TOMS RIVER–JCP&L reported that power has been restored to Green Island after a nearly four hour outage as the result of a truck pulling down wires.     Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy reports that at approximately 10:30 am on Friday, John Smith, 54, of Pleasantville was operating a truck southbound on Bayview Drive  in the Green Island section when it came into contact with overhead wires.
“His truck made contact with overhead utility wires,” Mastronardy said.  ”Those wires then snapped a utility pole causing a power outage and blocking the roadway for over three hours.”

TOMS RIVER–Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the arrest of several individuals as a result of a cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, the South Brunswick Police Department along with other state, county and local law enforcement agencies. The investigation, identified as “Operation Road Runner” began in August of 2012 and culminated on Friday April 5, 2013. Over a four day period beginning Tuesday April 2, 2013, Police executed search warrants in Ocean, Mercer, Essex and Monmouth counties resulting in the arrest of 25 area men and women on various drug, weapons and money laundering charges. Included among the arrestees was a Lavallette Police Dispatcher identified as Kathy Anne Graham age 57 of Toms River as well as an employee of the Manalapan School District identified as Shawn Hannon age 26 of Tinton Falls.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato stated, “Today is just the first the many successful multi-jurisdictional cooperative investigations that the Special Operations Group will be responsible for during my tenure as County Prosecutor. The success of this investigation is a direct result of the cooperation between the federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies that participated in this operation. I am heartened by the dedication of those individuals and agencies that participated.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s New Jersey Division, Robert G. Koval, stated, “This case represents another outstanding victory achieved with the collaboration of law enforcement resources between Ocean County, the South Brunswick Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other state and local law enforcement entities.   The investigation also revealed the ever-increasing domestic use of the US Postal system parcel service to distribute illicit drugs in smaller quantities to numerous destinations, designed to lower transportation expenses, increase frequency of supply distribution, minimize risk, and evade law enforcement authorities.  The collective persistence, diligence, and dedicated law enforcement efforts exhibited by all the participants is exceptionally noteworthy and greatly appreciated by DEA”.

The seven-month long investigation involved the following agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group:

Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division

Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, Asset Forfeiture Unit

United States Postal Inspection Service

South Brunswick Police Department

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit

Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit

Brick Township Police Department K-9 Unit

Brick Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit

Toms River Police Department Emergency Services Unit

Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit

Toms River Police Department Operations Bureau

Lakewood Township Police Emergency Services Unit

Lakewood Township Police Street Crimes Unit

Berkeley Township Police Department

Lacey Township Police Department

Lakehurst Borough Police Department

Ocean County Department of Corrections

Manchester Township Police Department

Barnegat Township Police Department Narcotics Unit

Little Egg Harbor Police Department

Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit

Stafford Township Police Department K-9 Unit

New Jersey State Police Electronic Surveillance Unit

Ocean County Regional S.W.A.T. Team

Ocean County Sheriffs Department K-9 Unit

Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office

West Windsor Police Department

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office

North Caldwell Police Department

This investigation established probable cause to obtain search warrants, which were executed at homes and businesses located in Lakewood, Manchester Township, Toms River, Brick Township, West Windsor (Mercer County), North Caldwell (Essex County), and Tinton Falls (Monmouth County). As a result of the execution of the search warrants law enforcement authorities confiscated over twenty pounds of marijuana, large quantities of MDMA (Ecstasy), prescription pills including Oxycodone, Roxicet, Zanax, Methadone and Suboxone, multiple firearms including a loaded Smith and Wesson 44 Magnum handgun, a loaded 9mm American Tactical pistol, a Weatherby 7 mm rifle, large quantities of L.S.D. and psilocybin mushrooms as well as approximately $91,000 in cash. Police also seized several bank accounts that were found to contain proceeds from this illicit drug network, one of which contained approximately $70,000 in drug proceeds. The investigation regarding the seized bank accounts is continuing and the total amount to be seized from the various banks has yet to be determined. Drug paraphernalia, including packaging and distribution materials as well as electronic scales utilized to weigh CDS were also seized in the raids.

Search Warrants were executed at the following locations during the early morning hours of Tuesday April 2, 2013:

The residence of Jeremy Zahn 10 Commodore Drive Brick NJ

The residence of Mary Zahn 1560 Cabot Avenue, Manchester NJ

J & N Auto and Performance 1561 Route 9 Toms River NJ

The residence of Brian Suzuki 10 Webster Road, Toms River NJ

The residence of Ian Elkins 1916 9^th Avenue, Manchester NJ

The residence of Nicholas Santillo 128 Delaware Trail, Lakewood NJ

The residence of Jacob Prestia 2508 Green View Way, Toms River NJ

The residence of Deven Skyers 22 Cadillac Drive, Toms River NJ

A search of Stephan Regan’s Toms River Auction located at 1561 Route 9, Toms River NJ was also conducted on Tuesday April 2, 2013.

Search Warrants were executed at the following locations during the early morning hours of Wednesday April 3, 2013:

The residence of Joseph Schmidt 604 Green View Way, Toms River NJ

The residence of Michael Battista 72 Mobile Lane, Toms River NJ

The residence of Shawn Hannon and Caitlin E. Dohrenwend 12 Richmond Court, Tinton Falls NJ

A Search Warrant was executed at the following location during the early morning hours of Friday April 5, 2013:

The residence of Joanne K. Murray 25 Wind Ridge Drive, North Caldwell NJ

A search of an alternate address for Joanne K. Murray, specifically 650 Route 23, Wayne NJ was also conducted on Friday April 5, 2013.

Also on Friday April 5, 2013 member’s of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group along with member’s of the Toms River Police Department, Operations Bureau conducted a search of 28 4^th Bay Way, Toms River, the residence of Frank Casulli and Melissa Amos. As a result approximately 1200 prescription pills including Alprazolam (Zanax), Methadone, Anabolic Steroids, quantities of Marijuana, Hashish, two loaded handguns, a rifle along with drug paraphernalia including packaging materials and scales were seized. The current charges for Mr. Casulli and Ms. Amos are detailed below.

The following individuals were arrested as a result of this cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation:

Jeremy Zahn age 25 of 10 Commodore Drive Brick NJ:  Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), Conspiracy to commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering) and Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Zahn at $500,000 cash.

Mary Zahn age 51 of 1560 Cabot Avenue, Manchester NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Zahn at $50,000 no ten percent.

Miguel Serrano Jr. age 21 of 10 Commodore Drive Brick NJ:  Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana and Conspiracy to commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Serrano Jr. at $100,000 no ten percent.

Bryan Suzuki age 21 of 10 Webster Road Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams, Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and Possession of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) with Intent to Distribute.  The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Brian Suzuki Jr. at $100,000 no ten percent.

Christian Suzuki age 22 of 10 Webster Road Toms River NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Christian Suzuki was released on a summons.

Richard M. Rodriguez age 22 of 10 Webster Road Toms River NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Richard Rodriguez was released on a summons.

Ian Elkins age 23 of 1916 9^th Avenue, Manchester NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Elkins at $50,000 no ten percent.

Matthew C. Humbert age 28 of 1916 9^th Avenue, Manchester NJ: Possession of Anabolic Steroids.  Matthew C. Humbert was released on a summons.

Jonathan A. Watts age 28 of 1916 9^th Avenue, Manchester NJ: Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jonathan A. Watts was released on a summons.

Nicholas Santillo age 22 of 128 Delaware Trail, Lakewood NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Santillo at $50,000 no ten percent.

Jacob Prestia age 29 of 2508 Green View Way, Toms River NJ:  Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Conspiracy to commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), Possession of Anabolic Steroids, Possession of marijuana with Intent to distribute and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Serrano Jr. at $150,000 no ten percent.

Jenny Thompson age 25 of 53 Butterfly Road, Jackson NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Jenny Thompson was released on a summons.

Stephen P. Regan age 46 of 24 Oak Leaf Lane, Toms River NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams but less than five pounds with Intent to Distribute. Stephan Regan was released on a summons.

Deven Skyers age 19 of 22 Cadillac Drive, Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Skyers at $75,000 no ten percent.

Joseph Schmidt age 26 of 604 Green View Way, Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials and Digital Scales). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Schmidt at $50,000 no ten percent.

Michael Battista age 28 of 72 Mobile Lane, Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of

Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms, Possession of MDMA (Ecstasy), Possession of MDMA (Ecstasy) with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Hashish. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Battista at $50,000 no ten percent.

Caitlin E. Dohrenwend age 26 of 12 Richmond Court, Tinton Falls NJ: Possession of CDS (30 Oxycodones and 1 Suboxone), Possession of CDS (30 Oxycodones) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Ms. Dohreenwend was released on a summons.

Shawn Hannon age 26 of 12 Richmond Court, Tinton Falls, NJ: Possession of CDS (30 Oxycodones and 1 Suboxone), Possession of CDS (30 Oxycodones) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug paraphernalia. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Hannon at $35,000 with the ten percent option.

Michael E. Boggess age 28 of 145 New Egypt/Cookstown Road, Cookstown NJ: Possession of CDS (Oxycodone).  Mr. Boggess was released on a summons.

Tyler Sargent age 21 of 41 Sixth Avenue, Seaside Park NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Sargent at $50,000 no ten percent.

William Thomas age 27 of 256 Cherry Quay Road, Brick NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Thomas at $50,000 no ten percent.

Kellee Graham age 28 of 57 of 1404 King George Lane Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Graham at $75,000 no ten percent.

Kathy Anne Graham age 57 of 1404 King George Lane, Toms River NJ: Hindering the detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction and/or punishment of Jeremy Zahn and others by warning Kelle Graham, Jeremy Zahn and others of impending apprehension by law enforcement in connection of crimes of the second degree or greater.

The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Kathy Anne Graham at $35,000 with the ten percent option.

Melissa Amos age 22 of 28 4^th Bay Way, Toms River NJ: Possession of CDS (Alprazolam), Possession of CDS (Alprazolam) with intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to distribute, Possession of a firearm specifically a loaded Smith and Wesson .44 Caliber Handgun and a loaded 9mm American Tactical Handgun while committing a CDS offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials and a Scale). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Ms. Amos at $100,000 cash.

Frank Casulli age 25 of 28 4^th Bay Way, Toms River NJ: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds of Marijuana, Possession of CDS (Alprazolam), Possession of CDS (Alprazolam) with intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to distribute, Possession of a firearm specifically a loaded Smith and Wesson .44 Caliber Handgun and a loaded 9mm American Tactical Handgun while committing a CDS offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials and a Scale). The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Casulli at $35,000 no ten percent for the Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over five pounds charge. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Casulli at $100,000 cash for the remaining charges.

As a result of this investigation 15 vehicles were identified as being utilized by the listed participants of this drug distribution network to facilitate their drug distribution activities. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operation Group along with members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division Asset Forfeiture Unit seized the following vehicles, all of which are now pending forfeiture proceedings:

Tyler Sargent – 2010 White Jeep Wrangler

Tyler Sargent – 2009 Blue Nissan 370

Jacob Prestia – 2008 Black Audi A4

Jeremy Zahn- 2001 Gray Audi A4

Jeremy Zahn- 2007 Blue Audi RS4

Jeremy Zahn- 2004 Red/Black CVR (Motorcycle)

Ian Elkins – 2010 Black Audi A4

Ian Elkins – 2008 White Audi A4

Ian Elkins – 2010 White Jetta

Nicholas Santillo – 2010 Black VW GTI

Joseph Schmidt – 2004 Gold Lincoln Aviator

Deven Skyers – 2001 Black Jeep Grand Cherokee

Michael Battista – 2010 Silver VW Jetta

Miguel Serrano Jr. – 1998 Black Ford Mustang GT

Frank Casulli – 2005 Gray Hyundai Sonata

This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected.

TOMS RIVER–On December 21st, members from Jackson’s various fire companies and Volunteer EMS service delivered hundreds of presents to children of displaced fire department volunteers of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company.   The idea was the brainchild of Jackson Mills Fire Chief  Robert Haskins.  Haskins said he had the idea while serving on a New Jersey State Police security detail in Seaside Heights in the days after Hurricane Sandy.  He contacted fellow Jackson firefighter Chris Aldrich of the Whitesville Volunteer Fire Company and the two organized a massive toy drive.   On the night before the delivery, volunteers from Jackson wrapped all the gifts for the children.    The next day, Santa arrived on board a helicopter owned by Patrick Day of Liberty Helicopters and delivered the toys to the children.

In Brick, prolonged storm surge, severe flooding, downed trees, mounds of sand on streets, and widespread power outages lasted three weeks or more and caused major health and safety issues in Brick Township. Town offices were closed for a week and the Brick Township Municipal Authorities experienced a disruption of service to all 26 sewer pumping stations it runs.

The Township of Freehold was reimbursed for its use of cross-department personnel – police, public works, and sewage plant – as well as purchases and rented material costs associated with emergency protective measures taken in response to Hurricane Sandy, including patrol of the community, securing evacuated areas, and conducting rescues, among other duties.

The recipient local governments, total project cost, and FEMA reimbursement totals are as follows:

• Township of Brick.  The total cost of the emergency protective measures is $1.9 million. FEMA’s share of the cost is $1.4 million.
• Brick Township Municipal Authorities.  The total cost of the emergency protective measures is $3.5 million. FEMA’s share of the cost is $2.6 million.
• Township Of Freehold.  The total cost of the emergency protective measures is $1.37 million. FEMA’s share of the cost is $1.03 million.

Public Assistance reimburses local and county governments and certain nonprofit organizations for eligible disaster-related costs including emergency protective measures, debris removal and public infrastructure repair or replacement costs.

Photo: Seaside Heights bay side damage after Hurricane Sandy. Photo by Phil Stilton.

By Christa Riddle

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the viciously bruised and battered Jersey Shore faces the arduous task of putting life back together again, one family and one building at a time, a true testament to the well-known adage, Jersey Strong.  Sandy’s wrath of murderous winds and ripping tides stripped away treasured landmarks by the dozen, ferociously gobbling up entire boats, buildings, boardwalks, bridges, amusement parks, and family homes, then spitting them out into unrecognizable splatterings of splintered, weathered wood hundreds of feet from where they originally stood.  With widespread evacuations and roads closed to access, washed away and angrily blockaded by insurmountable mountains of transplanted sand, many could not comprehend the full magnitude of Sandy’s devastation to the area or even to their own personal property; we could only imagine.

Although we still face many unknowns weeks later, with seemingly endless tasks of clean up and reconstruction looming ahead, helicopter pilot Patrick Day, vice president of charter and aircraft management at Liberty Helicopters, managed to find a silver lining, a sentiment shared by many:  “This tragedy has brought us together.  I have gotten to meet neighbors I had never met before, to witness the entire community coming together at centers and shelters,” shares Day.  “A third of our community has been displaced, yet we are united, hopeful, and strong.”  Day, a Jersey Shore native, recalls his own childhood memories at the shore, sorry that Sandy cut short his own four children’s Jersey Shore summers of fun.

“The Wednesday after the storm, I went up in my helicopter with a camera, taking pictures.  The devastation was absolutely unbelievable.  I kept taking pictures, then posted them on Facebook to give perspective to the devastation,” tells Day. After, he met with an overwhelming response from people who were thankful for the pictures.  “The pictures helped to quell a little bit of their uncertainty. Some people were able to see their immediate areas, their homes, familiar areas for the first time,” says Day.

Once in the air, Day also witnessed the dedicated first responders working amidst a sea of perils: downed wires, masses of rubble, collapsing buildings. He then offered aerial views of specific areas to first responders so they could assess situations and damage and properly prepare before deploying to help. Some of those using the aerial view shots included the Silverton Fire Department, Emergency Management, and the Seaside Park Police Department.

The Facebook pictures, threaded together with personal comments and reactions to tell a community-wide story from multiple perspectives, are able to be viewed on both Patrick Day’s page and the Ocean County Police Blotter page. Pictures date back to the first few days after Hurricane Sandy, and new pictures are still being posted. Day plans to also chronicle the reconstruction of the Jersey Shore, taking pictures from the sky as the community comes back to life.

Day and his helicopter have been serving as an extension of the U.S. Coast Guard as well, providing assistance to manage the gas and oil spills from destroyed marinas. Since many of his regular helicopter charters involve celebrities, he has tapped into these relationships to garner support for the Jersey Shore and its state of devastation.  Famous athletes and actors, such as Mark Sanchez, Todd Frazier, the cast of the Jersey Shore, Tom Cruise, and Russell Crowe, have gone up with Day, even flying with first responders to see the destruction and loss first-hand. “Once you see the damage, you can’t help but get involved,” comments Day.

Photos:  Pat Day photographing over the Barnegat Bay. Photo by Phil Stilton;  Major League Baseball player Todd Frazier, of Toms River (L) and Pat Day (R).  Photo by Phil Stilton

You can see hundreds of aerial photographs taken by Pat Day and Phil Stilton from Toms River Magazine and the Ocean County Police Blotter Facebook page below:

Ocean County Police Blotter Photo Galleries.

Editor’s Note: Over 560,000 facebook users in the Jersey Shore region have viewed photos by Day and Stilton in the time since Sandy touched down.   For many it was their first glimpse at their homes, in some cases, what was left of their homes.   Toms River Magazine wants to thank Pat Day for his contributions to our publication and to the entire Ocean County community.

-Article written by Christa Riddle, owner of All About Writing, www.allaboutwritingconsulting.com

Ocean Gate–Multiple fire companies responding to a structure fire at the Ocean Gate Market in Ocean Gate.

Waretown–Station 36 responding to working shed fire on Marine Road.

Seaside–Rumors about storm surge severely damaging the Seaside Heights boardwalk north of the Fun Town Pier are false.  The photo published today and spread through the internet showed a construction project that had been ongoing and that damage was not caused by the storm.

Beachwood–752 homes without power.

Toms River–Emergency shelter at High School East opened at 9am after capacity reached at Toms River High School North. A voluntary order to evacuate low-lying coastal areas is recommended.

Barrier Island–Mandatory evacuation of the barrier islands ordered.

For storm events, visit Ocean County Police Blotter on facebook.

Toms River-(PR)–What started out as an idea on facebook has quickly grown to a community of over 12,000 in just over one month.   In September, the publishers of JTOWN and Toms River Magazine launched a bold new initiative to inform Ocean County residents about growing concern of crime at the Jersey Shore, called “Ocean County Police Blotter“.

The page is a collection of public documents and reports from all of the county’s municipal police departments, the New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Departments, local fire companies and state and federal attorney general offices.    Each day, fans of the page can see what’s going on in the underbelly of Ocean County and the surrounding area.

“After four years of publishing our local community publications in Jackson and Toms River, we felt branching out would be appropriate since residents in other towns frequently asked us, ‘when are you coming to OUR town?’, so we decided last month, now is a good time,” said Phil Stilton, editor of JTOWN Magazine. “It’s a natural progression in the growth of our services.  We’re all about building communities and we have been building online communities since 1995.  We first went to all of the local police departments and after seeing that they would be interested in participating, we went ahead with this.  It’s a great way to really know what’s going on in our communities without the sensationalism normally found in the local news.”

Stilton says that the Ocean County Police Blotter fan page posts information received from local law enforcement agencies as is and unedited, aside from spelling and grammar checks.  ”Who are we, as journalists to inject our own view on something we did not witness?  We’re not out to sensationalize or make a bigger deal out of something than it is, it’s just about passing the word along to the public in a centralized location and to create awareness,” he said. “The community has also received this page well and it allows for residents to discuss the local events as they are reported.  In some cases, I’ve been told, it has led to tips to help police departments find perpetrators, which is always a plus. If we can help our local law enforcement agencies in a time when budgets are spread thin and most have just had a mass exodus due to pension reform legislation, then that’s just a bonus for us.”

Since it’s creation in early September of 2012, the page, as of this report, has 12,881 ‘likes’.     Aside from police blotter reports, the page also focuses on fire and emt operations in the county, public service announcements from both law enforcement and fire safety and supports local charities and fundraisers which benefit police, fire, emt and military service personnel in the county.

“I think our advantage here is that we’re an Ocean County based business and everyone who works with us and contributes are all life-long Ocean County residents.  In the end, this page is about building a community, not building a business, that comes second for us.  It’s a service the community needs and we don’t need to be fed regurgitated reports by global media companies on things that happen in our backyard.  This is essentially, for locals, by locals, which is the overall theme of everything we do here,” Stilton, a lifelong resident of Toms River and Jackson, concluded. “Just like our community magazines, the OCPB is ‘Authentically Local’ and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

If your department or agency is interested in participating in the Ocean County Police Blotter, visit the page on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocean-County-Police-Blotter/423813954320813?fref=ts.

 The Ocean County Police Blotter is operated by Stilton Company, LLC of Jackson Township and is not affiliated in any way with any law enforcement agencies.

Toms River–Fifteen Ocean County Schools have something to be happy about this week after receiving $15,000 checks from a grant by the OceanFirst Foundation.  To lots of cheering and even a few happy tears, the recipients of the 2012 OceanFirst Foundation Model Classroom Grants were announced on October 2nd.

Fifteen local schools – five each at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels – each received a $15,000 grant to fund their bold and innovative ideas for creating a Model Classroom at their school.

In the above photo, Toms River High School South teacher, Barbara Keller accepts the check with her students.
This year’s grant recipients are:

Elementary School Grades

Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School, New Egypt
Drum Point Road Elementary School, Brick
Emma Havens Young Elementary School, Brick
Switlik Elementary School, Jackson
Whiting Elementary School, Whiting

Middle School Grades

Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, Freehold
Lakehurst Elementary School, Lakehurst
Lavallette Elementary School, Lavallette
Memorial Middle School, Point Pleasant
Saint Peter School, Point Pleasant

High School Grades

Central Regional High School, Bayville
OCVTS – MATES, Manahawkin
Point Pleasant Beach High School, Point Pleasant Beach
Saint Rose High School, Belmar
Toms River High School South, Toms River

Sixing Liu, a/k/a, “Steve Liu,” 49, a PRC citizen who had recently lived in Flanders, N.J.,  and Deerfield, Ill., was taken into custody following the verdict, based on risk of flight considerations. Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2013.

“The jury found that in order to promote himself, Liu took highly sensitive defense information and trade secrets to China, violating the rules of his company and the laws of this country, and then lied about it upon his return to the United States,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said.

“We will not tolerate the exploitation of this country’s opportunities through the theft of our secrets.” “This specific investigation is troubling on many levels,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward said. “Mr. Liu helped develop technology critical to our military, then took a computer with that information on an unauthorized trip to China to present at a conference sponsored by the Chinese government. The United States spends billions of dollars each year on research and development, and this ‘intellectual capital’ is very attractive to others. If they are able to acquire this research, they can save billions and quickly develop their own products to compete against the United States, be it in the world economic market or on the battlefield.”

“Exporting military weapons and technical data and the theft of sensitive technology in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, are serious crimes with global consequences,” Andrew McLees, special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) in Newark, said. “Illegal foreign procurement networks continue to threaten our safety and this conviction reinforces that HSI has no tolerance for those who try to undermine our nation’s safety and security.”
“This arrest demonstrates the determination of Customs and Border Protection’s frontline officers, who work closely with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the American public  from potential threats,” Robert E. Perez, Director Field Operations, for CBP New York, said.

The jury convicted Liu of nine of the 11 counts in the Second Superseding Indictment with which he was charged, including six counts of violating the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, one count of possessing stolen trade secrets in violation of the Economic Espionage Act of 1996, one count of transporting stolen property in interstate commerce, and one count of lying to federal agents. The jury acquitted Liu on two counts of lying to federal agents.

According to documents filed in the case and evidence presented at trial:

In 2010, Liu stole thousands of electronic files from his employer, L-3 Communications, Space and Navigation Division, located in Budd Lake, N.J. The stolen files detailed the performance and design of guidance systems for missiles, rockets, target locators, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Liu stole the files to position and prepare himself for future employment in the PRC. As part of that plan, Liu delivered presentations about the technology at several PRC universities, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and conferences organized by PRC government entities. However, Liu was not charged with any crimes related to those presentations.

On Nov. 12, 2010, Liu boarded a flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to the PRC. Upon his return to the United States on Nov. 29, 2010, agents found Liu in possession of a non-work-issued computer found to contain the stolen material. The following day, Liu lied to agents of the Department of Homeland Security about the extent of his work on U.S. defense technology, which the jury found to be a criminal false statement.

The U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls later verified that several of the stolen files on Liu’s computer contained export-controlled technical data that relates to defense items listed on the United States Munitions List (USML). Under federal regulations, items and data covered by the USML may not be exported without a license, which Liu did not obtain. The regulations also provide that it is the policy of the United States to deny licenses to export items and data covered by the USML to countries with which the United States maintains an arms embargo, including the PRC.

The jury heard testimony that Liu’s company trained him about the United States’ export control laws and told him that most of the company’s products were covered by those laws.

After the verdict, Judge Chesler ordered Liu taken into custody, citing the penalties Liu faces, his ties to the PRC, and the lack of an extradition treaty with the PRC, among other reasons.
Liu faces the following maximum penalties, per count:

• Export violations – 20 years in prison, $1 million fine
• Stolen trade secrets violation – 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine
• Interstate transportation of stolen property – 10 years’ in prison, $250,000 fine
• False statement – five years in prison, $250,000 fine
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ward; special agents of ICE-HSI under the direction of Special Agent in Charge McLees; and officers of CBP, under Director of Field Operations Perez, for the investigation leading to today’s verdict.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Judson Welle of the United States attorney’s Office’s National Security Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gurbir S. Grewal of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Economic Crimes Unit, both in Newark. The prosecution received valuable support from attorneys of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterespionage Defense Counsel: James Darryl Tunick Esq., Chicago.

Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, N.J. – As a result of a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), detectives from the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit arrested a Hamilton Township man