MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker announce that on Wednesday, June 12, a Morris County jury found Aldophus Mims, 42, of Charlotte, North Carolina, guilty of four counts of first degree Human Trafficking, three counts first degree Promoting Prostitution, two counts second degree Sexual Assault, one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and two counts third degree Distribution of Heroin. This was the first Human Trafficking of a Minor trial in Morris County history.

The Honorable Donald G. Collester, J.S.C., retired and acting on recall, presided over the trial, and will sentence Mims at a later date to be determined.

Mims was subsequently remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending sentencing. At sentencing, he faces a minimum of twenty years New Jersey State Prison without possibility of parole to potential consecutive Life Sentences.  He will also be subject to registration pursuant to Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life.

The crimes themselves occurred over a one week span in June of 2015, when Mr. Mims provided heroin to two juvenile females, then aged 15 and 17, and enticed them to engage in acts of  prostitution at a Rockaway Township hotel. Mr. Mims would then collect the money received after the sexual acts were completed. The 15-year old victim also disclosed that Mr. Mims engaged in sexual acts with her. Mims then transported the victims to a different hotel in Parsippany to have them continue to engage in acts of prostitution.

At trial, the defendant alleged that he had in fact provided drugs, engaged in sexual acts and encouraged the prostitution of two females, but claimed that the women he was talking about were different then the two juvenile victims.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Tuesday, June 11, the IRS issued final regulations prohibiting governments from doling out tax credits in exchange for charitable contributions – effectively negating the legislation advanced in the spring of 2018, despite the objections of legislators such as Senator Pennacchio, who warned that the IRS would take action.

“Democrats need to stop making promises they can’t keep,” Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) said. “There is a reason why we didn’t see scores of municipalities jump at the chance to take advantage of this scheme to get around the removal of the SALT cap. It was clear from the beginning that the IRS wouldn’t allow it, which is why I spoke out in opposition.

“If we really want to cut property taxes, then we need to pass the fiscal reforms necessary to get our State budget back on track – and stop trying to circumvent the federal government.”

State and local tax (SALT) deductions previously provided American families and retirees about $100 billion in property relief.

“Many have stated that New Jersey was hit especially hard by the SALT cap repeal, but our property tax crisis is years in the making,” Senator Pennacchio added. “I hope that we can work together on a bipartisan basis to develop real solutions, instead of fighting with the federal government and giving our hardworking families false options and false hope. Let’s get to work and cut high taxes now.”

MORRIS PLAINS — Chick-fil-A was packed with friends, family, diginatories and many other Chick-fil-A owners to help Drew Blind celebrate the new Chick-fil-A in Morris Plains. Everyone is invited to the official ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 13 at 8:00 a.m. where Morris Plains Mayor Jason Karr and members of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce will cut the ribbon.

Chick-fil-A officially opens on Thursday, June 13 at 6:30 a.m. with the famous “Chick-fil-A® First 100® Red Carpet Rollout Giveaway.”

Registration for the wristbands starts at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 13. The prize drawing will happen at 7:00 a.m. Qualified entrants must live in one of the select zip codes surrounding Morris Plains, must be a legal U.S resident age 18 or older and must produce valid photo identification from a government agency. For contest details and eligible Zip Codes click here.

Chick-Fil-A has selected Drew Blind as the local franchise owner of the chain’s Morris Plains restaurant and they hired 125 new Team Members.

Drew, 34,  grew up in East Hanover and currently resides in Morris Plains with his wife, Colleen and two daughters. He graduated Hanover Park High School and Lock Haven University. He was the former owner of Chick-Fil-A in the Garden State Plaza.

Blind is excited to return to his hometown where numerous family members reside and where his Chick-Fil-A career began. A Team Member at the chain’s location in Howell, Blind worked at Chick-Fil-A as a teen and during breaks while attending college at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.

The new restaurant is located at 1711 Route 10 East, Briarcliff Commons Shopping Center, Morris Plains and is open Monday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Chick-fil-A Morris Plains VIP Party

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