2 From Parsippany Charged In Drug Trafficking Ring: Prosecutor

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Seventeen people from across northern New Jersey, including two from Parsippany, face charges in connection to a large, multi-county drug ring that operated in Morris County, Morris County Prosecutor Fredrick M. Knapp said on Wednesday.

The charges come after a nearly two-year investigation into the distribution of cocaine in and around the county, Knapp said. That ring was allegedly led by Michael "Brian" Swanson, 41, from Hackensack.

Officials searched Swanson's home and the home of two of his associates on Monday, Knapp said. The investigation turned up 150 grams of cocaine, drug packaging materials, $5,200 in cash and four cars.

“This Office remains steadfast in its efforts to battle drug distribution throughout Morris County. I am extremely proud of the efforts and cooperation of all agencies involved," Knapp said.

The following 17 people were charged:

Michael Swanson (aka “Brian”), 41, from Hackensack. Swanson was charged with:

• Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network
• Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
• 15 Counts of Possession of Cocaine
• 14 Counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine
• 14 Counts of Distribution of Cocaine

Keisha Swanson, 42, from Hackensack:

• Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine

Joanny Peon, (aka “JoJo”), 38, from Paterson:

• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
• 9 Counts of Possession of Cocaine
• 9 Counts of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 9 Counts of Distribution of Cocaine

James Gaita, 29, from Paterson:

• Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
• 5 Counts of Possession of Cocaine
• Count of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• Count of Distribution of Cocaine
• 4 Counts of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 4 Counts of Distribution of Cocaine

Michael and Keisha Swanson, Peon, and Gaita are lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and will have a pretrial detention hearing on Dec. 20.

Monique Colon, 28, from Ringwood, Federico Bado, 35 of Roselle, and Silvana Ferreira, 33 of Ringwood, David S. Ruddy, 38 of Metuchen, and Cecile J. Aponte, 33, from Paterson, all face the following charges:

• Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
• Count of Possession of Cocaine
• Count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine
• Count of Distribution of Cocaine

All three were released from the Morris County Correctional Facility with conditions. Ruddy and Aponte remain at large.

Roger Kelly, 70, from Hamburg, and Frank Oliver, 52 of Boonton, were both charged with:

• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
• Count of Possession of Cocaine

Both were released from the Morris County Correctional Facility with conditions.

The following were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and released from custody with conditions:

• Eileen Brennan, 52, from Lake Hiawatha
• Devon Miles, 53, from Boonton
• Kenneth Poust, 52, from Wantage
• Melinda Romero-Bonilla, 30, from Dover

The following were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine but remain at-large, police say:

• Keith Andreasen, 46 of Ogdensburg
• William Stivaly, 59 of Lake Hiawatha

Image via Morris Co. Prosecutor's Office