7 Charged with Various Environmental Crimes in New Jersey May 21, 2010
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The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Major Crimes Bureau has obtained four separate state grand jury indictments charging a total of seven individuals with various environmental crimes, including four men charged for illegally dumping 18 drums containing inks and used solvents at an industrial property on Johnston Avenue in Jersey City on April 30.
Robert Clark Jr., 49, Rodney Williams, 46, Kevin L. Allen, 41, and Timothy Smith, 39, all of Jersey City, were each indicted on Wednesday, May 19, on charges of third-degree illegal disposal of solid waste and third-degree criminal mischief.
The indictment alleges that on April 30, the defendants disposed of 18 drums containing at least 250 (but less than 1,000) gallons of waste at a site not authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection to accept such waste. An investigation determined that Clark, a scrap metal dealer, was at a business in Jersey City looking for metal when an employee of that business offered him $250 to dispose of the drums. Clark and the three other men allegedly used a white box truck to transport the drums to the site on Johnston Avenue, where they illegally dumped them.
On May 3, the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management alerted detectives from the Environmental Crimes Section of the Division of Criminal Justice that the Jersey City Fire Department had been dispatched to a report of an unknown green liquid being discharged from a lot and into a storm drain on Fairmount Avenue. Fire Department units discovered the drums containing unknown substances, which had been illegally dumped at an industrial site at 532 Johnston Ave. Environmental Crimes Section detectives processed the scene for evidence and ultimately traced the drums to the defendants, who were arrested on May 5 and May 13. The Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Emergency Response also responded.
A separate May 19 indictment charged Joseph Volpe of Mays Landing, with third-degree unlawful disposal of regulated medical waste. The indictment alleges that on March 20, Volpe knowingly disposed of medical waste in an unlawful manner at 130 West Weymouth Road in Vineland. An investigation determined that Volpe allegedly dumped a box containing approximately 2,000 used hypodermic needles in front of a car wash at that location.
A third May 19 indictment charged James Buechler of Elsinboro, with fourth-degree uttering a forged document. The indictment alleges that on Dec. 8, 2008, Buechler falsified a Vineland Environmental Laboratories Certificate of Analysis. An investigation determined that, while attempting to sell a property located at 407 Chestnut Street in Elsinboro, Buechler allegedly forged the data in the certificate, making it appear that the well water on the property had pH and nitrate levels that were within New Jersey DEP and Federal EPA regulations, when, in fact, they were not. The indictment further alleges that Buechler removed the following sentences from the original certificate: “This waster does not comply with NJDEP and Federal EPA limits for potable water supply. This water does NOT comply with NJDEP and Federal EPA Chemical limits for potable water.”
A fourth indictment, which was handed up yesterday (May 20), charged Maryland B. Woods of Newark, with third-degree unlawfully causing a hazardous discharge and fourth-degree unlawful discharge of a pollutant. Woods allegedly violated the Water Pollution Control Act by discharging oil-contaminated water into a sewer located on Pomona Avenue in Newark.
Lyndhurst Police Emergency Squad captain charged with theft May 19, 2010
Posted by jefhenninger in News.Tags: theft by deception
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The captain of the Lyndhurst Police Emergency Squad, 30-year-old Haniel Lora, has been arrested and charged with third degree theft and fourth degree filing a false police report for allegedly using the squad’s ATM card to withdraw $5,160 from the squad’s bank account after he initially told police the card had been stolen.
According to Police Chief James O’Connor, he met with Lora on May 11 and Lora filed a report saying that the squad’s ATM card had probably been stolen and there were unauthorized withdrawals from the account. Detectives tracked down the charges in question to ATM machines in New York City where they were able to obtain video surveillance and still photos showing Lora using the card.
Lora came back in on May 18 for an interview and then admitted he used the card to make the withdrawals. Sounds like he needs a good lawyer to work on damage control ASAP.
Story is here.
Van Pelt convicted on all counts May 19, 2010
Posted by jefhenninger in News.Tags: Operation Bid Rig III
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As I predicted, Van Pelt was convicted on all counts. I can’t complain too much about the defense lawyers as they were dealt a tough hand. However, I do have to wonder why they had Van Pelt testify about conversations he had with Marci Hochman only to call Hochman later who denied those conversations! That just seems really odd. It really sunk any chance at that point.
However, the Government argued the obvious: there was no contract or any other proof as to what this payment was for. I really don’t see how you get around that.
Story is here.
NJ detective accused of exposing himself to girl via webcam May 11, 2010
Posted by jefhenninger in News.Tags: official misconduct
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Madison, NJ Detective James N. Haspel, of Chatham, was arrested by state police on his way to work Tuesday and charged with second-degree official misconduct, attempting to endanger the welfare of a child, and attempting to transmit obscene materials to a person under 16 years old for allegedly exposing himself via webcam to an undercover detective he believed was a 13-year-old girl and using a computer at police headquarters to communicate with the person he thought was the girl.
The complaint alleges that between December 2009 and May 2010, Haspel transmitted webcam videos of himself with his genitals exposed to a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl who was actually an undercover detective. He is charged with official misconduct because he allegedly sent the videos from a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, where he was attending a training conference for the police department, and because he allegedly communicated with the “girl” while on duty at police headquarters using a computer supplied by the borough for official police business.
Story is here.
Retired NJ teacher allegedly viewed child porn at Plainsboro library May 11, 2010
Posted by jefhenninger in News.Tags: child pornography
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Donald G. Mettler, of Plainsboro, has been charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He is a Boy Scout troop administrator and retired Edison school teacher. An investigation by Plainsboro police detective Eric Potts and Karleen A. Duca of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office began when Plainsboro police received a call on Friday, May 7, reporting that someone was viewing child pornography on a computer at the Plainsboro Township Public Library. He was arrested shortly after the police arrived at the library.
Story is here.
Van Pelt testifies at his own trial May 11, 2010
Posted by jefhenninger in News.Tags: Operation Bid Rig III
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Looks like Van Pelt’s lawyers have some guts. The media seems shocked that Van Pelt testified but I think that is because they are just so used to lawyers with no guys. You have nothing to lose by putting Van Pelt up there. He is clearly a bright guy and he should make a good witness.
I really need to hear Van Pelt explain away the cash payment. If he can explain that away, he has a great shot. The Government doesn’t seem to have any evidence that Van Pelt did anything to help Dwek here, just the allegation that he was going to. But I keep having to come back to the meeting at the diner and the lack of paperwork associated with the cash payment. That just doesn’t make any sense if this is legit. If everyone here is a real, legit businessman, why can’t they meet at an office, sign contracts and pay with a check? If I’m the Government, that’s my whole argument to the jury.
Story is here.
Dwek stands up to cross examination in Van Pelt Trial May 10, 2010
Posted by jefhenninger in News.Tags: Operation Bid Rig III
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Based upon the news reports, it seems that Solomon Dwek is holding up well in cross examination. The defense seems to be trying to paint him as a desperate man that will do anything to bribe public officials in an effort to save himself. Since a lot of this is on video, I’m not sure I would go with this strategy if my client was taking the stand. I assume Daniel Van Pelt is not going to take the stand even though he probably should.
Through cross examination, it seems like Dwek is getting to testify as to many issues that I find objectionable. For example, Dwek reportedly said “I walked away from 15-20 other honest public servants”. How do you know these people are honest? Who asked him for his opinion on why someone else did something?
According to app.com:
The line of questioning from Gilberti appears intent on establishing that at no time did Van Pelt actually ask for a bribe from Dwek. Moreover, Gilberti contends, Van Pelt did not display any signs of paranoia in Dwek’s company in public, which one would expect from an individual engaged in criminal activity. The defense has argued that Van Pelt believed he had been retained as a paid consultant for Dwek.
That may make sense if your client testifies, but otherwise, the jury is going to be left with some major questions such as: where is the agreement or even any paperwork to show that this payment was made?, why was it paid in cash?, why were these meetings in a diner? These are all questions that the jury will have to deal with unless Van Pelt can explain them away.
Story is here.
Craigslist May Hold Key to ID of Suspect in Times Square Bomb Scare May 3, 2010
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Whoever planted the Nissan Pathfinder in New York’s Times Square probably thought that the large explosion would destroy the vehicle to the point where no evidence would be uncovered. Nevertheless, the would be bomber went to great lengths to hide his identity. In addition to having fake plates, the person bought the car off of Craigslist for $1500 in cash three weeks ago. No paperwork was filled out. Thus, other than being able to provide a description, the seller cannot point to anyone.
However, if the buyer sent an email to the seller to set up the transaction, law enforcement can subpoena Craigslist (which relays the email) as well as the email provider and ISP of the buyer. Authorities likely already have subpoenas sent out to uncover this data. If this is a dead end, capturing the suspect will not be impossible but it will be more difficult.
Story is here.
Update May 4, 2010, 8:00 AM
An arrest was made several hours ago. The suspect is named Faisal Shahzad. Early reports are that police used computer and cell phone records to get his ID and picture which was then showed to the seller of the car who confirmed that Shahzad was the buyer.