Serrano was sentenced to eight years for possession with the intent to sell heroin within 500 feet of public housing. He was also sentenced to five years for possession with the intent to sell crack cocaine, five years for possession with the intent to sell cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property, and five years for possession of a stolen vehicle. The sentences will run concurrently. Serrano must serve four years in New Jersey State Prison before he is eligible for parole.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Donato D’Angelo, on June 14, 2018, Newark Police were alerted that Serrano was selling drugs from his apartment. After securing a search warrant for the location, officers entered the apartment and recovered 114 vials of crack cocaine from the kitchen and bedroom.

During his guilty plea on May 8, Serrano also admitted to being in possession of 45 decks of heroin with the intent to sell within 500 feet of Wynona Lipman Gardens, 24 vials of cocaine with the intent to sell within 1,000 feet of Franklin Elementary School, and possession of a stolen 2008 Hyundai Sonata.

“This defendant put kids, families, and entire neighborhoods at a significant risk of harm by selling dangerous drugs throughout the Newark area. I applaud the Newark Police for keeping our community members safe as their law enforcement efforts have literally saved people’s lives,” said Assistant Prosecutor D’Angelo.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Woody Armand, 44, of Bloomfield of unlawful possession of a handgun, trafficking in personal information, forgery, and unlawful possession of heroin and oxycodone, following a trial before the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Peter A. Wojcik, who prosecuted the case, on Nov. 4, 2018, officers of the Bloomfield Police Department, as well as agents of the United States Postal Service, executed a search warrant at Armand’s Bloomfield apartment.

There, officers found multiple debit cards that did not belong to Armand, as well as multiple checks on which Armand was neither the issuer nor the payee. Additionally, officers found 37 decks of heroin, two oxycodone pills, printing equipment, and over 1,000 blank checks. A .40 Smith and Wesson handgun was also found hidden behind a painting in the stairwell.

At trial, testimony was introduced to show Armand was printing fraudulent checks at his residence. These checks would then be deposited in a willing participant’s bank account. The funds would later be withdrawn and split with individuals who were cooperating with the illegal scheme.

Following a three-day trial and three days of jury deliberations, the jury found Armand guilty on all counts.

Armand has eight prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, credit card theft, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property. He also has a federal conviction for conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2019.

Because of his criminal history, Armand is eligible for an extended term of imprisonment, which could mean up to 30 years in state prison with 10 years of parole ineligibility. He also faces two additional indictments.

“We thank the officers of the Bloomfield Police Department for their tireless efforts and dedication to the investigation and prosecution of this case. We also thank the jury for their patience and service in this rather lengthy trial,” said Assistant Prosecutor Wojcik.

“Hopefully this sends a strong message to everyone involved in similar fraudulent schemes: you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted,” Assistant Prosecutor Wojcik added.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today Kenneth Daniels, 32, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for being a leader in a narcotics distribution network.

In July, Daniels and two other men, Levell Burnett, 41, and Barry Berry, 37, both of Newark, were convicted by an Essex County jury of being leaders of a narcotics trafficking network, following a trial before the Honorable John Zunic, Judge of the Superior Court.

Today Judge Zunic sentenced Daniels to a life plus ten years with a mandatory 30 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. On Sept. 21, Berry received the same sentence of life plus ten years in prison with 30 years parole ineligibility.

Burnett has not yet been sentenced, but he also faces a life sentence with a mandatory 25 years in prison.
All three were convicted of being leaders of a narcotics network. Daniels and Berry were also convicted for weapons offenses related to illegally possessed firearms.
Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Brian Riehl, said the three men conspired to lead a heroin trafficking ring in Newark and Orange, from March through December 2015.
“Given their extensive criminal histories and the scope of the criminal network they were convicted of leading, the life sentences are appropriate. These men employed young men to sell heroin for them throughout Essex County and used violence to maintain discipline within their organization,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Wells.
Daniels’ sentencing today represents his eighth indictable conviction. Berry’s sentencing on September 21, 2018, represented his seventh indictable conviction. Burnett has nine prior indictable convictions, and remains pending sentencing for this, his tenth conviction.

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Ramon Vega, 58, of Newark was sentenced to 32 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court.

In December 2017 Vegas and Aldalberto Garcia, 27, also of Newark, were convicted of 17 counts of conspiracy, drug possession and distribution.

The charges arise from an investigation that ended on Aug, 23, 2016 when Essex County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Narcotics Detectives executed a search warrant a location in the 200 block of Clifton Avenue and arrested Vega and Garcia, according to Assistant Prosecutor John Anderson, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Sean Dickson.

A 30-count indictment was returned on Oct. 14, 2016 charging Vega and Garcia with conspiracy, multiple counts of possession of narcotics, including ecstasy, oxycodone, tramadol, Xanax, cocaine and marijuana. They were also charged with possessing narcotics with intent to distribute within 1,000 of a school and possession and distribution within 1,000 feet of a public housing complex.
On Dec. 18, 2017 an Essex County jury convicted them on 17 counts.
Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced in October. Vega, who was sentenced yesterday, must serve 16 years before he is eligible for parole. Garcia faces 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced.
“The sentence is appropriate given his prior record and the fact that this was a substantial narcotics distribution network operating in the North Ward of Newark. This defendant supplied low level drug dealers,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Dickson.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that nine people were charged and more than $100,000 in cash and drugs were seized after warrants were executed in East Orange, Newark and Irvington.

A total of $114,497 was seized. Approximately 33 grams of cocaine with an approximate street value of $870 and 43.4 grams of heroin valued at $1,332 were seized.

Those arrested include:

Altariq Wagner, 30, of Irvington was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, hindering and distribution within 1,000 feet of public housing.

Dyshir Gray, 26, of Newark was arrested charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of public housing, conspiracy, fleeing, resisting arrest, possession of heroin, possession of heroin within 500 feet of public housing and selling to an undercover detective within 1,000 feet of a school.

John Durant Jr., 43, of East Orange was arrested and charged with distribution of heroin to an undercover detective, distribution of heroin to an undercover detective within 1,000 feet of a school and distribution of heroin to an undercover detective within 500 feet of public housing.

Darryl Burger, 57, of East Orange was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and possession with intent to distribute.

Walter Lowery, 50, of East Orange was arrested and charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin within 500 feet of public housing, possession with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin within 1000 feet of a public school, distribution of heroin to an undercover detective, distribution of heroin to an undercover detective within 500 feet of public housing and distribution of heroin to an undercover detective within 1000 feet of a public school.

Rashon Peterson, 34, of Newark was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and contempt.

Darlene Burger, 51, of East Orange was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and possession of heroin with the intent to distribute

Anthony Harris, 48, of Newark was arrested and charged with failure to turn over a controlled dangerous substance to a law enforcement officer.

Khasif Parrish, 34, of Newark was arrested and charged with distribution of heroin to an undercover detective within 500 ft. of public property and distribution of heroin to an undercover detective within 1000 feet of a public school.

Michael Jones, 34, of Newark, who remains at large, has been charged with distribution of cocaine to an undercover detective, distribution of cocaine to an undercover detective within 500 feet of public property and distribution of cocaine to an undercover detective within 1000 feet of a public school.

The investigation and arrests were carried out with the assistance of the Newark, East Orange and Irvington Police Departments.

Comedian Artie Lange Sentenced to Probation for Possession of Heroin

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that comedian Artie Lange, 50, of Hoboken was sentenced to probation by the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court, after pleading guilty to possession of heroin.

Back in December 2017, Lange pled guilty to possession of 81 decks of heroin. The plea agreement called for a probationary term but was also supposed to include drug treatment.

Today, Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez, who is handling the case, urged the judge to force Lange into a residential treatment program, noting that during the plea Lange indicated he was going to residential treatment in Georgia but never did.

“This defendant is his own worst enemy. He is not doing the right thing to help himself. He needs court-mandated drug treatment for 18 months to two years — not outpatient treatment,’’ said Gutierrez, adding he feared Lange would end up violating probation or even dead if he is not court-ordered into a residential treatment program.

Judge Sivilli placed him on probation for four years, ordered him into outpatient drug treatment, mandatory drug screening, imposed fines and required him to perform 50 hours of community service. If he fails to live up to the terms of the probation, he could be incarcerated for five years.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Adalberto Garcia, 27, and Ramon Vega, 58, both of Newark, on 17 counts of conspiracy, drug possession and distribution following a five-day trial before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court.

According to Assistant Prosecutor John Anderson, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Sean Dickson, on Aug, 23, 2016, Vega and Garcia were arrested in the 200 block of Clifton Avenue after Essex County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Narcotics Detectives executed a search warrant at that location following an investigation.

“Thanks to the efforts of the Bureau of Narcotics, these two men will no longer be putting dangerous drugs on the streets,” stated John Anderson

On Oct. 14, 2016, an Essex County grand jury returned a 30-count indictment charging Vega and Garcia with conspiracy, multiple counts of possession of narcotics, including ecstasy, oxycodone, tramadol, Xanax, cocaine and marijuana. They were also charged with possessing narcotics with intent to distribute within 1,000 of a school and possession and distribution within 1,000 feet of a public housing complex.

“It is clear that the defendants were not only selling narcotics to drug users, but also sold to low level drug dealers. This was a substantial operation that distributed narcotics to the entire North Ward of Newark, New Jersey,” stated Assistant Prosecutor Sean Dickson.

On Dec. 18, an Essex County jury convicted them on 17 counts.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2018.

Both men face, who have one prior conviction, face 20 years to life in prison.

Orange Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Drugs and Gun

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Michael Ford, 28, of Orange was sentenced to eight years in New Jersey State Prison today by the Honorable Richard T. Sules, Judge of the Superior Court.

Ford was sentenced to eight years for unlawful possession of a weapon. He was also sentenced to 4 years for possession of cocaine and 18 months for resisting arrest. The sentences will run concurrently. He must serve four years in New Jersey State Prison before he is eligible for parole.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Casey B. Breslow, who tried the case, on April 29, Orange Police were alerted that Ford was in possession of a handgun in the vicinity of Hickory and Taylor Streets.

When they responded to the location, the officers attempted to stop Ford but he ran through several backyards and tossed a semi-automatic handgun over a fence in the 100 block of Chapman Street. When he was apprehended, Ford was in possession of 20 Ziploc backs of crack cocaine and a .380 caliber Smith and Wesson.

On Oct. 27, an Essex County jury found him guilty of 2nd degree unlawful possession of a weapon, 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and 4th degree resisting arrest by flight.

As an adult, Ford has been arrested eight times. This is his second felony conviction as an adult.

Assistant Prosecutor Breslow said, “This case was successfully prosecuted because of the hard work of Detectives Greenfield, Mooney, Stefanelli, and Johnson.’’

Montclair Man Sentenced to 50 years for Killing Villanova Student

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Carolyn Wright, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Ernest Williams, 24, of Montclair, to 50 years in New Jersey State Prison for killing Villanova student Brian Schiavetti, 21, of Ridgefield, Connecticut.

On Nov. 2 Williams was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter, felony murder, robbery, weapons offenses and conspiracy to distribute drugs for fatally shooting Schiavetti on July 22, 2012 in the hallway of a senior apartment building in Montclair. Williams was acquitted of murder.

At trial, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Naazneen Khan, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Oliveira, argued that Williams, an admitted drug dealer, lured Schiavetti to New Jersey to rob him. Schiavetti and his friend Connor Gore, came to New Jersey to purchase oxycodone pills. Schiavetti was introduced to Williams by Williams’s co-defendant, James Pitts, Jr., the son of Essex County undersheriff James Pitts.

Pitts and Schiavetti met while they were attending Villanova University. Pitts lived a few doors down from Williams and had known him for about eight years at the time of the homicide.

Pitts testified for the state and was sentenced to one year in county jail for his role.

Today, Judge Wright sentenced Williams to 50 years. Under the No Early Release Act, Williams must serve 85 percent of his sentence, 42 years and six months, before he is eligible for parole.

In imposing sentence Wright noted that while Williams had no felony convictions as an adult, he had been arrested five times as a juvenile and been allowed to enter diversion programs. From the time he turned 18 years old in August 2009 until the time of the Schiavetti’s death in 2012, Williams was arrested 14 more times and was found guilty of disorderly persons offenses in municipal court on six occasions.

Williams has already served 1,237 in jail. He will receive credit for that time.

“This is truly a tragic case. On July 22, 2012 when Ernest Williams killed Brian Schiavetti over $400, he ended the life of a promising young man and destroyed his own life as well,” said Khan. “Brian Schiavetti made a huge mistake coming to Montclair looking to buy drugs but he should not have had to pay for that with his life.’’

East Orange Police Officer and Two Others Indicted

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a 21-count indictment charging East Orange Police Officer Rajheher Massenburg, 35, of East Orange, with official misconduct and conspiracy to distribute narcotics following a joint investigation by the East Orange Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

In addition to Massenburg, Andrew Jones, 38, of East Orange, and Wendy Rhea, 48, were also indicted for conspiracy to distribute narcotics, multiple counts of distribution of cocaine, and distribution of cocaine within 500 feet of a public park. Jones lives with Massenburg and is the father of her children.

The indictment alleges that on eight different occasions from October to December of 2013 undercover detectives purchased narcotics from Jones who operated out of, and stored narcotics in Massenburg’s North Maple Avenue home in East Orange, according to Assistant Prosecutor Adam Wells, who presented the case to the Grand Jury.

A raid on the home led to the recovery of a quantity of crack cocaine packaged for distribution, and paraphernalia indicating that cocaine was being packaged on the property among other items. Jones is in the Essex County Jail on $100,000 bond. Rhea is also being held at the Essex County Jail on $75,000 bond.  Massenburg is not in custody yet.

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed to be innocent until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.