Indictments Filed July 25

COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury handed up 25 indictments July 25. The abbreviation CDS below stands for controlled dangerous substance. 
The crime of certain person below stands for certain person not to have a weapon. Individuals convicted of a felony are not allowed to carry a weapon at any time. When such an individual is found in possession of a weapon, a certain person charge is usually added to the indictment.
Eric M. Fahr
Over a period of two years from May 2015 to 2017, Eric Fahr, 21, of Erma, allegedly produced film or photographs of a child engaged in a prohibited sexual act. The child was ages 8 to 10 during the period in question. Fahr also allegedly sold or distributed the images. He was indicted on three separate counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Conviction on a single second-degree count can carry a jail term of five to 10 years.
Josh Gagnon
On Aug. 5, 2016, Josh Gagnon, of Middle Township, allegedly took property valued at greater than $500 from a business specializing in sound and video systems.
Lee Jaudon
A motor vehicle stop in Dennis Township netted Lee Jaudon, 35, of Edison. Jaudon, who had a previous conviction for robbery, was allegedly found to be in possession of drugs and weapons.
Possession of a 9 mm handgun led to indictments for second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
Cocaine in an amount greater than half an ounce then contributed to indictment counts for possession of a CDS, third degree, along with possession with intent to distribute, second degree.
Combining the cocaine and weapon led to a second-degree count of possession of a weapon while committing a CDS crime. Still another count for second-degree certain person was added because of the gun and Jaudan’s previous felony conviction. 
Nicholas Bimbo
Nicholas Bimbo, 32, was indicted for third degree aggravated assault allegedly perpetrated against a female victim in Wildwood Crest in June.
Riley Cathrall
Riley Cathrall unlawfully entered a dwelling on Perry Street in Cape May City in May. Cathrall was indicted for one count of fourth-degree criminal trespass.
Jorge Merlino-Hernandez
Jorge Merlino-Hernandez, of Lower Township, was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault, second degree, as well as two counts of terroristic threats, third degree. Merlino-Hernandez allegedly assaulted a female victim and her four-year-old child in May.
Robert Forbes
Robert Forbes, 39, of North Cape May, allegedly assaulted a male victim in Middle Township in June. He was indicted on one count of third degree aggravated assault.
Raena Dunn
Raena Dunn, 37, of Villas, was indicted for fourth-degree criminal trespass for unlawfully entering a bank on Pacific Avenue in Lower Township.
Roosevelt DeFrietas
Roosevelt DeFrietas, 52, of Wildwood, was indicted for distribution of a CDS and distribution within 1,000 feet of a school, each count third degree. DeFrietas was already facing an indictment for distribution in April.
Eric Imlay
Eric Imlay, of Middle Township, allegedly brought a knife onto Middle Township school property leading to a two count indictment for unlawful possession of a weapon in an educational institution, fourth degree.
Dean Lewin
Dean Lewin, 24, of Wildwood managed to be named in two separate indictments on the same day.
In May, Lewin allegedly issued a check to Wildwood City in the amount of $250. The indictment claims that Lewin knew the check would not be honored by the bank. This led to the first indictment for fourth degree issuing a bad check.
In June, Lewin was given a temporary release from detention to which he failed to return at the appointed time. This led to an indictment for escape in the third degree.
Andrew Mattern
Andrew Mattern, 37, of Lower Township, was indicted for third-degree terroristic threats.
Caroline Rich
Caroline Rich, 37, of Villas, was arrested in Wildwood for DWI in June. The presence of four children, ages 8 to 16, led to an indictment on four counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child.
David Slater
David Slater, 50, of Eldora, was indicted for criminal sexual contact, fourth degree, as well as the second-degree crime of endangering the welfare of a child.
Stanley Szambelak
Stanley Szambelak, of North Wildwood, was indicted for third-degree theft by deception. Szambelak allegedly accepted $5,000 from a Stone Harbor property owner for certain home improvements which Szambelak allegedly never did. The indictment also maintains that Szambelak presented himself as a licensed New Jersey contractor even though his license had expired.
Stacy Reaves
Stacy Reaves, of Wildwood, was indicted for third-degree burglary and theft along with possession of a CDS. Reaves allegedly entered an apartment on Pacific Avenue in Wildwood City taking property valued at greater than $500. When arrested, police say she was in possession of heroin.
Rita Salladino
Rita Salladino, 25, of Villas, was named in two separate indictments for offenses that occurred on different days in two municipalities.
In April, Salladino allegedly unlawfully took property valued at greater than $500, leading to an indictment for third-degree theft.
In May, Salladino was arrested in Cape May City for possession of a CDS, leading to a two count indictment for possession, third degree.
James Hawes, Alon Wright, and Taro Gaither
Three young men from out of town allegedly used force when committing a robbery in Wildwood City in May. James Hawes, 22, of Mount Holly, Alon Wright, 20, of Pemberton and Taro Gaither, 18, of Browns Mills, were indicted for second-degree conspiracy and robbery, along with two counts of third degree aggravated assault.
Nyesia Santana and Alexia Lopez
A traffic stop in Wildwood Crest led to the arrest of two from North Jersey for possession of over 50 grams of marijuana. Nyesia Santana, 18, of Bayonne, and Alexia Lopez, 19, of Jersey City, were indicted for fourth-degree possession of a CDS and third-degree possession with intent to distribute.
Hallie Wheaton
Hallie Wheaton drove on the sidewalk. She was stopped and arrested for DWI. The 24-year-old Wheaton, from North Cape May, was also allegedly found to be in possession of several drugs including heroin and oxycodone. In addition to her DWI troubles, Wheaton will face a four count indictment for possession of a CDS, third degree.
Anthony Vazquez
On July 5 in North Wildwood, Anthony Vazquez allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted two police officers. He was indicted for aggravated assault, third degree, two counts, as well as resisting arrest and obstructing the administration of law.
Zackary J. Thompson
While violating a restraining order, Zackary Thompson, 23, of Green Creek, was also allegedly in possession of several weapons. Thompson possessed metal knuckles, a chemical self-defense agent, a machete, a survival knife, and ax handle with a blade affixed to it and two pocket knives.  
Thompson was indicted for criminal contempt, two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon and four counts of unlawful possession of a weapon. All seven counts in the indictment were in the fourth degree.
Crystal Tozer
Crystal Tozer, 35, of Villas, was indicted for three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card as well as third-degree theft. Tozer allegedly took the card and used it at a dollar store, a super market and in an ATM.
The above individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.