MORRIS COUNTY – The Hazel Project, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need, is calling on community members to volunteer for an upcoming event. On Saturday, October 19th, The Hazel Project will host an Organizing Party at the Montville United Methodist Church located at 29 Whitehall Road. Volunteers will assist with sorting, folding, and organizing donated clothing items.

The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the organization is seeking adult volunteers as well as middle school and high school students who are eager to make a difference. This is an excellent opportunity for students to earn community service hours while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Neil Sullivan, a representative from The Hazel Project, emphasizes the importance of volunteers in making the event a success. “With the colder months approaching, the demand for donated clothing is growing. We have received generous contributions from the community, but now we need help organizing the donations so we can distribute them efficiently to those in need,” said Sullivan.

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible by contacting neil.sullivan@thehazelprojecthr.org. The event promises to be a rewarding experience for those who wish to give back to the community and support individuals and families in need.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Montville Township Police Chief Andrew Caggiano confirmed the sentencing of Juan A. Fernandez, 61, of Towaco.

On June 19, Fernandez pled guilty to one count of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(1).

On October 4, the Honorable Ralph Amirata, J.S.C., imposed a sentence of 16 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 16 years of parole ineligibility.

Defendant was also sentenced subject to the No Early Release Act, and Parole Supervision for Life. Upon release, Fernandez will be subject to Megan’s Law and is not to have any contact with the victim or his family. The last five years of the sentence will be spent at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

The defendant performed multiple sexual acts on a juvenile male victim from the time the victim was six years old until he was sixteen years old. The investigation began in March of 2024.

Prosecutor Carroll recognizes the Montville Township Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, who worked jointly on this investigation.

PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally confirmed that a member of the support staff team, Michael Sanford, has been hired as a Detective for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

A swearing-in ceremony was held on Monday, October 7.

Detective Sanford will be assigned to the Professional Standards, Insurance Fraud, and Financial Crimes Units within the Specialized Crimes Division. He will attend the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in the winter.

Detective Sanford initially joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in April 2023 as a support staff member, assisting detectives in the Financial Crimes and Professional Standards Units with investigations, preparing case files, drafting correspondence for municipal police departments, and ensuring accurate case dispositions.

He previously worked as a superintendent helper, Sarbanes-Oxley audit intern, tax preparer, and shift supervisor. Detective Sanford has also served as captain of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District #6 since 2016.

Detective Sanford graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Accounting and from the County College of Morris with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “I am proud to promote a hard-working member of our team to an investigative role.”