TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Col. Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced the following recent enforcement action related to COVID-19, including those involving individuals in violation of Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 107:
Franklin Moore, 62, of Court House, was charged yesterday by the New Jersey State Police in Port Norris with possession of heroin (3rd degree), DWI, motor vehicle violations, and violating the emergency orders. Moore was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was unresponsive when police arrived, allegedly with heroin in the vehicle. He was treated and charged.
Assaults and Threats Against Police Officers, EMTs, or Others
Wadim Sakiewicz, 73, of Sparta, was charged April 17, by the Sparta Police Department with terroristic threats during an emergency (2nd degree), aggravated assault on an officer (4th degree), resisting arrest (4th degree), obstruction (disorderly persons offense), criminal mischief (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders.
On April 15, Sakiewicz entered Stop & Shop in Sparta, alledgedly without wearing a face mask. When an employee asked him to leave, he became combative, and when a second employee escorted him out of the store, he allegedly said he had the coronavirus and began to cough on the employee. The store alerted police, who identified and located Sakiewicz on April 17. Sakiewicz allegedly physically resisted arrest and allegedly tried to spit on and bite officers.
Amy Bosco, 47, of Point Pleasant Beach, was arrested April 16 by the Point Pleasant Beach Police and charged with terroristic threats during an emergency (3rd degree), disorderly conduct, and violating the emergency orders. Bosco entered the police station, yelling, “Pigs! Oink, oink!” She was irate and aggressive, screaming obscenities and refusing to leave. She claimed she had a fever, a cough, and was sick. She was arrested and taken to the hospital, but remained aggressive, shouting profanities and removing her mask to blow on EMTs in the ambulance.
Jose Lopez, 27, Irvington, was arrested April 17 by the Irvington Police and charged with throwing bodily fluid at a police officer (4th degree), endangering (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders. When officers asked a group to disperse, Lopez refused, allegedly gesturing with his middle finger and shouting obscenities. He allegedly lunged at one officer, but was stopped by other officers. When they released him, he allegedly spat at the officer, yelling “corona [expletive]!” The defendant allegedly got into a fighting stance, but officers subdued and arrested him.
Other Criminal Charges Involving Indictable Offenses
Katie Orszulski, 29, of Parlin, was arrested by the Hazlet Police April 15, and charged with burglary (2nd degree), simple assault (disorderly persons offense), criminal mischief (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders. Police responded to a report of a women being attacked by another woman outside her home. Investigation revealed that Orszulski allegedly got into a dispute with the victim over a man both were dating. Orszulski allegedly went to the victim’s home, dragged her outside, and began beating her in the street.
Moore, of Court House’s, arrest falls into this category.
Other Violations of Executive Orders, Including “Stay at Home” Order
Newark Enforcement. The Newark Police Department’s COVID-19 task force issued 88 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered four non-essential businesses closed in enforcement actions April 17.
Geoffrey T. Vonderlinden, 51, of Basking Ridge, was charged yesterday with violating the emergency orders after he was rescued while kite surfing off Normandy Beach in Toms River. Police and rescue crews responded to a report of a kite surfer in distress approximately 50 yards off shore and drifting northbound in the water, with strong winds and current. Fire department rescue crews and another surfer reached Vonderlinden and all returned to shore safely.
Isaiah M. George, 33, of Jersey City, Jabril Corley, 28, of Jersey City, and Megan Stoddart, 29, of Howell, were charged yesterday by the Jersey City Police with violating the emergency orders. In addition, Corley and another man, Marc Y. Bruny, 33, of Jersey City, were charged with disorderly conduct. The defendants were charged in connection with a party allegedly involving approximately 15 people inside an Airbnb rental in Jersey City.
“Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis. Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” stated Grewal. “Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”
“Law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of this battle to protect the citizens of New Jersey from the COVID-19 virus, and we cannot stress enough how important it is that each person follow the guidelines set forth in the Executive Order,” stated Callahan. “Because lives are at stake, enforcement action will be taken without hesitation against those who are blatantly placing the lives of others at risk.”
Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses.
Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
If you are seeing a lack of compliance with the Governor’s emergency orders in your town, please contact your local police department or report here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
