MORRIS COUNTY –Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson, and Morris Township Police Chief Robert Shearer confirmed the sentencing of Lizandro Osorio-Mejia, 20, in connection with an aggravated sexual assault and robbery that occurred on May 3, 2022 in Morristown on the Traction Line Recreation Trail.

On August 19, 2024, Osorio-Mejia pled guilty to one count of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, one count of first-degree Robbery, and one count of third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

On December 6, 2024, the Honorable Claudia Jones, J.S.C. imposed a sentence of ten (10) years in New Jersey State Prison, with eight years and six months of parole ineligibility. Defendant was also sentenced subject to the No Early Release Act, and Parole Supervision for Life. Upon release, Osorio-Mejia will be subject to Megan’s Law and is not to have any contact with the victim.

Osorio-Mejia was arrested following an investigation into the May 3, 2022 incident on the Traction Line Recreation Trail in Morristown. Two males, Osorio-Mejia and a juvenile, approached the female victim and asked for money. When the female victim did not provide money, Osorio-Mejia pushed the victim to the ground and sexually assaulted her while the juvenile male watch stood nearby. Osorio-Mejia was armed with a rock at the time of the assault. Thereafter, both suspects fled the area. Both suspects were unknown to the victim.
Osorio-Mejia was subsequently arrested and charged, along with the juvenile male, on May 6, 2022. He has been in custody since his arrest.
The juvenile involved in the incident, now identified as Kenneth Barios Aviles, previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Theft, an offense that would constitute a crime of the third degree if committed by an adult. On December 18, 2023, the Honorable Michael P. Wright, J.S.C. imposed an 18 month probationary disposition, with credit for time-served (40 days), and no contact with victim.

Members of the Morristown Police Department, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit contributed to the successful prosecution of the case.

DENVILLE – On Thursday evening, November 21, Edwin A. Sanchez-Laos, a 42-year-old resident of Rockaway, was arrested by the Denville Township Police Department after officers found him unresponsive in his vehicle, blocking a driveway on Second Avenue. The incident led to multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated (DWI), reckless driving, and open container violations.

At approximately 6:12 p.m., a 9-1-1 call reported a black Hyundai obstructing a driveway. According to the complainant, attempts to wake the driver were unsuccessful. Officers Vincent Fischer and Matthew Santangelo responded to the scene and discovered the vehicle, a 2012 Hyundai with a New Jersey registration, still running. Sanchez-Laos was found asleep in the driver’s seat.

Upon initial contact, officers noted an overwhelming odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Officer Fischer engaged Sanchez-Laos in conversation, during which he admitted to consuming “one and a half to two glasses of wine” at a Parsippany restaurant. Despite this, he could not recall the name of the establishment or explain why he had parked illegally on Second Avenue. Observations of bloodshot eyes, glassy appearance, and difficulty staying awake further raised suspicions of intoxication.

Sanchez-Laos was asked to exit the vehicle to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). The results revealed multiple indicators of impairment, including lack of coordination and difficulty following instructions. A Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, walk-and-turn test, and one-leg stand test were administered, with Sanchez-Laos showing signs consistent with alcohol intoxication.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed an open bottle of Santa Maria Pinot Grigio wine in the front passenger seat. Sanchez-Laos was placed under arrest and transported to the Town of Boonton Police Department due to equipment issues at the Denville station. There, he provided two breath samples, both registering a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.12%, above the legal limit of 0.08%.

The following charges were issued:

• Driving While Intoxicated (NJS 39:4-50)
• Reckless Driving (NJS 39:4-96)
• Careless Driving (NJS 39:4-97)
• Open Container of Alcohol in Vehicle (NJS 39:4-51B)
• Improper Parking in Front of Driveway (NJS 39:4-138D)
• Failure to Possess Driver Registration (NJS 39:3-29B)
• Failure to Possess an Insurance Card (NJS 39:3-29C)
• Delaying Traffic (NJS 39:4-56)

Sanchez-Laos was processed at Denville Police Headquarters and released to a responsible party under John’s Law, which requires intoxicated drivers to be released only to a sober adult.

He is scheduled to appear in Denville Municipal Court on December 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

MORRIS COUNTY — A painter’s van caught fire on Route 10 in Randolph near Denville, just past the Mount Pleasant Turnpike, according to the Denville Police Department. The driver had pulled over after noticing smoke and went into a nearby business to seek help, according to Officer Welsch. A passerby spotted the vehicle engulfed in flames and called 911. The incident occurred on Thursday, December 5.

When a Denville police officer arrived at the scene, the van was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters from Denville and Randolph responded promptly and extinguished the fire. “We arrived to see plumes of black smoke billowing, with the first two officers already directing traffic,” Welsch said. “About ten minutes after we were stopped, the van exploded.”

Budnik added that additional police and ambulance crews arrived shortly before the fire trucks and a tow truck. “Once the firefighters began spraying water, the smoke shifted from black to white and grey,” a witness reported.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

   MORRIS COUNTY —   Theatergoers seeking an evening of laugh-out-loud humor and clever surprises are invited to see Mark Shanahan’s “The Dingdong” at County College of Morris (CCM). This fresh, uproarious adaptation of Georges Feydeau’s classic farce, Le Dindon, retains all the witty chaos of the original while bringing contemporary flair and comedic twists to the stage. Performances are being held Thursday through Saturday, December 12-14, at 7:30 p.m. each evening and tickets are on sale now. 

The storyline revolves around a tangled web of lovers navigating seduction and revenge. Vatelin (Collin Eagen – Livingston) is a faithful husband – mostly. Lucy (Carolina Hunchak–Denville) is a faithful wife – kind of. Their fidelity is put to the test when suitors and femmes fatales invade their little world. See the misadventures of one madcap night in a Parisian hotel and how opening the wrong door in the dark of night leads to an evening of mayhem and laughter. 

“What a fun, festive and frolic production,” said Director Michele Danna, of the Marielaine Mammon School of Music, Performing Arts and Music Technologies at CCM. “Even before the first line is spoken, this play takes off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up until the final bow. It may seem like just a ridiculous day in the life of this crew of silly characters, but what is truly at the heart of this show is love – and so many slamming doors. 

Members of the cast include Ethan Abellard – Rockaway (Policeman #1); Matthew Budesheim – Butler (Redillon); Sebastian Cedeno – Mine Hill (Hotel Guest); Jayden Cohen – Mount Tabor (Hotel Guest); Elijah Cooke – Belvidere (Dr. Pinchard/Caroler); Madison Dunn – Belvidere (Passerby); Kyri Fletcher – Parsippany (Mme. Pinchard); Elizabeth Grant – Wayne (Fabiola); Hyron Gonzalez Jr. – Mount Olive (Pontegnac); Mark Hladyk – Parsippany (Policeman #2); Sarah Kolpa – Rockaway (French Maid/Caroler); Georgina Lopez  – Morristown (Mme. Pontegrac); Diane Luba – Rockaway (Hotel Guest); Brianna Lugo – Long Valley (Passerby/Caroler); Gwendolyn Rivera – Parsippany (Soldignac); Kathryn Sanders – Long Valley (Passerby); Summer Signorile – Boonton (Mandy); Cristie Ventura Cedeno – Hackettstown (Passerby); Justice Vera – Mount Olive (Bellboy/Caroler). 

“It has been such a joy working with our talented students,” said Danna. “As we head into the holiday season, we cannot wait to celebrate this tale of laughter and romance with you! Come on in!” 

General admission tickets are $15.00 each and tickets for CCM students, alumni, children under 12 and seniors 62 and over are $10.00 each. To purchase tickets click here. Performances will be held in CCM’s Dragonetti Auditorium, located in the Student Community Center, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph. Visitors can park in Lot 7. 

To learn more about the Marielaine Mammon School of Music, Performing Arts and Music Technologies at CCM, click here.