Indictments Filed Oct. 15

COURT HOUSE – A Cape May County grand jury handed up 20 indictments Oct. 15. 
The abbreviation CDS below stands for controlled dangerous substance. 
A “certain person not to have weapons” charge can be made against an individual found in possession of a weapon, even though a previous felony conviction banned weapons possession.  
All individuals listed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Victoria E. Sterling-Scales 
Victoria Sterling-Scales, 48, of Avalon, was indicted on five separate counts of third-degree terroristic threats after she threatened to kill five individuals June 21. Since one of the individuals threatened had already obtained a restraining order against Sterling-Scales, she also faces a count of fourth-degree contempt.
Kyle Williams
Kyle Williams, 28, of Villas, faces one count of third-degree terroristic threats after threatening to stab and bludgeon a female victim.
Andrew Wells
Andrew Wells, 42, of Wildwood, was indicted for third-degree possession of a CDS, methamphetamine, and second-degree possession with intent to distribute. The second-degree charge is because the amount of amphetamine was over .5 ounces.
Erica Tomlinson, Ryan P. Schwartz
Ryan Schwartz, of Ocean City, was indicted on two counts of possession of a CDS, heroin and amphetamine, along with one third-degree count for possession with intent to distribute. Erica Tomlinson was named on one count for possession of heroin, third degree.
Francis C. Schuch, Carl Elliott 
Two Philadelphia men, Francis Schuch, 50, and Carl Elliott, 30, were indicted for third-degree possession of a CDS, along with fourth-degree counts for unlawful possession of a knife, conspiracy, and certain person. 
Elliott also faces another fourth-degree count for possession of a prohibited weapon, a billy club. The certain person charges stem from Elliott’s 2003 conviction for sexual assault and Schuch’s conviction in 1989 for robbery. Both men were convicted in Pennsylvania.  
Nathaniel Ruiz
Nathaniel Ruiz, of Lower Township, faces two third-degree counts for terroristic threats and aggravated assault related to a domestic violence incident.
Davine J. Rice 
Davine Rice, of Ocean City, was indicted on two counts of third-degree possession of a CDS, heroin and cocaine, and third-degree possession with intent to distribute a CDS, heroin.
Alejandro Perez, Elmer Matias-Verdugo
Alejandro Perez, 47, and Elmer Matias-Verdugo, 30, both of Bridgeton, face indictments related to an automobile accident July 24. Perez is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury and violation of public health and safety, both counts third degree. 
Perez is also named in a fourth-degree count for causing a serious injury while driving under license suspension. Matias-Verdugo was named on one fourth-degree count for hindering apprehension.
Almi Tineo, Judy L. Glorioso, Frank Gigiotti, Donald Falcone, Patrick Dougherty
The five individuals listed were separately indicted for possession of a CDS. All face one third-degree count except Falcone, who faces two counts.
Thomas J. Fox
Thomas Fox, 72, of West Cape May, faces a fourth-degree count for operating a vehicle during a second license suspension. Fox was arrested in Cape May and also charged with driving while intoxicated.
James A. McCallion
James McCallion, of Ocean City, was indicted for burglary and theft, each third degree.
Michael Merchel
Michael Merchel, 37, of North Cape May, was indicted for second-degree burglary, along with two third-degree counts for aggravated assault and witness tampering. 
The indictment states that Merchel illegally entered a home on Court House South Dennis Road, assaulting the resident. His attempts to influence testimony against him earned the charge for witness tampering.
Drew D. Lomberg
Drew Lomberg was indicted for third-degree theft by deception in Ocean City in July.
Paul J. Brunner
Paul Brunner, of Ocean City, faces a third-degree indictment for making terroristic threats.
Eric E. Curdt    
On various dates in 2018 and 2019, the indictment of Eric Curdt, of Ocean City, states that Curdt assaulted two children, ages 8 and 12. Curdt faces two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. All counts are in the second degree.
Shawn P. Harkins
Shawn Harkins, 31, of Villas, is facing two fourth-degree counts for criminal trespass and contempt.