County Prosecutor

June 6 A 16-year-old male from Newton was indicted by a grand jury and charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree attempted aggravated assault, second-degree burglary, third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree possession of a weapon fur unlawful purpose, third-degree endangering an injured victim, and two counts of third-degree hindering apprehension. The matter was investigated by the Newton Police Dept. and Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the N.J. State Police and Sussex County Sheriff’s Dept. The Family Division of the Superior Court waived jurisdiction over the matter on February and referred the case to Adult Criminal Court. The accused remains lodged in lieu of $600,000 (no 10 percent) bail. Arraignment before the Superior Court in Newton will be within the next six weeks. June 9 James Dicataldo, 28, of Newton, was sentenced to three years probation and must serve 30 days on SLAP, pay various fines, penalties and restitution. Dicataldo pleaded guilty on April 12 to third-degree theft by deception. Between Feb. 1, 2003 and Aug. 1, 2003, in Andover, he and a co-defendant created a fictitious company within the company he was working for, purchased parts in the name of the fictitious company, but never received shipments for the products purchased. A 17-year-old male from Hopatcong was sentenced to a two-year suspended sentence to the Juvenile Justice Commission, three years probation, 100 hours community service and no contact with the victim or any co-defendants. He must also attend school every day, follow home rules, submit a DNA sample, enroll and successfully complete the ADP program, cooperate with the state and testify truthfully against his co-defendants and pay restitution totaling $699.52. On May 10, he attempted to slash the tires of a 15-year-old’s bicycle. He then caused damage to the bicycle and subsequently called the victim in an attempt to have the charges dropped. The youth pleaded guilty on June 8 to third-degree witness tampering, third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court.