Sussec County Prosecutor's Office
Aug. 12
An Indictment charges Christopher Key, 49, of Budd lake, with Count One, Lewdness, by exposing his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of himself or another person when he knew or reasonably expected that was likely to be observed by a child who is less than 13 years of age and where he was at least four years older than the child, a crime of the Fourth Degree.
The matter was investigated by the Newton Township Police Department. The case was presented to the grand jury by Assistant Prosecutor Seana Pappas. Arraignment before the Superior Court in Newton will be within the next six weeks.
Sept. 25
An Indictment charges Thomas K. Zoschak, 61, of Dingmans Ferry, Pa., with, Count One, operating a vehicle and knowingly involved in an accident and knowingly left the scene of said accident which resulted in serious bodily injury to Vivian Hill, a crime of the Third Degree, Count Two, leaving the scene of an accident in which he was the operator of a motor vehicle knowingly involved in an accident resulting in the death of Cary Mattos, a crime of the Second Degree, Count Three, endangered an injured victim by causing bodily injury to Vivian Hill and leaving the scene of the injury knowing that Vivian Hill was physically helpless, mentally incapacitated and otherwise unable to care for herself, a crime of the Third Degree, Count Four, endangered an injured victim by causing bodily injury to Cary Mattos and leaving the scene of the injury, knowing or reasonably believing that the injured person is physically helpless, mentally incapacitated or otherwise unable to care for herself, a crime of the Third Degree. Count Five, hindered his own detention, investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction or punishment for an offense or violation of Title 39 by driving to his home in Pennsylvania and remaining there overnight after killing Cary Mattos and injuring Vivian Hill with his motor vehicle to suppress evidence which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or the lodging of charges against him, a crime of the Third Degree. The indictment is according to the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The case was presented to the Grand Jury by Assistant Prosecutor Seana Pappas. An arraignment before the Superior Court in Newton will be within the next six weeks.
An Indictment charges Elizabeth Sommers, 33, of Newton, with Count One, Aggravated Arson by starting a fire at 75 Mulford Road with the purpose of destroying the apartment of James Roodenburg and/or purposely and knowingly placing the other occupants of the apartment complex in danger of death or bodily injury, a crime of the Second degree, Count Two, Criminal Mischief by purposely and knowingly damaging tangible property of James Roodenburg and the owners and leasors of 75 Mulford Road, thereby causing a loss of $2,000 or more, a crime of the Third Degree.
The matter was investigated by the Andover Township Police Department and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, Sussex County Fire Marshall’s Office and the Andover Township Fire Department and mutual aid agencies.
The case was presented to the grand jury by Assistant Prosecutor Seana Pappas. An arraignment before the Superior Court in Newton will be within the next six weeks.
Oct. 3
Melissa Hardick, 34, of Newton, was sentenced to one year of probation.
She pleaded guilty on July 9, to Aggravated Assault, a third degree crime and Possession of Weapon, a fourth degree crime.
Oct. 6
Ramon L. Torres, 20, of Vernon, New Jersey pleaded guilty to the third degree crime of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5.
He admitted to selling MDMA to an individual cooperating with the Sussex County Narcotics, Guns and Gangs Unit on June 11 in Vernon. The matter was investigated by the Vernon Township Police Department.
Oct. 10
Paul J. Fortunato, 24, of Flanders, was sentenced to two years of probation, 24 days jail credit for time served and $1,195 0 in fines.
He pleaded guilty on Aug. 4 to the third degree crime of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He admitted to possessing heroin during the course of a motor vehicle stop by Hopatcong police on May 17.