County Prosecutor

December 1 Michael Gardi, age 23, of Lafayette, was sentenced to 15 months in state prison, which is to run consecutive to a state prison term he is currently serving. He must pay fines and penalties of $205 and submit a DNA sample. He pled guilty on Oct. 30 to aggravated assault. Dec. 5, 2004, while incarcerated in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge, he stabbed another inmate with a pencil. Robert H. White, Jr., age 35 of Montague, was sentenced to 5 years New Jersey State Prison. He pled guilty on Oct. 23, to arson and burglary. White had set a fire at 599 Sleepy Hollow Road in Montague on April 9, and burglarized a home at 609B Sleep Hollow Road, Montague. A juvenile, age 15, of Hampton, was sentenced to 3 years probation with 50 days detention (credit for 17 days). Conditions of probation are to attend school daily, follow home and school rules, submit a DNA sample, random drug testing, continue counseling, 200 hours of community service, no paintball, no use of any type of weapon, pay restitution to the victims and have no contact with the victims or co-defendant. The juvenile was found guilty on Nov. 30, of possession of a weapon and two counts of criminal mischief. This juvenile, along with a juvenile co-defendant, shot a pellet gun at a house and a vehicle, causing damage to property. A juvenile, age 16, of Andover, was sentenced to two years probation on condition that he/she serve 10 days in the Juvenile Detention Center, loss of license for six months, restitution to victims, 60 hours of community service, submit DNA sample, have no contact with co-defendants or victims, write letters of apology to victims, random drug testing, attend school and follow home and school rules. The juvenile pled guilty on Nov. 30, to Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Criminal Mischief. He/She was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. Between December 2005 and March 2006, this juvenile, along with several others, damaged property in Green Township and Lake Tranquility Country Club. The juvenile also committed burglary by entering Sofia’s Deli when it was not open to the public. Deccember 4 Ranea DiBenedetto, age 30, of Franklin, pled guilty to possession of cocaine. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 2. She admitted to possessing a small amount of cocaine in Franklin on May 12. The matter was investigated by Franklin Police Officer Leo Kinney. DiBenedetto was represented by Steven Insley, Esq. and the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Reed. Diana Haydacka, age 39, of Newton, pled guilty to Theft, a third degree crime, Sentencing is scheduled for January. Hayducka took prescription drugs from the purse of the victim, Vincent R. Speziale, age 49, of Sussex, pled guilty to aggravated assault. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2007. On Sept. 21 in Frankford Township, an argument took place between two baseball team members and escalated to the defendant striking the other player in the arm with a bat. Patrick Mara, age 23. of Hopaptcong, pled guilty to two counts of cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 2, 2007. He admitted to possessing small amounts of cocaine on August 2 and October 2 in Hopatcong. Both matters were investigated by Hopatcong Police Officer David Kraus. December 5 A juvenile pled guilty to burglary. He/she was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, age 14, of Montague, was sentenced to 18 months probation on condition that he/she serve five days in the juvenile detention center, complete 20 hours of community service, have no contact with the victim(s) or any co-defendants, attend school daily and follow home and school rules, submit a DNA sample, drug testing and restitution. In August of 2006, the juvenile, along with co-defendants, entered the home of the victim without permission and took various items. December 7 The Sussex County Grand Jury handed up two indictments against Roy League, age 42, formerly of Newton and Andover Township. The first charges him with failing to comply with Megan’s Law by failing to re-register a change of address with the Newton Police. He is also indicted for one count of violating the conditions of a special sentence of Community Supervision for Life having been convicted of a sex offense requiring it. The second charges him with failing to comply with Megan’s Law by failing to re-register a change of address with the Andover Police. Parole Officer Ryan Andreson of the Department of Corrections investigated both cases. An indictment is a charge only. The defendant is presumed innocent until guilt may be proved at trial. An indictment charges Peter G. Murray, age 50, of Lake Hopatcong, with criminal simulation. The case was investigated by Officer Marc Rubino of the Sparta Township Police Department. The Grand Jury alleges that on Aug. 23, 2005, the defendant, after being stopped for driving in an erratic manner on Route 181 in Sparta Township, gave false documentation to the officers who made the stop. A Grand Jury indictment is a charge only. The defendant is presumed innocent until guilt may be proved at a jury trial. An indictment charges Gregory Babcock, age 55, of Hamburg with unlawful possession of a firearm as an individual having previously been convicted of the domestic violence offense of simple assault. The case was investigated by Hamburg Police Department. An indictment is a charge only. The defendant is presumed innocent until guilt may be proved at trial. An indictment charges Aaron McPleasant, age 19, of Newark, with failing to comply with Megan’s Law by failing to re-register a change of address with the Franklin Police. The case was investigated by Sgt. Donald Peter and Det. Jason Garrigan of the Prosecutor’s Office. A Grand Jury indictment is a charge only.