Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the arrests of several drug traffickers following a three-month investigation into the importation and distribution of heroin and cocaine in Morris County.
Between December 2015 and March 2016, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit and Detectives with the Morristown Bureau of Police received information regarding cocaine and heroin distribution by multiple members of the Washington family.
An investigation commenced and intelligence was developed by members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Enforcement Unit/Narcotics Task Force, that Ronald G. Washington and his brother George Washington were obtaining a significant supply of heroin and cocaine from a source in Passaic County. The cocaine and heroin was imported into Morris County and sold throughout Morristown, Victory Gardens, Dover and surrounding areas.
On March 13 and 14, 2016, several court-ordered search and arrest warrants were executed throughout Morris and Passaic Counties by members of the Narcotics Task Force, Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT), Passaic County Sheriff’s Department SWAT and the New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit.
The investigation resulted in Court authorization for 25 arrests, the seizure of more than 1400 individual folds of heroin, approximately 55 grams of cocaine, various packaging and drug distribution related material, more than $33,500 in United States currency, and handgun ammunition. Additionally, eleven (11) motor vehicles were seized.
The following is a list of individuals charged in the investigation. The charges specific to each individual are included on the attached table:
1. Prentice Melton (aka “Prince”), age 47, of Clifton, NJ. (arrested)
2. Ronald G. Washington (aka “Trank”), age 56, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
3. George R. Washington (aka “GW”), age 51, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
4. Michael A. Washington (aka “Raheem”), age 54, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
5. Robert L. Washington (aka “Robbie”), age 49, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
6. Deborah A. Jones (aka “Auntie”), age 61, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
7. Derrell A. Jones, age 31, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
8. David W. Jones (aka “Bones”), age 58, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
9. Randy Gwaltney (aka “Pee Wee”), age 44, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
10. William A. Bryant, Jr., age 50, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
11. Gregory Blayer, age 34, of Flanders, NJ (arrested)
12. Otis L. Davis, age 57, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
13. Andrew W. Mistkowski, age 50, of Randolph, NJ (arrested)
14. Jennie E. Maccario, age 36, of Hopatcong, NJ (arrested)
15. Jessica L. Debonis, age 30, of Flanders, NJ (at large)
16. Melissa A. Lapinski, age 36, of Budd Lake, NJ (arrested)
17. Richard J. Hillabrant, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
18. Korey E. Holloway, age 41, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
19. Carla J. Forgione, age 44, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
20. Sheyne V. Jordan, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
21. Marcelo Fabian, age 44, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
22. Stephen Rudolph, age 59, of Glen Gardner, NJ (arrested)
23. Lauren M. Ellis-White, age 52, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
24. Brandon L. White, age 22, Dover, NJ (arrested)
25. Ashon J. Hackett-Taylor, age 22, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. authorized the warrant complaints and set the bails for most of the defendants. The Honorable Ira Cohen, J.M.C. set bail on Derrell Jones.
Table of Charges
1. Prentice Melton (aka “Prince”), age 47, of Clifton, NJ. Melton was charged with:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(2) Counts of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(2) Counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(2) Counts of Possession of Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(2) Counts of Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(2) Counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, within 500 feet of a public park (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, within 500 feet of a public park (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Cocaine, within 500 feet of a public park (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Heroin, within 500 feet of a public park (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
Melton was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $200,000 no 10% bail.
2. Ronald G. Washington (aka “Trank”), age 56, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd degree)
Ronald G. Washington was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $250,000 no 10% bail.
3. George R. Washington (aka “GW”), age 51, of Morristown, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(2) Counts of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(2) Counts of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Cocaine, within 500 feet of a public park (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Cocaine, within 500 feet of a public park (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
George R. Washington was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $250,000 no 10% bail.
4. Michael A. Washington (aka “Raheem”), age 54, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd degree)
Michael A. Washington was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $100,000 no 10% bail.
5. Robert L. Washington (aka “Robbie”), age 49, of Morristown, NJ:
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Distribution of Heroin within 500 feet of Public Park, less than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
Robert L. Washington was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $100,000 no 10% bail.
6. Deborah A. Jones (aka “Auntie”), age 61, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with Intent to Distribute, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd degree)
Deborah A. Jones was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $100,000 no 10% bail.
7. Derrell A. Jones, age 31, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Possession of Marijuana, more than 50 grams (4th Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, more than 1 ounce but less than 5 pounds (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd degree)
Derrell A. Jones was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $2,500 no 10% bail.
8. David W. Jones (aka “Bones”), age 58, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, greater than ½ oz. (2nd degree)
David W. Jones was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $20,000 no 10% bail.
9. Randy Gwaltney (aka “Pee Wee”), age 44, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
Randy Gwaltney was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $50,000 no 10% bail.
10. William A. Bryant, Jr., age 50, of Morristown, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with Intent to Distribute, greater than ½ oz. (2nd Degree)
William A. Bryant, Jr. was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. His bail has been set at $100,000 no 10%.
11. Gregory Blayer, age 34, of Flanders, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Gregory Blayer was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $10,000 no 10% bail.
12. Otis L. Davis, age 57, of Morristown, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Otis L. Davis was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $10,000 with 10% option bail.
13. Andrew W. Mistkowski, age 50, of Randolph, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Andrew W. Mistkowski was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $5,000 with 10% option bail.
14. Jennie E. Maccario, age 36, of Hopatcong, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Jennie E. Maccario was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $10,000 with a 10% option bail.
15. Jessica L. Debonis, age 30, of Flanders, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Jessica Debonis is currently at-large. Her bail has been set at $10,000 with a 10% option bail.
16. Melissa A. Lapinski, age 36, of Budd Lake, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Melissa Lapinski was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $10,000 with 10% option bail.
17. Richard J. Hillabrant, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Richard J. Hillabrant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $10,000 with 10% option bail.
18. Korey E. Holloway, age 41, of Morristown, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Korey E. Holloway was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $10,000 with 10% option bail.
19. Carla J. Forgione, age 44, of Rockaway, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Carla J. Forgione was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $5,000 with 10% option bail.
20. Sheyne V. Jordan, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Sheyne V. Jordan was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $7,500 with 10% option bail.
21. Marcelo Fabian, age 44, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd Degree)
Marcelo Fabian was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $10,000 no 10% bail.
22. Stephen Rudolph, age 59, of Glen Gardner, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
Stephen Rudolph was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. His bail has been set at $5,000 with no 10% option bail.
23. Lauren M. Ellis-White, age 52, of Dover, NJ:
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd Degree)
(1) Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, less than ½ oz. (3rd Degree)
Lauren M. Ellis-White was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. Her bail has been set at $7,500 with no 10% option bail.
24. Brandon L. White, age 22, Dover, NJ for:
(1) Count of Possession of Marijuana, less than 50 grams (Disorderly Persons)
Brandon L. White was released on his own recognizance.
25. Ashon J. Hackett-Taylor, age 22, of Morristown, NJ for:
(1) Count of Possession of Marijuana, less than 50 grams (Disorderly Persons)
Ashon J. Hackett-Taylor was released on his own recognizance.