Day: May 15, 2020

Bordentown Twp, Burlington, Burlington City, Edgewater, Ewing, Ewing, Florence, Mercer County, Mount Laurel, Trenton, Willingboro

Area Drug Trafficking Organization Members Admit To Roles In Drug Conspiracy

May 15, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Three members of a Burlington County drug-trafficking organization have admitted their roles in a conspiracy to distribute a variety of illegal substances, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Jerrod Epps, 35, of Medford, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Senior District Judge Anne E. Thompson to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Teron Huggins, 42, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on May 14, 2020, to an information charging him with two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Talib Conway, 39, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty on May 8, 2020, to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Between July 2019 and September 2019, the defendants engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated primarily in municipalities throughout Burlington County – including Willingboro, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Bordentown Township, Edgewater Park, Pemberton and Mount Laurel – and which sought to profit from the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that defendants obtained regular supplies of cocaine and other substances from conspirators in the Burlington County and Philadelphia areas and then redistributed cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end users. Law enforcement officers intercepted numerous communications by and between the conspirators regarding such issues as cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity, and customer satisfaction.

The counts of conspiracy to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin to which Conway pleaded guilty each carry a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million. The count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine to which Conway pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. The counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine to which Huggins pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. The count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine to which Epps pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. Sentencing for all three defendants is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; special agents of ATF Newark Field Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott Coffina; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Bruce Painter; officers of the Willingboro Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Kinamo Lomon; officers of the Burlington City Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John Fine; officers of the Florence Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Brian Boldizar; officers of the Bordentown Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Brian Pesche; officers of the Edgewater Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Robert Hess; officers of the Mount Laurel Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Stephen Reidener; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John Stemler; officers of the Westampton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Stephen Ent; and officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Director Sheilah Coley with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha K. Nye of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Johns of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

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Defense counsel:
Conway: Teri Lodge Esq., Marlton, New Jersey
Huggins: David Oakley Esq., Princeton, New Jersey
Epps: Edward Borden Esq., Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Mercer County, Trenton

Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) Provides PPE And Food To City’s Seniors

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) provided donations of vital PPE including N95 masks and meals for senior citizens today at Trenton Fire Headquarters today. Donated meals from TASC will be distributed to Trenton seniors.

TASC also has recently provided donations to Capital Health Center in Trenton:

  • Dr. Vedat Obuz
  • Dr. Vedat Obuz
  • Mayor W. Reed Gusciora
  • Mayor W. Reed Gusciora
  • Director of Fire Derrick Sawyer
Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville

Hamilton and Robbinsville Townships Announce Joint Decision on Sewer Rates

May 15, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE – HAMILTON TOWNSHIPS, NJ (MERCER)– With the aging Hamilton Township wastewater facility in dire need of infrastructure upgrades, Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin and Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried jointly announced today that both municipalities deem it necessary to raise residential and commercial sewer rates for the first time in over a decade.

Previously, Hamilton and Robbinsville mutually agreed to dismiss a pending lawsuit regarding past sewer payments without prejudice. Both sides continue to work on reaching a long-term settlement, without the cost of attorneys, in yet another pivotal step toward fostering continued good relations between the neighboring townships.

Every utility is required to file financial reports annually to the State of New Jersey by February 10 of each year.  As part of this reporting, there is a calculation done to ensure the utility is solvent – better known as “self-liquidating.”  It is important to maintain a self-liquidating status in order not to impede or effect municipal operations. 

Hamilton and Robbinsville, which have two of the lowest sewer rates in all of Mercer County, have agreed to share the cost of a rate study. Following a comprehensive review by each Township, residential sewer rates in each municipality will increase effective in July and reflected on the October 1 bill. For Robbinsville residents, the proposed increase is $85 per-household for a total annual cost of $425. For Hamilton residents, the increase would amount to $78 per-household to $390. Non-residential rates in both towns also will be adjusted. 

Upon completion of the rate study, the municipalities will rely on that data to establish future shared costs.

In an April 2018 wastewater utility financial survey conducted by the Hamilton Township Water Pollution Control, the total annual cost of a residential family of four in neighboring municipalities in Mercer and Burlington Counties ranged between $600-900. The proposed increase must be presented and approved by the Township Council of each municipality. Such approvals still would result in a revised average household sewer bill below the rate of neighboring municipalities.

Hamilton Township last raised its sewer rate in 2008. Robbinsville has raised sewer rates just once (2011) since 1990.

“Both towns are equally committed to running the sewer utility in a responsible manner that accommodates the needs of both townships fairly,” Mayor Fried said. “The previous administration in Hamilton used all of its surplus and one-time revenue, among other gimmicks, to avoid this inevitability. We know how important this infrastructure is to the residents and businesses of Hamilton and Robbinsville. This is also a health and safety issue with no room for politics. While no one likes a rate increase, especially amid a pandemic, this is the only action that will ensure the facility is highly functional and properly run while we await the conclusion of the rate study.”

“We have a plant that is very well run and could not survive any longer at its current rates without jeopardizing its operations,” says Mayor Jeff Martin. “Under the new rate, each Hamilton residential ratepayer would only spend $1.07 per day for their sewer service.  This increase will solidify the utility’s financial position to ensure continued and uninterrupted service for our residents.  Hamilton has seen what happens when a township neglects a utility and I cannot permit that to happen here in Hamilton.”

Hamilton operates a regional wastewater treatment facility serving residents of both Hamilton and Robbinsville. The sewage is ultimately treated at Hamilton’s Water Pollution Control plant before being discharged into Crosswicks Creek. Hamilton and Robbinsville have had a joint sewer agreement since 1976.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

UPDATE: Garbage Truck Vs Bike

May 15, 2020

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On May 14, 2020, at approximately 4:30pm, a motor vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of S. Olden Ave and Graffam Ave.  A Waste Management vehicle, driven by a 53 year old male from Bristol, Pennsylvania, was making a right turn from S. Olden Ave north bound on to east bound Graffam Ave when the bicyclist was struck as the Waste Management truck was making the turn.  The bicyclist, a 56 year old male from Hamilton, suffered a serious leg injury and was transported to Capital Health at Fuld for treatment.

The crash is still under investigation and any witnesses are asked to contact Officer D. Hendricksen of the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609)581-4000.

Information may also be left anonymously on the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at 609-581-4008.