Indictments Filed March 22

COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury handed up 18 indictments March 22. The abbreviation CDS is used for controlled dangerous substance.
Annaliese M. Broschard
According to police, Annaliese Broschard, 35, of Ocean View, committed third-degree aggravated assault on a 14-year-old and then tried to have the 14-year-old and a related 12-year-old help her to hinder apprehension by giving false information. She was indicted for endangering the welfare of a child, second degree, aggravated assault, third degree, using a juvenile in a crime, two counts both first degree, and hindering apprehension, two counts, one second and one third degree.
Javier Ayala
Javier Ayala, 44, of Court House, was indicted for attempted aggravated arson, second degree, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, third degree, unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth degree, burglary, third degree, and criminal mischief, fourth degree. Ayala, allegedly unlawfully entered a 1998 Ford F-150 and attempted to set fire to the vehicle.
Kim Strawhacker, Kevin Heiler
Ongoing attention by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office concerning fraudulent use of Social Services benefits kept the grand jury busy this week with three separate cases.
In one, Kim Strawhacker, 59, and Kevin Heiler, 37, both of North Wildwood, were indicted for fourth degree unlawful use of an ATP card or food stamps, two counts, along with third degree conspiracy to commit theft. Strawhacker alone was indicted for third degree theft.
In the period from September to December 2015, Strawhacker allegedly used Heiler’s benefits card continuously while he was incarcerated. She was not authorized to gain or use his benefits.
Shannon Hamilton
In another case involving misuse of Social Services benefits, Shannon Hamilton, 39, of West Cape May, was indicted for theft by deception, third degree, along with forgery and uttering a false instrument, both fourth degree.
Hamilton allegedly misrepresented her income from a job with a Cape May bed-and-breakfast inn in order to qualify for benefits for which she would not have otherwise qualified. The indictment further maintains that Hamilton forged a letter from her employer to support her misrepresentation.
Brian Nolan
In a third case involving Social Services, Brian Nolan, 35, of Wildwood, was indicted for fourth degree unauthorized use of an ATP card, and theft, third degree. Nolan allegedly used the card of another individual to gain benefits for which he had “not applied or been approved.”
Tara Wyatt
Tara Wyatt, 26, of Burleigh, allegedly entered a large national retailer in Rio Grande and stole merchandise valued at greater than $200 and less than $500. That netted her a fourth-degree shoplifting charge. In addition Wyatt was allegedly found with illegal lorazepam pills which added the more serious third degree indictment for possession of a CDS.
Joseph Kelly
Joseph Kelly, 26, of Villas, was arrested for possession of heroin by Lower Township police Jan. 31. Police maintain that Kelly used force to resist arrest. The incident resulted in an indictment for third-degree possession of a CDS and third degree resisting arrest.
Justin McCausland
Justin McCausland, 24, of Cape May, allegedly entered a second-floor dwelling on Spruce Avenue in North Wildwood intent on committing a crime. The February incident resulted in an indictment for third degree burglary.
Elijah Mabry
In January, Elijah Mabry, 24, of Whitesboro, allegedly disobeyed a restraining order issued one month earlier resulting in an indictment for criminal contempt, fourth degree. The fact that police maintained he was in possession of cocaine, added the third degree charge of possession of a CDS.
Christopher O’Neill
On Jan. 22 and 25, Christopher O’Neill, 25, of Seaville, allegedly cashed three forged checks made out to him on the account of a local charity. The actions led to an indictment for theft, forgery, and uttering a false instrument, all third degree.
The above individuals are only charged with the offenses and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.