MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker officially sworn in Sean Verbist as Detective for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, on June 13.

He has been assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts and Administration Division.

Prior to joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Detective Verbist served as a Police officer for the Montclair Police Department, a Police Officer for the Randolph Police Department, and a Police Dispatcher for Montclair Township.

He has also served as a Park Ranger for Paramus, Substitute Security Person/Custodian for the Rockaway Township Public Schools, Camp Counselor for Paramus, and a Volunteer Police Reserve Officer for Paramus.

Detective Verbist has attended Ramapo College of New Jersey, Bergen Community College (BCC), and Montclair State University (MSU), earning an Associate’s Degree from BCC in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree from MSU in Justice Studies.

In addition, he is a graduate of the Morris County Police Academy and has completed several professional training courses. Prosecutor Carroll said, “The addition of Detective Verbist to our ranks is the continuation of our plan to staff the office with personnel who bring a wide array of talent and experience, and we welcome him to our team.”

MORRIS COUNTY — There is still time to register for the Market Street Mission 5K Race for Recovery! If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July, join the 5K Race or 2-mile Freedom Walk! Click here to sign up.

The race will be held in person on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the Central Park of Morris County. Participants will enjoy a great event with tech tees, chip timing, refreshments, awards, prizes, and family fun (with a free race and other activities for kids, too)! The race will be over before noon, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy other holiday festivities.

If you are more comfortable celebrating from home, or if the race is a bit too far away, we are also offering a virtual option over the course of the Fourth of July weekend where participants can run from anywhere in the world!

A big part of the work at the Mission is our addiction recovery Life Change Program for men. Each year around the Fourth of July, while we celebrate our country’s freedom, we also host this race to celebrate freedom from addiction. It is a powerful time for people to gather together to support the Mission and honor loved ones who have fought the battle against substance abuse.

If you are looking for a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend while also supporting the work of the Mission, come run with the Mission!

Click here to watch a recap of last year’s race to see the fun they have in store!

Established in 1889, the Market Street Mission is an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, substance abuse, hunger, and homelessness in northern and central New Jersey. As a private non-profit we rely on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide more than 110,000 meals and 30,000 nights of shelter per year across our three locations. For more information on our emergency services, free addiction recovery program, community counseling services, and thrift store please visit us at www.marketstreet.org.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, and Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone announce the arrest of a resident from Landing.

On Wednesday, June 8, 2022, law enforcement received information that led to the investigation and arrest of Erik Vandevelde, 33, at his residence in Landing.

During a search of that location, officers recovered the following items:
(2) .45 caliber handguns
(4) Assault Firearms
(2) Rifles
(2) 12 Gauge Shotguns
(1) .357 Magnum Revolver
(1) 5.7x 28MM Pistol
(2) Air Rifles
Over 100,000 rounds of ammunition and 100 high-capacity magazines

Mr. Vandevelde was charged with the following crimes:
– 1 count of third-degree Receiving Stolen Property in violation of 2C:20-7
– 14 counts of second-degree Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons in violation of 2C:39-7(b)1
– 4 counts of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Assault Firearm) in violation of 2C:39-5(f)
– 1 count of fourth-degree Prohibited Devices (High-Capacity Magazines) in violation of 2C:39-3(j)
– 1 count of 4th degree Certain Person Not to Have Ammunition in violation of 2C:39-7(a)
– 1 count of second-degree Possession of Firearms While Committing Certain Drug Crimes in violation of 2C:39-4.1(a)
– 1 count first-degree Possession With Intent to Distribute LSD in violation of 2C:35-5(b)(8)
– 1 count of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (LSD) in violation of 2C:35-10a(1)
– 1 count of Disorderly Persons Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Psilocybin Mushrooms) in violation of 2C:35-10a(5);
– 1 count of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Ketamine), in violation of 2C:35-10a(1)
– 1 count of fourth-degree possession of over 6 ounces of Marijuana in violation of 2C:35-10(a)3(b)

Prosecutor Carroll, Chief Kimker, and Chief Adone commend all law enforcement personnel, including U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives members, who assisted and responded to the subject’s Roxbury residence and safely conduct a thorough and detailed investigation. Prosecutor Carroll specifically commended the involved agencies for their professionalism and tactical coordination that resulted in the seizure of these illegal and lethal firearms.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the 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 — United Way of Northern New Jersey is pleased to announce three new members to its Board of Trustees: Suzanne Brown, Jan Brown Helgeson, and Hima Raju.

A program manager at the New York Stock Exchange, Brown oversees the company’s environmental, social, and governance efforts. She also leads the NYSE Board Advisory Council, which connects diverse candidates with companies seeking new board members.

As a managing director at Deloitte, Helgeson oversees leadership hiring. During her nearly 20-year career with Deloitte and her work at previous companies, she has gained broad experience working with multinational clients to transform and support their global mobility programs.

Along with her new role as a board member, Helgeson has also been involved with United Way as chair of the United Way Women United steering committee. She was also recently named to the Women United Global Leadership Council of United Way Worldwide.

Raju is the Director of Product Innovation and Application Development at Johnson & Johnson. There, she supports data strategies and technology capabilities growth that help businesses generate insights that allow them to move from opinion-based to evidence-based decision-making quickly and safely.

“I am thrilled our Board of Trustees will include these dynamic and talented leaders who are passionate about serving in their communities,” said United Way CEO Kiran Handa Gaudioso. “With the help of our entire board, we can make greater strides in impacting the lives of families we call ALICE and those in poverty who are struggling to afford the basics.”
For more information about United Way of Northern New Jersey click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, the Honorable Stuart A. Minkowitz, and Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll celebrated the one-year anniversary of Community Connections.

A ceremony was held today at the Morris County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room in Morristown to celebrate the milestone. Guest speakers included Sheriff Gannon, Morris-Sussex Vicinage Assignment Judge Minkowitz, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez, Vicinage Chief Probation Officer Michael Lasko, and Community Connections Coordinator Officer Justin Sudol.

Working with the New Jersey Administrative Office of Courts, the innovative Community Connections program is the first of its kind to connect court-involved individuals to an array of services.

Community Connections links individuals to recovery support, mental health services, and social services. Serving as a pilot program for the State of New Jersey, the program has already proven to be successful in connecting over 80 individuals to life-changing services.

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Successful Transition and Re-Entry Program (STAR), the New Jersey Administrative Office of Courts, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office are successfully working together to provide support to court-involved individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders.

The Mental Health Association (MHA) and Prevention are Key’s Center for Addiction, Recovery, Education & Success (CARES) and also are essential partners in providing these life-saving resources.

Court-involved individuals who want to contact the program can fill out the online referral form on the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Community Connections web page or by simply scanning the QR code on the Community Connections brochure.

Click here for more information regarding Community Connections.

MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, legislation that would help lower costs at the grocery store, reduce gas prices, strengthen food supply chains, and increase competition in the American meat industry.

“My number one priority in Congress is to bring down costs and make life more affordable for New Jersey families,” said Rep. Sherrill. “Right now, COVID-related inflation and disruptions in our supply chain, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are raising prices on the goods Americans buy and need every day. This bill targets key problems the oil and food industries are facing and addresses them head-on. We know Americans need relief from the effects of global inflation, and it’s our job to deliver. I urge the Senate to pass this critical legislation as quickly as possible.”

The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act would help lower prices at the pump by:
Expanding U.S. biofuels investments and giving consumers the choice to purchase fuels that are cheaper than standard gasoline;

Deploying additional storage and dispensing equipment to increase the availability of higher ethanol blends and other biofuels, which are more affordable and can reduce the price of a gallon of gas by 10 cents or more; and

Moving forward with the voluntary year-round sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol — known as E-15 or Unleaded 88.

• This legislation would also help lower the cost of groceries and strengthen support for America’s agriculture industry by:
• Increasing competition and combatting consolidation in the American meat industry;
• Reducing input costs for fertilizer and improving access to precision agriculture practices;
• Rebalancing the U.S. cattle market and leveling the playing field for small and medium-sized meat processors;
• Providing new assistance to specialty and row crop producers who undertake USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service practice standards; and
• Creating an Agricultural and Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response Task Force at USDA.

Beyond this bill, Rep. Sherrill has also worked on many efforts to address the current supply chain and inflation crises affecting NJ-11. She has co-sponsored legislation to strengthen the manufacturing supply chain and establish a Critical Supply Chains Commission and has called for legislative action to ease supply chain bottlenecks and urged the Department of Labor to prioritize training for truck drivers. Rep. Sherrill is a member of the Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone, and Wharton Police Chief David Young announce the drownings of two persons at the Mine Hill Beach.

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 5:23 p.m., Morris County EMS was in the parking lot of Mine Hill Beach, 100 Green Road in Mine Hill.

EMS personnel were approached by a group who stated that two individuals went into the water at the sand pits and never came out. The subjects were identified as 17 and 22-year-old Hispanic males.

Morris County EMS immediately contacted the Morris County Communications Center to alert police, fire, and EMS, and an immediate search of the area was conducted that was met with negative results.

The following agencies were immediately deployed to the area: Wharton Police Department; Mine Hill Fire Department; Morris County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit; Morris County Prosecutors Office; Morris County Office of Emergency Management; Roxbury Police Department; and Randolph Police Department. An intensive search of the lake area where the subjects were last seen was immediately commenced using divers from responding police and EMS personnel, however, the search was complicated due to tangled vegetation below the water surface.

After hours of searching, one body recovered, and a second body recovered. Additional identifying information is pending further investigation and notification to family members, and will not be released at this time.

The following agencies assisted in the search: Roxbury Fire Department; Parsippany Rescue and Recovery; Picatinny Arsenal Fire Department; Boonton Fire Department; Rockaway Fire Department; East Hanover Fire PD; Bergen County Search and Rescue; Saint Clare’s EMS; Morris County EMS; Rockaway First Aid; Lyndhurst Fire Department/Dive Team; Wallington Fire Department/Dive Team; Ringwood Fire Department/Dive Team; Mahwah Fire Department/Dive Team; NJSP North Star Helicopter; Wykoff Fire Department/Dive Team; and Oradell Fire Department/Dive Team.