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.
Union City High School teacher is charged with sexual contact with student
Gabriel Vasquez, a physical education teacher from Union City High School was charged with criminal sexual contact with a 16-year-old female student in his home. Vasquez, 28 of North Bergen, was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct. Since he was not charged with sexual assault, he is not alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the student.
Vasquez is also an assistant football and lacrosse coach. The victim’s mother contacted school officials after finding out about alleged crimes that occurred this month. The school then noified the Union City police. Oddly enough, the official misconduct charges may be the most serious charges that he faces. My guess is that he will get a union attorney who will quickly plea him out to at the most, a 3 flat, but more likely probation with a small jail term.
Story is here.
Ocean Township is party central!
What is up with Ocean Township. It seems like every few months, there is a news article about a huge underage drinking bust. Either Ocean Township is the new party central or the Ocean Township police are good out finding out about these parties and busting them.
Summonses were issued to 38 adult partygoers, for violating a township ordinance that prohibits underage alcohol possession on private property.
Possession of certain prescription drugs, 2C:35-24
In New Jersey drug crimes are common, but serious. The attorneys you select to fight for you may be the difference between a great outcome and disaster. Our team of tough, smart attorneys have a long track record of getting great results for our clients. Regardless of the specific drug charge, circumstances or the location of the court, our New Jersey CDS attorneys will fight for you to achieve the results you want for you and your family!
2C:35-24. Possession of certain prescription drugs
A person who possesses a controlled dangerous substance that was prescribed or dispensed lawfully may possess it only in the container in which it was dispensed; except that the person may possess no more than a 10-day supply in other than the original container if the person produces, upon the request of a law enforcement officer, the name and address of the practitioner who prescribed the substance or the pharmacist who dispensed it. A person who violates this section is a disorderly person.
From Newark to Trenton, Jersey City to Atlantic City, our CDS Possession and Drug Distribution defense lawyers will fight for you in any court in New Jersey. With eight offices in New Jersey, our team of tough, smart criminal defense lawyers are easy to reach from anywhere in New Jersey. Call us today to begin the fight against your charges!
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 2C:36-2
In New Jersey drug crimes are common, but serious. The attorneys you select to fight for you may be the difference between a great outcome and disaster. Our team of tough, smart attorneys have a long track record of getting great results for our clients. Regardless of the specific drug charge, circumstances or the location of the court, our New Jersey CDS attorneys will fight for you to achieve the results you want for you and your family!
2C:36-2. Use or possession with intent to use, disorderly persons offense
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or to possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog in violation of the provisions of chapter 35 of this title. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. L. 1987, c. 106, s. 2. 2C:36-3. Distribute, dispense or possession with intent to distribute or manufacture, crime of fourth degree It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or dispense, or possess with intent to distribute or dispense, or manufacture with intent to distribute or dispense, drug paraphernalia, knowing that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog in violation of the provisions of chapter 35 of this title. Any person who violates this section commits a crime of the fourth degree. L. 1987, c. 106, s. 2.
From Newark to Trenton, Jersey City to Atlantic City, our CDS Possession and Drug Distribution defense lawyers will fight for you in any court in New Jersey. With offices in New Jersey, our team of tough, smart criminal defense lawyers are easy to reach from anywhere in New Jersey. Call us today to begin the fight against your charges!
Delivering drug paraphernalia to person under 18 years of age, 2C:36-5
In New Jersey drug crimes are common, but serious. The attorneys you select to fight for you may be the difference between a great outcome and disaster. Our team of tough, smart attorneys have a long track record of getting great results for our clients. Regardless of the specific drug charge, circumstances or the location of the court, our New Jersey CDS attorneys will fight for you to achieve the results you want for you and your family!
2C:36-5. Delivering drug paraphernalia to person under 18 years of age, crime of third degree Any person 18 years of age or over who violates N.J.S. 2C:36-3 by delivering drug paraphernalia to a person under 18 years of age commits a crime of the third degree.
From Newark to Trenton, Jersey City to Atlantic City, our CDS Possession and Drug Distribution defense lawyers will fight for you in any court in New Jersey. With eight offices in New Jersey, our team of tough, smart criminal defense lawyers are easy to reach from anywhere in New Jersey. Call us today to begin the fight against your charges!
Tonacchio Law LC 