Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office

June 26 is observed as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to create awareness of drug addiction and illegal drug distribution. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office are committed to keeping our community safe from illegal drugs and illegal drug dealers. By educating the public on the harmful effects of illegal drug use and the consequences of illegal drug sales, both agencies hope to encourage those who need help to get help and prevent future drug use. There are many resources available to those struggling with addiction in Hunterdon County. Operation Helping Hand is a program that is grant-funded through the New Jersey Attorney General's Office whereby law enforcement officers play an active role in connecting clients suffering from opioid addiction with vital treatment, recovery, and/or support services. A form of support service is the utilization of a recovery coach who is connected with a client to assist them with linkage to detox, treatment, aftercare, and reintegration into the community. The Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office’s Hope One Van’s core mission is to offer education and lifesaving resources to those struggling with drug use and addiction by traveling around the community with substance use disorder information and resources, mental health information and resources, family guidance and support, harm reduction information and Naloxone information. For additional information on services available in Hunterdon, visit our website https://lnkd.in/eG5Mz4Xd For more information on Hope One visit: https://lnkd.in/eBXYN9ZA

Today marks Juneteenth, which commemorates June 19, 1864, when Gen. Gordon Granger and Union soldiers brought news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, and declared that all people in Confederate states must be freed. The soldier’s arrival came two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. For more information on Juneteenth, visit https://lnkd.in/e8XfsxRE

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and Chief of Detectives Timothy J. Drew announce the promotions of two detectives. Katherine Terhune was promoted to Detective Sergeant. DSG Terhune is currently assigned to the Forensic Services Unit and has formerly served in the Grand Jury Unit, Special Victims Unit, Criminal Investigations Unit, Narcotics Task Force, and also serves as a Child Passenger Safety Technician within the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office. DSG Terhune began her law enforcement career with the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office in 2013 after she earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Boston University. David Petelle was also promoted to Detective Sergeant. DSG Petelle joined the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office in October 2022 and has over fifteen years of law enforcement experience. During those years, he previously served as a Detective with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and a paralegal specialist with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Department of Homeland Security. Currently, DSG Petelle is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit, Bias Unit, and Humane Law Enforcement Unit, and is a member of the FACT team. DSG Petelle earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University–New Brunswick. DSG Terhune and DSG Petelle are skilled detectives, who have demonstrated their remarkable talents, dedication to the office, and commitment to public safety and the administration of justice in Hunterdon County. Congratulations! #hunterdoncounty

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office advise area residents to be aware of scammers posing as utility workers to gain access to residences. This type of scam has been reported nationally as well as within New Jersey. According to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the NJUA - New Jersey Utilities Association, these scams take many forms, but the typical scam will involve two workers knocking on the front door, claiming to be utility workers. One distracts the resident, perhaps to check a utility panel or meter, while the other roams free, robbing the dwelling of money or valuable items. The NJSACOP and the NJUA advise residents: Always ask for a company-issued photo ID. All utility employees in New Jersey carry company-issued photo ID badges.  Do not share your utility account numbers or other personal information. Legitimate technicians will not ask for this. Look for the corporate logo. All service personnel wear uniforms and drive company-branded vehicles with the company logo. Note the time. Technicians usually work regular business hours. If you are getting a knock at the door late at night or on weekends, and there is no apparent emergency, assume it is a scam. Never give money. Utility workers never collect money or credit card information from customers in the field.  If you suspect someone may be a utility imposter, close and lock your door, and immediately call 911. You should also contact your utility company to confirm whether service work is scheduled in your neighborhood. For more information on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities visit: https://www.nj.gov/bpu/ For more information on the New Jersey Utilities Association visit: https://njua.com/

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office work in partnership with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office and the New Jersey Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) to protect our #seniors from abuse, neglect, and fraud. Highlighted every June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about the abuse and neglect some older adults may experience. It serves as a reminder to take steps to prevent elder abuse and protect the rights and dignity of seniors worldwide. According to the National Council on Aging, about 1 in 10 Americans, age 60 and over, have suffered some form of elder abuse, either neglect or financial exploitation. If an older adult is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call 911. Anyone who suspects an older adult is being mistreated should contact the local Adult Protective Services Office or police. For more information on Adult Protective Services in Hunterdon County visit: https://lnkd.in/eD9sxS9c For information on the State Division of Aging Services visit: https://lnkd.in/eDNRNtUs To report Medicaid Fraud & Elder Abuse & Neglect, complete this form: https://lnkd.in/ek8q59gY and email it to [email protected] For additional information on the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor visit: https://lnkd.in/eXkNuTMt #elderabuse #Medicaid #hunterdoncounty

Last week, Prosecutor Robeson and Chief Drew attended the annual “Night of Thanks” event at Veteran’s Haven North. The event is held to show appreciation to those who support their mission of restoring dignity and purpose to those who have so unselfishly served our country. HCPO assists veterans through a number of diversionary programs and is currently working to establish a veterans crisis response team (VRT) to support those who have served. Veteran’s Haven North is a state of the art facility in a tranquil setting that supports homeless veterans and ensures they are treated and cared for in a dignified, compassionate, and professional manner to reach an optimal level of independence. Veteran's Haven North is funded by the State of New Jersey, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and supported by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and variety of service organizations, community agencies, veterans groups, and private citizens. For more information on Veterans Haven North visit: https://lnkd.in/e_AY4Khs #hunterdoncounty

Flag Day is celebrated each year on June 14th. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office celebrate the stars and stripes. On June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress passed an act establishing the official flag for the United States. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman officially declared June 14th as Flag Day. While the origin of the first American flag is unknown, some historians believe it was designed by New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross. To learn more about Flag Day and the history of the United States Flag, visit: https://lnkd.in/dDQGemk

After more than 16 years of dedicated service to the victims and witnesses of crime in Hunterdon County, Hunterdon County Victim Witness Coordinator Holly Hoff is pursuing other opportunities. Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and the entire staff of HCPO thank Holly and wish her the very best!   Joining HCPO as the new Victim Witness Coordinator is Luis Velazquez. Luis is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, and previously worked for the State of New Jersey Division of Children and Families. Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and the entire staff of HCPO welcome Luis to the office!

This morning, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and Chief of Detectives Timothy J. Drew attended the graduation of Detective Vincent Gambardella from the Sea Girt New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Academy. The twenty-week Basic Course for Investigators is a training program that covers general topics, such as investigative procedures essential to the successful investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of criminals. Components of the course include basic firearms training, search & seizure, criminal law enforcement techniques, defensive tactics, and physical conditioning training. Detective Gambardella is a graduate of Neumann University. During the summer of 2022, Detective Gambardella worked as an intern with the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office. Congratulations, Detective Gambardella! #hunterdoncounty

On Saturday, June 8th Prosecutor Robeson and members of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Operation Helping Hand participated in the 9th annual Hunterdon County Community Day. The event was held at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Ringoes. Many local organizations, municipalities, and businesses shared important information and resources. Operation Helping Hand is a program that is grant-funded through the New Jersey Attorney General's Office whereby law enforcement officers play an active role in connecting clients suffering from opioid addiction with vital treatment, recovery, and/or support services. A form of support service is the utilization of a recovery coach who is connected with a client to assist them with linkage to detox, treatment, aftercare, and reintegration into the community. For more information on Operation Helping Hand visit: https://lnkd.in/eG5Mz4Xd #hunterdoncounty