.
Story is here.
New website
We have a new website for our princeton office: http://www.princetondivorceattorney.com
http://www.monmouthcountydivorceattorney.com
http://www.redbankdivorcelawyer.com
http://www.oceancountydivorceattorney.com
You can also check out these sites:
Over 20 people charged in connection with Monmouth County heroin ring
With these multi-defendant cases, there are two types of defendants: those with the good lawyers and those with something else. Speed is a big factor. As a good lawyer, you have to jump on this case to try to work out the best deal for your client. Your job is to put the best deal on the table right away. If the client doesn’t want it, its time to prepare for trial.
On November 16 and 17, 2009, Detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Old Bridge Police Department, the Sayreville Police Department, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office arrested Dectric Rawls, a/k/a “Low,” 29, of Matawan, NJ, and twenty of his associates, on criminal complaints charging them with numerous crimes relating to heroin distribution activities. Members of the Aberdeen Township, Atlantic Highlands, Hazlet Township, Highlands, Holmdel Township, Keansburg, Keyport, Matawan, Middletown Township and Union Beach Police Departments provided officers who worked as members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office which specifically targeted narcotics activity in those towns which are collectively known as the Bayshore area of Monmouth County. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Lakewood Police Department assisted with the arrests.
The arrests followed a comprehensive investigation which was commenced by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office after law enforcement authorities received information indicating that Dectric Rawls was responsible for distributing significant amounts of heroin in the Bayshore area of Monmouth County. During the investigation, Dectric Rawls used his associates, including Jessica Henderson and Jacquelin Wiedemeyer, to sell heroin to undercover detectives on various dates. The investigation revealed that Dectric Rawls sold approximately 100 bricks of heroin, with a street value of approximately $25,000, each week. A “brick” of heroin typically contains 50 glassine bags of heroin.
On November 16, 2009, law enforcement officers executed a search of Dectric Rawls’ residence on Fredwood Place in Matawan. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 63 bricks of heroin, a Lorcin .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun and $28,766. The “bricks” of heroin have a weight of approximately three ounces and a street value of approximately $15,000. A 2001 GMC Yukon belonging to Dectric Rawls, which he utilized during his drug distribution activities, was also seized.
The search of Dectric Rawls’ residence led detectives to a storage facility in Morganville, New Jersey. Later the same day, detectives conducted a search of a storage unit at that facility 2
which was rented by Dectric Rawls. A safe located inside the storage unit contained an additional $258,491.
Rawls was arrested and charged with the first degree crime of being a Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, and the third degree crimes of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity and Conspiracy to Commit the foregoing Offenses. As a result of the search of his residence, additional second degree charges of Certain Persons not to Possess Weapons, Possession of a Weapon During the Course of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute were filed against Rawls. The Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, A.J.S.C., set bail on the charges at $1,250,000 cash only. Additionally, a bail source hearing is required prior to the posting of any bail. Rawls is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of bail.
Amanda Strohkirch was inside Rawls’ residence when officers conducted the search of that location. Strohkirch was taken into custody on third degree charges of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance. The Honorable Thomas F. Scully, P.J.S.C., set bail for these offenses at $50,000 with no ten percent option. As a result of the searches, Strohkirch was additionally charged with the second degree offenses of Possession of a Weapon During the Course of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance With Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, A.J.S.C., set bail on the additional charges at $150,000 cash only. Additionally, a bail source hearing is required prior to the posting of any bail. Stohkirch is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of bail. A 2001 Chrysler 300 belonging to Amanda Strohkirch, which she utilized during her drug distribution activities on behalf of Rawls, was also seized.
In furtherance of the investigation, a search was conducted of Daryel Rawls’ residence on Albert Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey. Daryel Rawls is Dectric Rawls’ brother. As a result of that search, 37 bricks of heroin and $5,300 in cash were recovered. Daryel Rawls was charged with the second degree crime of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute and the third degree crime of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Bail for Daryel Rawls was set at $25,000 with no ten percent option by Municipal Court Judge Scott J. Basen. Daryel Rawls remains in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.
On November 16 and 17, 2009, law enforcement officers affected arrests of 17 additional members of Dectric Rawls’ heroin distribution network. The following individuals were arrested and charged with the third degree crimes of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance and had their bail set at $25,000 with no 10 percent option by the Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, A.J.S.C., or the Honorable Thomas F. Scully, P.J.S.C., as indicated:
Brandon Vashey, 20, of Krueger Place, Middletown, NJ (Hon. Thomas F. Scully)
Jessica Henderson, 19, of Oregon Avenue, Middletown, NJ (Hon. Thomas F. Scully)
Joseph Plaia, 52, of Willow Street, Highlands, NJ (Hon. Thomas F. Scully) 3
Joseph Dube, 25, of Brookside Avenue, Cliffwood Beach, NJ (Hon. Thomas F. Scully)
John Puglisi, Jr., 31, of Forest Avenue, Keansburg, NJ (Hon. Thomas F. Scully)
Kevin Craven, 24, of Sealey Avenue, Keansburg, NJ (Hon. Lawrence M. Lawson)
Russell K. Dunn, 22, of Highland Avenue, Leonardo, NJ (Hon. Lawrence M. Lawson)
The following individuals were arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance and had their bail set at $25,000 with no 10 percent option by the Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, A.J.S.C.:
Dawn M. Pastor, 37, of Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ
Shara Coppola, 22, of Forest Avenue, Keansburg, NJ
Peter J. Slover, 27, of 6th Street, Union Beach, NJ
Christine Jenkins, 24, of Highland Avenue, Hazlet, NJ
John W. Maynard, 28, of Oceanport Avenue, Little Silver, NJ
Andrea J. Ray, 24, of Bristel Road, Holmdel, NJ
Anthony Galluccio, 19, of Clark Place, Middletown, NJ
Casey Vota, 22, of Olivia Place, Matawan, NJ
Robin Ruff, 24, of Fleetwood Drive, Hazlet, NJ
Jacquelin Wiedemeyer, 19, of Leonardville Road, Belford, NJ, was charged with two counts each of the third degree crimes Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, for selling heroin to an undercover detective on behalf of Dectric Rawls on two separate occasions. The Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, A.J.S.C., set her bail at $100,000 with no ten percent option.
While the investigation was still in progress on October 8, 2009, Joel Benitez, 25 of Freehold, purchased three bricks of heroin from Rawls. Police immediately arrested him and after a brief struggle he was placed in custody. The heroin was recovered, and Benitez was charged with the second degree crimes of Attempting to Disarm a Law Enforcement Officer and Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer. Benitez was also charged with the third degree crimes of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute and Resisting Arrest. Benitez remains incarcerated at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of $220,000 bail with no ten percent option set by Municipal Court Judge Scott J. Basen.
Jackson firefighter charged with sexually assaulting children
John Wes Ackley, of Andover Road, Jackson, also an employee of the Board of Fire Commissioners of Fire District 4 has been charged with aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault, each of a child, possession of child pornography on his computer and on a data flash drive, and endangering the welfare of a child. These incidents are alleged to have occurred over a 15 month time span.
Ackley was charged after being questioned by the office of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office which is code for (in my opinion) he confessed. He was subsequently suspended from his job. Even if he did not confess, the alleged child porn in this case is going to make it real tough for the defense as it will be used to show that the child porn was used to make the child more comfortable with the alleged abuse. Thus, the credibility of the victim will be strengthened.
This is the type of case where the defense should act very quickly to try to end this case and get the best result possible. While I have had people charged with the same offenses and have kept them out of prison, it is not easy to do. Of course, if there is a defense here, it should be pursued to trial. Story is here.
Jersey City official for alleged online chats with young children
Joseph Ambrosio an assistant comptroller for Jersey City who resides in Wall, has been arrested for allegedly chatting with law enforcement who were posing as young girls in an online chat room. He was charged with one count of Attempted Sexual Assault, a crime of the second degree; 6 counts of Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child, crimes of the third degree, and one count of Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact, a crime of the fourth degree.
Based upon these charges, it is safe to bet that there were at least six different chats and that one of them got very heated due to the second degree charge.
This was a broad investigation that was conducted by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Bayonne Police Department and the Jersey City Police Department also provided assistance.
If convicted, he is looking at 5 to 10 years in prison with no hope of avoiding prison. However, I have been able to keep my clients out of prison/jail by working out these case early.
These cases often turn on whether or not the face (or other body part) of the defendant was shown via a webcam or images that were taken specifically for the would-be young girl. If there is nothing other than text, then there is some room to argue that it was someone else. Otherwise, that defense goes out the window. Since almost all of these cases involve some type of video/image evidence, these cases almost never go to trial.
If this guy gets a good attorney right away, staying out of prison is possible. If you have been charged with this or any other crime, call me to discuss. Story is here.
Retired NYPD cop and two sons charged in Barnegat with drug possession
Barnegat Police raided the house of retired New York City police officer Salvatore Costa. Costa, and his sons Guiseppe and Salvatore were all arrested. Inside, police allegedly found unknown quantities of steroids, cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone and other drug paraphernalia. An undisclosed amount of cash and two handguns that were properly registered were also seized.
Salvatore Costa Sr is charged with two third-degree counts of drug possession, as well as possession of paraphernalia and a hypodermic syringe. I’d like to know why he is not charged with intent to distribute. It could really impact the case moving forward.
Salvatore Costa Jr is charged with two counts of third-degree drug possession, third-degree drug possession with the intent to distribute, third-degree drug distribution and fourth-degree evidence tampering as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.
Guiseppe Costa is charged with third-degree drug possession, third-degree drug possession with the intent to distribute, possession of paraphernalia and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana.
Family co-defendant cases are always interesting since you know that no one is going to flip on the others. Thus, everyone usually moves together. I know it looks bad for this family, but if they get good attorneys, it should turn out good for them. I’ve done much better with worse. Story is here.
Ex-cop cannot be prosecuted for sex with cow
Imagine being this guy’s lawyer? Former Moorestown police officer Robert Melia Jr. was charged last year with sexually assaulting three girls. During the investigation, police allegedly found a video in his house that showed him sexually molesting cows in 2006. There is no indication as to who held the camera.
Judge James Morley in Burlington dismissed the charges on Wednesday holding that the State did not present enough evidence to jurors that his alleged actions tormented the animals on a Southampton farm. However, Judge Morley made clear that he doesn’t think the alleged action is OK.
The case mooves (sorry, couldn’t help it) on with Melia and former girlfriend Heather Lewis still charged with molesting the three girls.
Story is here.
Tonacchio Law LC 