Sussex County Prosecutor

Michael Soriano who appeared before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 7. Soriano, 26, of Hillsdale, N.J., was sentenced to five years probation to run coterminous with a drug court sentence in Bergen County. Along with the standard conditions of probation he must also submit a DNA sample and pay $205 in court fines and fees. He pled guilty on Sept. 2, 2012, to Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a crime of the third degree. The defendant was in possession of several folds of heroin when found by Sparta Police, who were responding to a report of a person possibly under the influence at Anderson Farms. Soriano was represented by Thomas Militano, Esq., and the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Brent M. Rafuse.

Daniel Wendt appeared before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 7. Wendt, 30, of Boonton, N.J., was sentenced to three years of probation with conditions to mimic drug court and time served. He was given credit for 343 days in jail. His driver license was suspended for 90 days, and he was ordered to pay fines and fees totaling $1,744. He pled guilty on June 20, to Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a third degree crime. The defendant was in possession of Oxycodone on Oct. 26, 2020, in Sparta Township. Wendt was represented by Michael DeMarco, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Donald F. Cox Jr.

Damien S. Stefancik appeared before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 6. Stefancik, 34, of Hewitt, N.J., was sentenced to three years New Jersey State Prison. He must also not have any contact with the victim, register for Megan’s law, and he will be under parole supervision for life. He pled guilty on Dec. 16, 2020, to Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a crime of the third degree. The defendant engaged in sexual conduct with a minor over an online video chat and social media. Stefancik was represented by Alissa Hascup, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Brent M. Rafuse.

Carl Lewis appeared before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 7. Lewis, 61, of Shawnee, Pa., was sentenced to two years non-custodial probation. He also has to complete 100 hours of community service, maintain employment, complete a TASC and mental health evaluation, submit a DNA sample, pay fines totaling $280 including a $25 monthly probation supervision fee and comply with any and all recommendations. He pled guilty on July 28, to Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud, a crime of the third degree and a Disorderly Persons charge of Theft. The defendant admitted to conspiring with two co-defendants to commit insurance fraud. Lewis removed a vehicle from one of their homes so the co-defendant could file a stolen vehicle claim with his insurance company. Lewis was represented by John C. Grey, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Sally Anne Monkemeier.

Rachel Pier appeared before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 8. Pier, 42 of Hamburg, N.J.m was sentenced to 30 days in the Morris County Correctional Facility and her probation was terminated. Pier was ordered to provide a DNA sample and pay fines and fees totaling $155. She pled guilty on August 30, to Theft, a fourth degree crime, and to a violation of her existing period of probation. The defendant took a cell phone left at a Hardyston business on June 4. Pier was represented by Shaun Russell, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Donald F. Cox Jr.

Josue Pagan entered a guilty plea to an accusation before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 7. Pagan, 33, of Newton, N.J., pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a crime of the third degree. Sentencing is presently scheduled for Nov. 18 before Judge Gaus. The defendant admitted to being in possession of Cocaine when stopped by Andover Police for a motor vehicle violation. The defendant was represented by Thomas F. Militano, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Sally Anne Monkemeier.

Blaise Wiget appeared before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 8. Wiget, 32, of Succasunna, N.J., was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison for one count of Burglary, one count of Theft, and one count of Possession of a Controlled and Dangerous Substance, which all occurred in Franklin Borough, N.J., on Feb. 6. The sentence was ordered to run concurrent to a Morris County, N.J., sentence. Additionally, Wiget was given 243 days of jail credit, ordered to pay all fines and fees and restitution in the amount of $9,701. He pled guilty on May 4, to one count of Burglary, one count of Theft and one count of Possession of a Controlled and Dangerous Substance. The defendant was represented by Thomas Militano, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Laura L. Nazzaro.

Michael Morgan pled guilty to an accusation before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 12. Morgan, 25, of Beach Lake, Pa., pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a crime of the third degree. Sentencing is presently scheduled for Dec. 2 before Judge Gaus. The defendant admitted to being in possession of heroin, a controlled dangerous substance, when a motor vehicle stop was conducted. The defendant was represented by Bruce C. Farrier ,Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Sally Anne Monkemeier.

Catrina Jackson entered a guilty plea to an accusation and complaints before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 13. Jackson, 39, of Hopatcong, N.J., pled guilty to Theft, a third degree crime, and Lewdness, Simple Assault and Shoplifting, all disorderly persons offenses. Sentencing is presently anticipated for Dec. 1. In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to taking property from a Sparta resident on June 5, to commission of public sexual activity on June 18 in Newton, to attempting to put another in fear of serious bodily injury through physical menace on June 15 in Newton, and to taking merchandise valued at less than $200 from the Hampton Walmart on Sept. 4. The cases were investigated by DSG Thomas Snyder of the Sparta Township Police Department, Ptl. Garrett Armstrong and Ptl. Steven Kneidl of the Newton Police Department, and Tpr. M.L. Stanziale of the New Jersey State Police. Jackson was represented by Thomas F. Militano, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Donald F. Cox Jr.

Anthony K. Webb appeared before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus on Oct. 14. Webb, 35, of Middletown, N.Y., was sentenced to two years non-custodial probation with credit for 91 days already served. He must complete 15 days of community service, pay $155 in fines, including $2 monthly transaction fee, $5 monthly supervision fee, and restitution totaling $1,826.67. He pled guilty on Sept. 21 to Shoplifting, a crime of the third degree. The defendant admitted to taking items from the Home Depot in Newton. Webb was represented by Matthew Young, Esq., and the state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Sally Anne Monkemeier.