Indictments Filed June 14

COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury handed up the following 11 indictments June 14. 
Mark A. Brown
Mark Brown, 19, of Whitesboro, was lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center following an incident March 26 when he allegedly used force committing a theft. Brown also allegedly involved a 17-year-old juvenile in the commission of the crime. If that were not sufficient, police say Brown was found with heroin which he intended to distribute.
Brown was indicted on second-degree robbery charges along with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) and possession with intent to distribute, both third-degree counts.
Using a juvenile in the crime landed Brown an additional count in the first-degree. Conviction on a first-degree offense can lead to a jail term of 10 to 20 years.
Brown has had frequent problems with law enforcement recently with an arrest for credit card theft in October 2015, an arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia one month later, and a February arrest for contempt of court.
Zachary Dorcey
Zachary Dorcey, 18, of Warminster, Pa., along with a 17-year-old juvenile offender, allegedly intentionally damaged property at a North Wildwood hotel. Property loss was valued at greater than $2,000, landing Dorcey an indictment for third-degree criminal mischief along with resisting arrest.
More serious was the indictment count for second-degree use of a juvenile in a crime. Such a second-degree conviction can involve a five to 10-year prison sentence.
Frederick L. Rice, Trinity Thornberg
Burleigh residents Frederick Rice, 25, and Trinity Thornberg, 27, allegedly drove to Avalon sometime in the months January to March with the intent to rob an empty vacation home on 28th Street.
Police said that the pair found that the homeowners had removed most of their personal property for the winter season.
The two removed enough from the home to cross the $500 threshold that netted them a third-degree indictment for burglary and theft.
Jared Waygand
Jared Waygand, 21, of Belleplain, was involved in a motor vehicle stop May 3 in Dennis Township. Police allegedly found a prohibited stun gun in Waygand’s car. He was indicted for possession of a prohibited weapon, fourth degree.
Gary Laracuente, Stephanie Ferrell
Two Court House residents, Gary Laracuente, 40, and Stephanie Ferrell, 39, were indicted for possession of a CDS, possession with intent to distribute a CDS, and conspiracy to distribute heroin, all third degree.  The two also face counts of endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy to endanger, both second-degree offenses. The indictment alleges that the two had the legal responsibility to care for a 7-year-old child whom they “harmed” by their actions.
Carmen Y. Colon-Cruz, William M. Smart
William Smart joined Carmen Y. Colon-Cruz, 35, of Wildwood, in a count of possession of a CDS, third degree. After that, the indictment dealt only with Colon-Cruz, who faced added counts for possession with intent to distribute and possession with intent within 1,000 feet of a school, both in the third degree. The incident leading to the indictment occurred in April.
Just one month ago, the Herald reported that Colon-Cruz was also indicted on separate charges of possession and possession with intent to distribute CDS.
Colon-Cruz has been lodged at the Cape May Correctional Center since May 20 due to the violation of a domestic violence restraining order.
Heather Zilavetz, Charles Markham and Roy Silver
Three residents of West Wildwood, Heather Zilavetz, 26, Charles Markham, 32, and Roy Silver, 34, were jointly indicted for possession of a CDS, third degree. The incident leading to the arrest occurred in April in North Wildwood.
Kristy A. Hegarty
Kristy Hegarty was arrested by Lower Township Police March 21. Police alleged that she entered into a conspiracy with two unknown males to commit robbery. The single-count indictment charged her with second-degree conspiracy.
Alexis M. Pacheco
Alexis Pacheco, 24, of Ocean City, was arrested in Wildwood May 9 for possession of heroin. She was indicted for possession of a CDS, third degree.
The above individuals are only charged with the offenses and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.