County Prosecutor

October 24 James Sweller, 29, of Newton, entered a guilty plea to a charge of violating the terms of his Community Supervision For Life. Sweller, a previously convicted sex offender, was ordered by the court to comply with the terms of Community Supervision for Life. Sweller admitted to the court that on Aug. 22, he had violated the terms by having a new arrest, failing to notify his parole officer of the new arrest, consuming alcoholic beverages and failing to participate in substance abuse and mental health counseling. The case was investigated by Senior Parole Office Ryan Andresen and the Newton Police Department. Sweller is currently out on a $2,500 bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9. Jose Cartaya, 42, of Newton, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted person. Cartaya admitted to the court that on July 19, he had in his possession a Winchester shotgun. Cartaya also admitted that he had been previously convicted of a domestic violence simple assault charge in the Newton Municipal Court and was prohibited from possessing the shotgun. The case was investigated by Newton Police Department. Cartaya is scheduled to be sentenced next month. David Gesauldo, 23, of Milford, Penn., pleaded guilty to prescription fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9. Gesauldo admitted going to a pharmacy in Branchville and picking up a prescription for 30 hydromorphine tablets that had been called in by another individual representing himself as a staff member of a doctor’s office. October 25 Ryan S. Johnson, 29, of Newton, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Sentencing is to take place next month. Johnson was charged with being under the influence, possession of a controlled dangerous drug and firing his rifle, causing damage to a nearby residence October 26 A Sussex County Grand Jury handed up the following indictments: Robert Emanuel, of Montague, for issuing bad checks. The case was investigated by Lt. Diane Hemschot of the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office. The Grand Jury alleges that on Sept. 13, 2004, Emanuel issued checks from his business checking account knowing the bank would not honor them. Arraignment before the Superior Court in Newton is to take place within the next six weeks. Mark A. Stevens, 29, of Stanhope, for issuing bad checks. The case was investigated by Lt. Diane Hemschot of the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office. The Grand Jury alleges that on Nov. 11, Stevens issued a check from his personal checking account knowing the bank would not honor it. Ryan T. McConachy, 24, of Newton, for theft. The case was investigated by Ptl. Steven Benson of the Newton Police Department The Grand Jury alleges that on Nov. 27, McConachy took an envelope containing $700 from a van. Grand Jury indictments are charges only. The defendants are presumed innocent until guilt may be proved at a jury trial.