Indictments Filed Dec. 12

COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury handed up 30 indictments Dec. 12. This was the second highest one-week total this year. The abbreviation CDS below stands for controlled dangerous substance. 
Ernest A. Paulus, Paul Conway
Ernest Paulus, 46, of North Cape May, faces a seven-count indictment, including a first-degree count for aggravated sexual assault. A first-degree conviction can carry prison time of 10 to 20 years.
In June a female victim reported that Paulus had been sharing inappropriate photographs of her and that he had threatened her with a shotgun to keep her quiet.
A search warrant was executed for Paulus’ residence. The search led to the seizure of electronic equipment including a cell phone, computer, and video-recording equipment.
Paulus has been indicted for first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
 Also, he faces third-degree counts of terroristic threats and invasion of privacy.  There is one fourth-degree count of assault.
Paul Conway was added to one of the third-degree counts for invasion of privacy.
Veronica L. Carr
Veronica Carr, 27, of Wildwood, was indicted for fourth-degree shoplifting at a chain store in Rio Grande.
Richard L. Gibson, Anthony M. Barron, Tyler J. Steacy
A third-degree shoplifting charge has been handed up against Richard Gibson, 31, Anthony Barron and Tyler Steacy for allegedly working together to take more than $500 worth of merchandise from an Upper Township chain pharmacy.
Scott T. Denny
In Upper Township, Scott T. Denny allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old landing him an indictment for second-degree sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
John M. Fox, Colleen Fox
John and Colleen Fox were indicted for fourth-degree criminal trespass stemming from an incident on Swan Avenue, Cape May in August.
Daniel Drum
In Wildwood in September, Daniel Drum allegedly intimidated and assaulted another individual because of the victim’s “national origin.” Drum was allegedly armed with a knife at the time. 
Drum faces an indictment for first-degree bias intimidation, second degree aggravated assault, third-degree counts for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and a fourth-degree count of unlawful possession of a weapon.
Morris Fitzpatrick
Morris Fitzpatrick, 47, of Wildwood, was indicted on six counts of third-degree distribution of a CDS, heroin.  He also faces two additional third-degree counts for distribution within 1,000 feet of a school.
Bruce Pearson, Robert Pfaff, George Williams, Thomas Furey, Joseph Jones, Nicholas Malasto, Christopher Bailey, Katrina Bowker,  Anna Dorr, Brad Sims, Edward Franchville, Chalet Rinner, Davis Gonzalez, William Hanley
In separate indictments, the following individuals were indicted for third-degree possession of a CDS.
Bruce Pearson, of Wildwood, Robert Pfaff, 33, of Fishing Creek, George Williams, of Middle Township, Thomas Furey, 33, of Del Haven, Joseph Jones, Nicholas Malasto, of Wildwood, Christopher Bailey, 38, of North Cape May, Katrina Bowker, 21, of Millville, Anna Dorr, 38, of Wildwood, Brad Sims, 41, of Wildwood, Edward Franchville, of Wildwood, Chalet Rinner, of Wildwood, Davis Gonzalez, and William Hanley. 
Edgardo J. Torrado 
Following the execution of a search warrant at his Virginia Avenue residence in Lower Township, Edgardo Torrado was charged with drug possession and intent to distribute.  He was indicted on second-degree possession with intent.
Ryan C. Toler
Ryan Toler, 28, of Woodbine, faces two counts of second-degree aggravated assault involving the same victim.
Patricia Schofield
Patricia Schofield, of Wildwood, was indicted for second-degree robbery, as well as two third-degree counts of possession of a CDS.
Richard Roesch
Richard Roesch was indicted for theft by failure to make required disposition, third degree. The count stems from an incident in Ocean City.
Kelly Underwood, Timothy Barrus
Kelly Underwood and Timothy Barrus, both of Ocean City, were indicted for third-degree possession of a CDS, fentanyl. The involvement of three children, ages 7 to 14, led to three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Jessica Waugh
Jessica Waugh, of Lower Township, was indicted for two counts of third-degree possession of a CDS, heroin, and fentanyl, along with one count of possession with intent and three counts of distribution of a CDS, each count third degree.
Proximity to public property added a second-degree count for distribution within 500 feet of public property.
Victor Nardo
Victor Nardo, of Wildwood, was indicted for third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. The weapon in question was a Black Bear River airsoft handgun.
Stuart Baade, Alexander Galvez
Stuart Baade, of Wildwood, was indicted for possession of a CDS, heroin, third degree. As part of the same indictment, Alexander Galvez was listed for a fourth-degree count of tampering with physical evidence, in this case, suspected CDS.
Edward Matthews
Edward Matthews, of Wildwood, was indicted for distribution of a CDS, heroin, and distribution within 1,000 feet of a school, each count third degree. 
Matthews also faces a second-degree count for distribution within 500 feet of public property.
Jerry Murphy
Jerry Murphy, 38, of Belleplain, was indicted for three counts of burglary related to early-morning unlawful entry into automobiles in Dennis Township. He also faces a count for third-degree possession of a CDS, Clonazepam. 
The above individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.