3-Year Prison Sentence For Man With Guns In Morristown Plaza

MORRISTOWN – The man who wandered through Headquarters Plaza in Morristown with two handguns, illegal ammunition, a bulletproof vest and handcuffs has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Andrew Pfitzenmayer, 27, of Peapack, will serve at least one year of his term without parole eligibility, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced Monday.

Pfitzenmayer was arrested July 29 when police responded to a person “acting suspiciously” in the Hyatt’s business area, where a movie theatre, daycare center, and dining options are located. Pfitzenmayer was found with two Glock 9MM handguns, a bag of handcuffs, fake badge, bulletproof vest, and hollow-point bullets.

He pleaded guilty on Oct. 27 to second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun.

After Pfitzenmayer’s arrest and subsequent posting of bail, Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty held a press conference calling on other town leaders and the state legislature to require mandatory psychiatric evaluations prior to allowing anyone accused of illegally carrying weapons out of jail.

Morris County Sheriff Ed Rochford also made his voice heard over the summer, saying someone like Pfitzenmayer, carrying those objects, was “up to no good,” and that he echoed the sentiments of many residents who reached out to his office asking for better security and legislation on matters similar to these.