Grand Jury Indictments Filed Dec. 22

CORRECTION: An earlier online version of Cape May County grand jury indictments from Dec. 22 incorrectly listed William Ries, 70, as junior. Ries is the father of William Ries Jr. who had no connection with the alleged incident.
COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury handed up the following indictments Dec. 22:
William R. Ries, Sr.
William Ries, 70, of Church Road, Rio Grande, was indicted on two counts of attempted murder in the first degree along with second degree aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, also in the second degree.
On May 26, police responded to reports of a shooting and found a woman, 62, with a gunshot wound to the chest. A man, 59, who shared the residence, was unharmed. The two lived in a rented apartment in the rear of a property owned by Reis. Investigation led to a search of the landlord’s residence where a .38 caliber revolver was found.
John Pawelek
John Pawelek, 52, of Dennis Township was indicted for second degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, third degree. In August, Pawelek allegedly assaulted a “child under the age of 13,” according to the indictment.
Erik Branwell
In August, Erik Brandwell, 23, of Philadelphia, allegedly tried to knowingly pass a counterfeit $100 bill at an amusement pier in Wildwood. This week Branwell was indicted for third degree uttering a false instrument.
Joshua Devericks, Christopher Sheeron, and Lawrence Sheeron, 4th
During August 2014, Christopher, 23, and Lawrence Sheeron, both of Court House, allegedly used a credit card fraudulently at a large store in Middle Township. They are accused of gaining merchandize valued in excess of $500.
One month later, Sept. 16, the two, along with Joshua Devericks, 23, were arrested for possession with intent to distribute heroin. Police found chemicals and a device used to alter currency along with a Bushmaster assault rifle and an AK-47.
Devericks, previously convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, and Lawrence Sheeron, convicted of manufacturing and distributing a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), gained additional certain person charges in the third degree since their prior convictions made it a crime for them to carry a weapon.
All three were indicted of possession of a CDS with intent to distribute, conspiracy, and possession of a forgery device, all third degree. Devericks was also indicted for fraudulent use of a credit card and receiving stolen property, both third degree.
Brett M. Cusumano
Brett Cusumano, 22, of Maple Shade had a run in with police in North Wildwood July 31. He allegedly threatened an officer with violence when stopped. Cusumano was indicted for aggravated assault, resisting arrest, both third degree, and with fourth degree obstructing the administration of law.
Donte T. Alston
On Oct. 1, Donte Alston was arrested in Wildwood for heroin possession and intent to distribute.  Alston was indicted Oct. 6 for an April burglary. This time Alston was indicted for possession of a CDS and possession with intent to distribute heroin, both third degree. The fact that he was arrested within 1,000 feet of a school brought an additional third-degree indictment.
Michael Fisher
Michael Fisher, 42, of Erma was convicted in 1993 of endangering the welfare of a child. The indictment this week stated that Fisher is “a convicted sex offender” who failed to register a change of address with local law enforcement. Fisher’s new address is the Cape May County Correctional Center where he was lodged in lieu of $5,000 bond.
Christopher Green, Larry Arnold, Gerald Williams, Kierra Williams, William Toyenst, Craig Byrd, and Brandon Broughton
In a 12-count indictment, the grand jury alleges serious drug and weapon offenses against a group of seven individuals.
Christopher Green, 18, of Court House, Brandon Broughton, Gerald Williams and Kierra Williams, 19, of Whitesboro were indicted for unlawful possession of weapons, two counts, second degree, along with possession of a CDS with intent to distribute, third degree, and possession of a weapon while committing a CDS crime, second degree.
Larry Arnold, 20, of Whitesboro, was also indicted for possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, second degree along with terroristic threats, third degree, and obstructing the administration of law, fourth degree. He was also indicted for possession of heroin.
William Toyenst, 22, of Court House, and Craig Byrd, 37, of Whitesboro joined in the indictment charged with possession of a CDS.
Eric Hazel, Jasmine Spencer
Eric Hazel, 42, of Wildwood Crest, was indicted for endangering the welfare of a child and sexual assault, both second degree. The indictment alleges that Hazel, responsible for the care of a child, engaged in sexual assault of a child less than 13. 
The incident occurred in January. Hazel is also charged with making terroristic threats to the child.
Spencer physically assaulted the child on February 8, according to the indictment, and has been charged with aggravated assault in the third degree along with endangering the welfare of a child, second degree.
Brandon Strausser, Jesse Daisey
Brandon Strausser, 23, and Jesse Daisey, 22, are accused of crimes in Dennis Township. The grand jury this week indicted them for conspiracy, two counts, possession with intent to distribute a CDS, theft, and unlawful possession of a weapon during a CDS crime, all third degree.
The indictment alleges that the two conspired to steal firearms from a third party and did so.  They then allegedly conspired to distribute a CDS and did so while in possession of a weapon.
Since Nov. 2, both have been lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $75,000 bail. 
The individuals are only charged with the offenses and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.