Massive Cocaine and Heroin Distribution Ring Busted In Morris County: Prosecutor

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Twenty-four Morris County-area residents and a ringleader from Passaic County were busted this week for their alleged roles in a massive cocaine and heroin distribution ring, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced.

From Dec. 2015 to March 2016, authorities investigated members of the Washington family of Morristown, namely brothers Ron and George, who were near the top of the pecking order, Knapp said.

The investigation revealed the brothers were being supplied significant amounts of heroin and cocaine from a source in Passaic County, later identified as Prentice Melton, 47, of Clifton, Knapp said.

On March 13 and 14 court-authorized warrants were executed and resulted in the arrests of 25 people, including the Washingtons and Melton. Others arrested were from Morris County towns including Morristown, Dover, Boonton, Budd Lake, Randolph, Flanders, Rockaway, and nearby towns including Glen Gardner and Hopatcong.

One of those charged, Jessica Debonis, 30, of Flanders, is still at large, Knapp said.

During the arrests authorities seized 1,400 folds of heroin; 55 grams of cocaine; $33,500 in cash, bullets, and various packaging and drug distribution material along with 11 vehicles, Knapp said.The list of those arrested and charged includes:

• Prentice Melton (aka “Prince”), age 47, of Clifton, NJ (arrested)
• Ronald G. Washington (aka “Trank”), age 56, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• George R. Washington (aka “GW”), age 51, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
• Michael A. Washington (aka “Raheem”), age 54, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• Robert L. Washington (aka “Robbie”), age 49, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
• Deborah A. Jones (aka “Auntie”), age 61, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• Derrell A. Jones, age 31, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• David W. Jones (aka “Bones”), age 58, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• Randy Gwaltney (aka “Pee Wee”), age 44, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• William A. Bryant, Jr., age 50, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
• Gregory Blayer, age 34, of Flanders, NJ (arrested)
• Otis L. Davis, age 57, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
• Andrew W. Mistkowski, age 50, of Randolph, NJ (arrested)
• Jennie E. Maccario, age 36, of Hopatcong, NJ (arrested)
• Jessica L. Debonis, age 30, of Flanders, NJ (at large)
• Melissa A. Lapinski, age 36, of Budd Lake, NJ (arrested)
• Richard J. Hillabrant, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
• Korey E. Holloway, age 41, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
• Carla J. Forgione, age 44, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
• Sheyne V. Jordan, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
• Marcelo Fabian, age 44, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• Stephen Rudolph, age 59, of Glen Gardner, NJ (arrested)
• Lauren M. Ellis-White, age 52, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
• Brandon L. White, age 22, Dover, NJ (arrested)
• Ashon J. Hackett-Taylor, age 22, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)

“This investigation uncovered a prolific drug trafficking network that distributed cocaine and heroin on the streets of Morris County,” Knapp said in a statement. “The widespread distribution of heroin has a detrimental impact on the lives of all citizens of Morris County. It remains a priority of this Office to target those offenders responsible for spreading this deadly narcotic drug throughout our communities. The cooperation of numerous state, county and local law enforcement agencies throughout northern New Jersey made this hugely successful operation possible.”