Investigation leads to arrests of 12 for drug distribution
BY BRETT LAKE
NEWTON — Police have arrested 12 people following a months-long investigation into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in the Newton area.
Detectives from the Sussex County Guns, Gangs and Narcotics Task Force and the Newton Police Department conducted the investigation.
The alleged narcotics activity occurred around the Merriam Gateway Apartments, located in the unit block of Sparta Avenue.
Tina Cafarelli, 41, of Newton, is charged with one count of distribution of crack cocaine.
Charity Thompson, 19, of Newton, is charged with two counts of distribution of heroin.
James Castimore, 49, of Newton, is charged with one count of distribution of heroin.
Ryan Coyle, 28, of Newton, is charged with one count of distribution of heroin.
Ion Hutchins, 42, of East Orange, NJ, is charged with two counts of distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia, and a disorderly persons offense.
Police seized 246 bags of heroin and 4.35 grams of crack cocaine from Hutchins’ arrest.
Colvin Cumberbatch, 30, of Plainfield, NJ, is charged with three counts of distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone.
Police seized 217 bage of heroin and 9.6 grams of crack cocaine from Cumberbatch.
Matthew Delgado, 22, of Newton, is charged with one count of distribution of heroin.
Daniel Stoll, 26, of Newton, is charged with two counts of distribution of heroin and crack cocaine.
Richard Cowan, 50, of Newton, is charged with one count of aiding in the distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.
Hutchins, Cumberbatch, Delgado, Stoll and Cowan are all taken to the Sussex County Jail.
Three of the twelve people arrested were also charged with the robbery and theft that occurred at the apartment complex on March 11, according to police.
Jhessyca Owens, 25, of Newton; Cornelius Schneider, 20, of Newton, and Ryan Forbeck, 27, of Sussex, are each charged with robbery and theft. Owens also faces one count of distribution of heroin. The three were taken to the Sussex County Jail.
Around 9:28 p.m., March 11, Owens allegedely went of the victim’s residence in the unit block of Merriam Avenue, where she offered to perform sexual acts on the man in return for money, according to police.
When the man declined, Owens attempted to steal his wallet, according to police.
During a struggle, Schneider and Forbeck entered the residence and assaulted the victim, according to police. They also stole the man’s wallet which contained $400.
The victim sustained injuries to his face, arms and legs. He refused medical treatment, police said.
The narcotics investigation led police to the robbery suspects.
Police believe that the suspects may be involved in additional crimes in the area, which includes a stolen vehicle and a burglary in March.
The stolen vehicle was a 1996 Pontiac, which was stolen from the Merriam Gateway Apartments.
The investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newton Police Department at 973-383-2525.