County Prosecutor

January 16 Mohammed Elazab, age 29, of Hamburg, entered a guilty plea to an accusation charging him with fourth degree contempt. Elazab admitted to the court that on or about Nov. 19, 2006, he had violated a Final Restraining Order entered against him under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Patrolman R. Kulawiak of the Vemon Township Police Department investigated the case. Elazab is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2. David Washer, age 22, of Newton, pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of cocaine. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 2. He admitted that on Nov. 7, 2006, in Newton, he possessed two vials of cocaine. The matter was investigated by Newton Police Sergeant Michael Monaco. Shannon Heath, age 32, of Sussex, pled guilty to the third degree crime of obtaining a controlled dangerous substance by fraud. She is scheduled for sentencing on March 2. She admitted to obtaining hydrocodone by calling the Eckerd Pharmacy in Hamburg on Feb. 2, 2006 and representing herself to be a doctor’s office. The matter was investigated by Hamburg Police Officer Paul DeMott. Martha Fendt, age 22, of Sparta, pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of heroin, the disorderly persons offense of possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and driving while intoxicated. She is scheduled for sentencing on March 2. She admitted that in Sparta on Nov. 20, 2006, she was driving while her license was suspended and that she was in possession of a cut straw used to inhale heroin. That matter was investigated by Sparta Police Officer Richard Smith. She also admitted that on Nov. 25, 2006, in Sparta, she was stopped at a DWI check point, found to be driving while intoxicated while under the influence of drugs and found to be in possession of six bags of heroin. That matter was investigated by Sparta Detective Marc Rubino. Timothy Wamback, age 32, of Hamburg, pled guilty to the third degree crime of possession of cocaine, the disorderly persons offense of hindering the apprehension of himself and to driving while suspended. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 6. He admitted that upon being stopped for a motor vehicle violation by Hamburg Police Officer David McNulty on Nov. 30, 2006, he gave a false name in order to avoid having it discovered that his license was suspended and that he also possessed a bag of cocaine. Andrew Darezzi, age 51, of Franklin, pled guilty to Shoplifting, a third degree crime. Sentencing is scheduled for March 2. He admitted to shoplifting a 32-inch television valued at $902. January 18 A juvenile pled guilty to third degree criminal mischief. He/She was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the court. The juvenile, age 14, of Sparta, was sentenced to 12 months probation with 20 days detention, suspended. He/she must also attend school every day, follow all home/school rules, pay restitution of $465 to the victim, submit DNA sample, undergo random drug testing, write a letter of apology to the victim, and pay court fines. The juvenile committed 3rd degree criminal mischief by setting fire to leaves on top of a vehicle causing damage to the vehicle. January 19 Lisa A. Sylvester, age 27, of Mine Hill, N.J., was sentenced to three years of probation with credit for 46 days served. Comply with all recommendations of DYFS and any recommendations in their CEC evaluation and undergo a parenting skills course. Fines and costs are in the amount of $155. At various times in and between the months of May and July 2006 the defendant left a child under the age of 16 alone without proper food or utilities and failed to protect the physical and moral well being of the child. Douglas C. Owen, age 45, of Lafayette, was sentenced to five years State Prison and was given credit for four days served. He must pay restitution to several victims, pay total fines and penalties of $155 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on Aug. 30, 2006 to receiving stolen property, a 2nd degree crime. On Dec. 16, 2005, detectives from the New Jersey State Police conducted a search at the home of the defendant and found several types of trailers containing various items on the property. In a subsequent interview Owen admitted to police that he had stolen the trailers. Robert P. Meola, age 19, of Vernon, was sentenced to nine months State Prison to run concurrent to a sentence he is presently serving in Passaic County. He was given credit for 41days served. He must pay total fines and penalties of $280 and submit a DNA sample at his expense. He pled guilty on July 10, 2006, to two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, both 4th degree crimes. On Nov. 13, 2005 in Vernon, police responded to a loud noise complaint involving Meola and three other males. He was found to be in possession of a dagger inside his jacket pocket. On Jan. 18, 2006, also in Vernon, police responded to a trespassing complaint and found Meola inside the residence of the complainant, again in possession of a dagger. John B. Bishop, age 41, of Vernon, was sentenced to three years non-custodial probation, non-Megan’s Law, no contact with victim and no unsupervised contact with minors under 16 (not to include his children or family members). Must undergo a psychosexual evaluation and follow all recommendations. Fines and costs are in the amount of $155. On Jan. 31, 2005 the defendant met the victim who was less than 18 years of age in Essex County and brought her back to Vernon and solicited her to engage in sexual activity for money. January 22 Betsy Craig, age 52, of Franklin, pled guilty to burglary, a third degree crime, and theft, a fourth degree crime. Sentencing is scheduled for March 16. She admitted that she entered a car and stole a cell phone and purse.