HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer Brandon Law arrested Ms. Stephanie Fowler, 31, Morris Plains, for DWI on Monday, January 16.
Officer Law responded to a single-car motor vehicle accident, and during the investigation, he determined the driver, Ms. Fowler, was under the influence.
She was arrested and transported to Hanover Township Police Headquarters for processing.
She was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, refusal, consumption of both alcohol and marijuana, an open container for alcohol and marijuana, careless and reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and uninsured motor vehicle.
She was released pending her court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MORRIS COUNTY — A volunteer fire captain has been charged with uploading child pornography while at a firehouse in Netcong, officials said. James T. Hess, 49, of the Landing section of Mt. Arlington, was arrested in connection with the distribution and possession of child sex abuse material.
The defendant has been charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)), a second-degree offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B(5)(a)(i), and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Possession of CSAM), a third-degree crime in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4B(5)(b)(iii).
The investigation began with a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) referencing the upload of video files allegedly depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of minors.
The video files were allegedly uploaded to Kik, an internet-based chat application, by the defendant, who is also alleged to have viewed CSAM on Kik. Hess allegedly uploaded CSAM while at the Netcong Volunteer Fire Department, where he is a captain. It is further alleged that the defendant possessed additional images of CSAM on an electronic device. The defendant works for the New Jersey Fireman’s Home.
Hess was arrested on the above charges on December 21, 2022. Following his arrest, he was released pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act with pretrial release conditions that included monitoring and limited internet usage.
He attended Roxbury High School.
Prosecutor Carroll would like to acknowledge the Roxbury 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 the matter, they are asked 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.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MORRIS COUNTY — The alleged intruder at Montville High School on Thursday, February 2, was arrested. Charles Banaciski III, 19, of Bloomfield, has been charged with unlicensed structure entry, a crime of the fourth degree.
Surveillance footage shows an unknown adult male arriving at Montville High School at approximately 6:30 a.m. and walking around the building while wearing a backpack. A school staff member discovered him. The staff member confronted Banaciski, who allegedly claimed to be a student. Upon further questioning, Banaciski excused himself, left the building, and drove away.
The alleged intruder at Montville High School on Thursday, February 2
As a precaution, Montville High School was placed on shelter in place, until the building was cleared by law enforcement and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
A subsequent investigation identified Banaciski as the suspected intruder. He was arrested at his residence in Bloomfield. The investigation remains ongoing.
Questioned about his motives, Banaciski told police he wanted to go to a high school since he had never had such an experience himself, Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Kelly said. Brittany Calzone, the Bloomfield man’s defense attorney, said her client was raised by his grandmother, who had taken him out of high school before graduating.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “Thanks to the diligent investigative work, a swift arrest was carried out by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Montville Township Police Department, and other law enforcement partners. I applaud our law enforcement officers and especially thank the Montville High School employee who followed their gut instinct and questioned the suspicious individual.
During Friday’s hearing, Municipal Court Judge James Sloan questioned why the doors of the school were unlocked at 6:30, stating that it was “disturbing” Banaciski was able to enter the school. The school may need to reassess security measures, he said.
Sloan agreed to release Banaciski from the Morris County jail pending future court hearings under the condition he avoids contact with any schools and abstains from alcohol and drugs. He was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and abide by a 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. curfew to allow him to continue working as a DoorDash delivery driver.
During our recent memorandum of agreement signing and security summit, Morris County school administrators reaffirmed their commitment to the safety of our students and educators through collaboration. This swift arrest results from attentive staff and a rapid report to law enforcement. May this incident remind the public that to keep our schools as secure as they can be, law enforcement also needs the assistance of vigilant community members. It is critical for the public to report any and all suspicious activity.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Montville Police Department at (973) 257-4300, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6300, or Morris County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433. Persons reporting any information to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous. Information on how to leave an anonymous call or text message can be found on the Crime Stoppers Program website by clicking here.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Sgt. Dominic Kaiser arrested Carl Ianiro, 31, West Orange, for burglary. At approximately 2:30 a.m., several town residents from the Birch Hill area called 9-1-1, reporting that someone attempted to break into their homes while they were sleeping on Wednesday, January 11.
The individual, later identified as Mr. Ianiro, was scared away by the residents while attempting to access their homes.
Sgt. Kaiser was responding to the area and observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, driving away from the area. Sgt. Kaiser attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop. However, Mr. Ianiro refused to stop traveling through several neighboring towns.
He eventually lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the side of a building in Livingston.
Mr. Ianiro was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary, Eluding, and two counts of criminal mischief. He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for an unsafe lane change, failure to follow a marked course, carelessness, recklessness, failure to obey the officer’s direction, and speeding.
He was transported to the county jail pending his court date. No injuries occurred, and no items were taken from the residences.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer Josh Williams arrested James Graber, 41, Morris Plains, for possession of drug paraphernalia, on January 10.
Mr. Graber was originally stopped for a motor vehicle violation when the paraphernalia was located.
He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and issued a motor vehicle summons for failure to follow the marked course.
He was released pending his court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Det. Supervisor Matthew Magnone presents an honorary shadowbox to Chief Christoph Kimker, joined by Prosecutor Robert Carroll and First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood.
MORRIS COUNTY — After 18 years of service in law enforcement, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker has announced his retirement. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, and Deputy Chief of Detectives Robert McNally honored Chief Kimker for his exemplary service and expressed their gratitude to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on his last day.
Deputy Chief Robert McNally, Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief Christoph Kimker, and First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood
Members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, municipal police departments, and county officials held a walk-out ceremony for Chief Kimker at the Morris County Administration Building.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “Chris Kimker has been an outstanding Chief of Detectives. My decision to appoint him to that position was based upon a long history of quality investigative work, integrity, and dedication that, by any measure, stands as a high-water mark of police professionalism. The MCPO is a better law enforcement agency because of Chris’ leadership and hard work. The Morris County Chiefs Association often remarked that Chris answered any time of day or night they called – the mark of a caring and dedicated public servant. Equally important, he has been a good man and a loyal friend to all of us and will be sorely missed. We wish him the absolute best in all his future endeavors.”
First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood said, “I have been fortunate to have been a colleague of Chief Kimker’s for almost two decades, but it has been the last two years that I have been truly honored to work beside him in Prosecutor Carroll’s administration. He has positively impacted the men and women of MCPO, and I thank him for all he has done over his long and productive career. I wish him the best in his retirement!”
Sheriff James Gannon said, “I first met Chief Kimker when he started in Morris County in 1992. He was an environmental specialist. We were co-workers when he joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2004. Chris was a Lieutenant when I was elected to my first term as Morris County Sheriff. He is a great investigator and a tremendous leader, but I think his best trait is being a team builder based on his genuineness. The synergetic relationship we enjoy in Morris County between my Office, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Chiefs of Police is in no small way due to Chris’s kind demeanor and professional respect. We will all miss that but hope the next chapter is great, as it has been greatly earned!”
Mendham Township Police Chief Ross Johnson, 2023 President of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association, said, “On behalf of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association and myself, I want to wish Chief Kimker the best in his well-deserved retirement and starting the next chapter in his life. Chief Kimker has been the epitome of professionalism throughout his career and as he has ascended the ranks in the Prosecutor’s Office. I can safely say most every Chief in our Association, including myself, has worked with Chief Kimker at some point in their career and will tell you his dedication and compassion are second to none, along with his quick wit. He will be missed, and we all appreciate everything he has done for the county and assisting our departments.”
Chief Christoph Kimker Biography
Chief Christoph Kimker was raised in Mine Hill. He is an Eagle Scout and graduated from Morris Catholic High School in 1988.
He attended Seton Hall University, graduating in 1992 with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in US History. In 1995, he earned an M.A. in Environmental Management from Montclair State University.
In 1992, Chris was hired by the County of Morris as an Environmental Specialist, where he supervised the Environmental Services Unit. Among other responsibilities, the position included coordinating the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), and the Morris County Hazardous Material Team.
In October 2004, Chris was hired by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a Detective and assigned to the Major Crimes Unit and the Arson / Environmental Crimes Unit. In June 2005, he was assigned to the Specialized Crimes Division with a supplemental assignment to the Arson / Environmental Crimes Unit. In May 2006, he was assigned full-time to the Arson / Environmental Crimes Unit. Between 2010 and 2014, Detective Kimker was assigned to investigate Arson / Environmental Crimes cases and Major Crimes cases.
In June 2013, Detective Kimker was promoted to Detective / Supervisor of the Arson / Environmental Crimes Unit. In June 2014, Detective / Supervisor Kimker was transferred to the Major Crimes Unit.
In February 2015, Detective / Supervisor Kimker was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to the Specialized Crimes Division, where he supervised the Division until August 2016. In August 2016, Sergeant Kimker was transferred to supervise the Major Crimes Unit.
In April 2017, Sergeant Kimker was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to the Specialized Crimes Division.
In August 2018, Lieutenant Kimker was promoted to the rank of Captain in charge of the Specialized Crimes Division and the Family Division.
On April 1, 2019, Captain Kimker was made Acting Chief of Detectives, and on January 24, 2021, he was sworn in as Chief of Detectives.
In addition to his regular assignments, Chief Kimker served as a member of the WMD Assessment Team, previous Team Leader and member of the Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Rapid Deployment Team. He is also an Officer Firearms Instructor. Chief Kimker has completed numerous law enforcement training programs and is a member of several law enforcement organizations.
MORRIS COUNTY — Following on his broad rollout of Republican endorsements from across Morris County, incumbent Republican County Commissioner Tayfun Selen continues to build momentum with the addition of key local endorsements from two of the largest municipalities in a Republican primary: Jefferson and Rockaway Townships. Among the latest endorsements for Selen include the following:
Jefferson Township Council President Melissa Heyboer Senatore
Jefferson Township Councilman Jay Dunham
Jefferson Township Councilman Ron Smith
Jefferson Township Councilman Bob Birmingham
Jefferson Township Councilman Josh Kalish
Jefferson Township Republican Municipal Chair Dan Schultz
Rockaway Township Council President Howard Kritz
Rockaway Township & Municipal Republican Chair Rachael Brookes
Rockaway Township Councilman Jack Quinn
Rockaway Township Councilman Mary Noon
Rockaway Township Councilman Doug Brookes
Rockaway Township Councilman Pawel Wojtowicz
Rockaway Township Councilman Adam Salberg
Selen previously released the endorsements of Township Mayors Eric Wilsusen and Joe Jackson back in November alongside the County Sheriff, six County Commissioners, and over 20 GOP Mayors.
In late December, Selen also announced the endorsement of the entire Parsippany Council and its Municipal GOP Chair after all five Republican Senators announced their endorsement in early December. The Morris County Republican Convention is set for March 4.
“I’m so proud and humbled to have the support of these 13 officials from some of the largest municipalities in Morris County. We’ll continue building on this momentum in the weeks ahead,” said Commissioner Tayfun Selen. “It’s clear the approach we’ve taken on the Board over the last several years – fiscal conservatism, avoiding tax hikes, and investing in our communities – is exactly what voters are looking for, especially as inflation eats away at family budgets. I look forward to continuing that work for taxpayers.”
Selen brings a unique outside business perspective to the Board of Commissioners. After immigrating from Turkey with a degree in architecture in 1996, he pumped gas and worked entry-level jobs before earning an MBA and his CPA license. On the proudest day of his life, he earned his U.S. citizenship in 2008. He went on to manage major corporate real estate operations with over 100 employees and several hundred million dollar budgets. Today, he is an executive with a major vocational education group, which teaches well-paying trade skills as an alternative to a liberal arts education. Selen previously served as Chatham Township Mayor and later filled a vacancy on the Morris County Board of Commissioners in February 2020. His peers selected him in December 2021 to serve as Director of the Morris County Board of Commissioners during the 2022 term.
Market Street Mission Kitchen Manager and Morristown resident Shane McDonald cuts bread at the mission
MORRIS COUNTY — Market Street Mission served 127,013 meals and provided 41,982 nights of safe shelter to its community guests and recovery program residents in 2022, along with the Sussex County location in Newton.
Forty-two men also graduated from the mission’s addiction recovery Life Change Program last year. This program is structured to offer mission residents mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing as they work to rebuild their lives and rejoin their families and communities.
As a private nonprofit organization, the mission relies on the charitable support of compassionate donors to fund its work and be able to offer its services free of charge to our neighbors in need.
“I know everyone in the New Year makes resolutions trying to better themselves, and here at the Mission, we just started a new Life Change Program Class,” said Patrick Tansey, Clinical and Outreach Director at the Market Street Mission and Jersey Shore Rescue Mission.
“The men are going to take classes like Chemical Dependency and Relapse Prevention, Anger Management, Fatherhood and Manhood, Christian Doctrine, Christian Finance, and Career Skills. We are excited to start the New Year and help these men lead sober, Christian lives. We thank everyone for their donations and look forward to bringing more updates this coming year.”
Anyone who needs help or knows someone who does can visit the mission at 9 Market Street, Morristown; call (973) 538-0431 or click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) will conduct four Household Hazardous Waste Disposal events in 2023. The dates are:
Saturday, May 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany
Saturday, June 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany
Saturday, September 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany
Saturday, October 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Pequannock Valley Park, Marvin Road in Pompton Plains
Morris County residents can drop off unwanted hazardous materials from their households. Businesses are not allowed to participate.
Reminder, electronic devices (e-waste) will no longer be accepted at MCMUA one-day household hazardous waste events. The authority advises residents to call (973) 829-8006 for information and to discuss recycling options.
Acceptable materials include: aerosol cans, asbestos, automotive fluids, driveway sealant and roofing tar, fire extinguisher, gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel, household cleaning products, lead acid batteries, button cell batteries, lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries, mercury-containing bulbs, devices, muriatic acid, oil-based paints, stains, lacquers, and varnishes, paint thinners, paint removers and solvents, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, photo chemicals, pool chemicals and propane tanks of 20 pounds or less.
Unacceptable items are: alkaline and carbon zinc batteries, business waste, compressed gas cylinders, containers larger than five gallons, empty containers, explosives, hhw generated outside of Morris County, highly reactive and unstable materials, medical waste, radioactive materials, smoke and carbon monoxide detector, unknown or unlabeled materials, used consumer electronics and water-based paint and latex paint.
For more information, call (973) 829-8006 or click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Imani Glover, 25, missed a second court appearance Monday after an initial absence on January 3, according to a statement from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Both appearances involved “charges relating to controlled dangerous substances, hindering and tampering,” Meghan Knab, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office
Glover, of Morristown, was last seen by a family member in New York in the area of 239 West 15th Street on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, with another female. Glover has ties in East Orange, Irvington, Newark, and Harlem, NY.
Imani Glover
Imani Glover is a 25-year-old Black female, 5 feet 3 inches in height, with brown eyes and black hair weighing approximately 160 lbs. Glover has a tattoo on her left wrist (Shantia) and the back of her neck.
On January 3, 2023, and later on January 30, Glover failed to appear for two scheduled court dates.
On January 8, 2023, Glover’s mother reported her missing to the Morristown Police Department.
The Morristown Police Department, with the assistance of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, has been diligently working on this active missing persons investigation with the assistance of outside agencies, including municipal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies.
Anyone with information regarding Glover’s whereabouts or this investigation is encouraged to contact the Morristown Police Department at (973) 538-2200 or the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Missing Persons Unit On-Call Detective through the Morris County Communications Center at (973) 285-2900. Anyone with information which may be seeking to remain anonymous can contact Morris County Crimestoppers at 1-800- 743-7433.
