MORRIS COUNTY — Tourne County Park and trails reopened on Thursday, June 28.

“We ask that dog owners respect their fellow park patrons and the wildlife that call the park home and follow park commission rules and regulations by keeping dogs on a leash,” said park officials.

The park closed after a report of a black bear displaying aggressive behavior towards park patrons, announced park officials. A bear came within a few feet of patrons in two cases. There was also an incident between a park patron and a bear protecting its three cubs, said authorities.

For more information on what to do when encountering a bear, visit the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife website by clicking here.

Tourne County Park is at McCaffrey Lane and Old Boonton Road in Denville.

DENVILLE — A man from New York faces charges after being accused of driving a vehicle with stolen license plates in Denville Township.

On June 25, an officer noticed a vehicle on Route 46 with a loud exhaust and a cracked windshield, which were violations. Before pulling over the vehicle, the officer checked the license plate and discovered that it had been reported stolen in New York City. Additionally, the driver was observed making an unsafe lane change.

Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver was identified as Anthony Santiago, a 40-year-old resident of the Bronx. Police also noticed an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.

Santiago was arrested and charged with various offenses, including receiving stolen property, having a noisy muffler, careless driving, using fictitious license plates, driving without a license, and possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was released with a pending court appearance.

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

Dover — Helen “Elena” Pennella, 95, Dover, passed June 23, at Visiting Nurses Association of Northern New Jersey Hospice, at Dover General Hospital.

Helen was an active volunteer in the community having served on the local shade tree commission where she was instrumental in having Dover named a “Tree City” USA.

She was a member of the Dover Recreation Commission and was responsible for the cherry trees planted in Hurd Park. There is a cherry tree planted in that park with a plaque that states “Helen Pennella, Dover’s Ambassador to Trees”.

She was a long time member of the Dover Public Library Board and served for a time as its chairperson. She led the “Friends of the Library” which conducted the “Reading is Fundamental” program.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Christopher Schellhorn, Chief Assistant Prosecutor of the Tactical Division, has been installed as President of the Morris County Bar Foundation. Formerly having held the positions of Secretary and Vice President of the Morris County Bar Association, Schellhorn was installed to the position of President during the Morris County Bar Association’s Installation & Awards Dinner on June 15 held at the Brooklake Country Club.

The Morris County Bar Foundation was established in 1990 to serve as the charitable affiliate of the Morris County Bar Association.

Prosecutor Robert Carroll said, “I congratulate CAP Schellhorn on this well-deserved honor. CAP Schellhorn embodies the integrity of the law profession and is committed to the administration of justice. The Foundation is in good hands under this leadership.”
Morris County First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood said, “We are extremely proud that Chief Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn has been appointed to this leadership role with the Morris County Bar Association Foundation. He has served the County of Morris with distinction for several years and is an extremely talented and dedicated attorney.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Morris County Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Washington Township Police Chief Jeffrey Almer confirm the arrest of John Green, 65, of Washington Township, in connection with maintaining a peer-to-peer child abuse network, and possession of child sex abuse material.

The defendant has been charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Maintaining a Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Program of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)), a first degree offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B(5)(a)(iii), and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Possession of CSAM), a second degree offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B(5)(b)(ii).

The investigation began when the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit identified possible CSAM on a BitTorrent site in Morris County. BitTorrent is a Peer-to-Peer file sharing network. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office referred this information to the Morris County Prosecutor’s ICAC Task Force of the Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit.

Further investigation revealed numerous media files, each depicting the alleged sexual exploitation or abuse of a minor, stored on the BitTorrent site. The investigation further revealed that these were accessible for download. It is alleged the BitTorrent was associated with the defendant’s residence, where he lives alone. A search of defendant’s electronic devices revealed additional items of suspected CSAM on his computer. An initial review revealed in excess of 1,000 items of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Defendant was arrested on the above charges on June 2. Following his arrest, on June 19, he was detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility, pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act. First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood would like to acknowledge the Hunterdon and Warren County Prosecutor’s Offices, the New Jersey State Police, Washington Township Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their efforts in this investigation.

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MORRIS COUNTY — Sheriff James M. Gannon was honored by the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (NJNEOA). The award was presented at NJNEOA’s annual awards luncheon at the Caesar’s Hotel in Atlantic City on Thursday, June 15.

Sheriff Gannon was honored for his keen intent and sharp focus on combating the opioid epidemic. His recognition and accomplishments have come through the effective utilization of manpower and support programs such as the innovative HOPE One initiative.

The NJNEOA also honored Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll as Prosecutor of the Year.