Morris County Prosecutor's Office

A moment in history for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office – the 1990 opening of the headquarters of the Special Enforcement Unit, or S.E.U., and Narcotic Task Force. The dedication ceremony for the S.E.U.  facility occurred on December 12, 1999. The nearly $2 million-dollar building acts as the main center for narcotics investigations. The facility, which is approximately 11,500 square feet, bombproof, fireproof, and armed, serves as a location for drug officers to investigate cases and at the time it opened, provide in-service training for staff. The location of the facility is confidential. The MCPO contributed $570,000 towards its construction, allocated from drug money forfeitures, hence the Star Ledger headline, “Drug Money Helps Build Narcotics Squad Center.” SEU officers tend to work long and off hours, so “having a nice office with your own desk and the most modern equipment should make the work more pleasant and rewarding” according to the star ledger. Prosecutor W. Michael Murphy was joined for the dedication by Attorney General Robert J. Del Tufo, U.S. Attorney Honorable Michae Chertoff, Congressman Dean Gallo, and many other honorable government officials from Morris County and throughout New Jersey. “The opening of this facility represents the bona fide commitment of the New jersey and Morris County law enforcement community t step up the war on drugs…,” according to a statement released by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on December 4, 1990. #MorrisCounty #MorrisCountyHistory #MorrisCountyProsecutorBicentennial

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Morris County Prosecutor’s Office PBA 327 Participates in Backpack Giveaway Program On August 16, 2024, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office joined the SOAR (Student Outreach and Academic Reinforcement), Spring Street CDC, and Table of Hope Backpack Giveaway event, providing backpacks and school supplies to local kids. The event was held at the Community College of Morris in Randolph. In advance of the giveaway, New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Local No. 327, which represents Detectives serving in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO), made a $250 donation towards the program for the purchase of backpacks. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said, “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to assisting our community in tangible ways, especially when it comes to helping our students be prepared for the classroom. I commend members of our office, PBA No. 327, and our community partners who made this giveaway a success.”

The 1980’s saw a cultural phenomenon wherein grisly attacks and vandalism were attributed to obsession with the occult, colloquially known as “Satanic Panic.” A 1988 incident in Jefferson Township captured national headlines when investigators pointed to a young teenager’s interest in the occult as a potential motive for a heinous murder. On Jan. 9, Tommy Sullivan Jr., 14, killed his mother, Betty Ann, and set fire to his home before taking his own life. His younger brother and father, who were both in the house sleeping at the time, managed to escape. When investigators searching the house, books and other objects pointing to Satan worship and interest in the occult were discovered. Prosecutor Lee S. Trumbull was quoted in the Association Press in February 1988 commenting “there were no apparent problems until about a month ago when he began reading these books and tension began developing in the house…apparently brought on by being influenced by these Satan books.” Prosecutor Trumbull announced Tommy acted alone, without outside mentors, and investigators found a suicide note believed to have been written days in advance of the violence. Local police investigated whether or not there was a satanic cult operating in town, finding no evidence of such an operation, and offered educational programs for children on their potential dangers. #MorrisCounty #MorrisCountyHistory #MorrisCountyProsecutorBicentennial

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office says farewell to our interns who participated in the summer program! We thank our hard-working volunteers for their service, and hope they learned more about law enforcement and the criminal justice system during their time spent with us. We wish them well in their continuing education, and future careers! Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said, “Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and contributions have not gone unnoticed, and the members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office are grateful for the fresh perspectives and energy that you have brought to our office this summer. As you move on to the next chapter in your life, remember the experience and insights you’ve gained from your time with us, they will serve you well.”

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Participates in National Night Out 2024 Despite the rainy weather, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office joined Morris County residents for the annual National Night Out. Attendees were able to meet with members of law enforcement who serve in their respective communities for a night filled with entertainment, activities, and food. Morris County Prosecutor’s Office members participated in National Night Out events at four locations on August 6 - in Rockaway Borough, Butler, Morris Plains, and Madison. MCPO members had tables set up and provided public safety information, as well as fun giveaways for kids.

Morris County Law Enforcement Awarded Commendations for Baby Mary Investigation On April 23, 2024, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon issued commendations to members of the MCPO Major Crimes Unit, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Mendham Township Police Department, for their work for the successful investigation and prosecution of the Baby Mary homicide cold case. The commendations were presented during a ceremony on August 6, 2024. The following members were honored: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office • Deputy Chief Jan- Michael Monrad • Chief Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn • Lieutenant (retired) Greg Rossi • Lieutenant Michael Gomez • Sergeant Matthew Magnone • Sergeant Sasha Gould • Sergeant Steve Gangi • Detective Supervisor Muhammad Thomas • Detective Dakota Keyworth • Detective Melissa Atoche • Detective Matthew Belcastro • Detective Gregory Federici Mendham Township Police Department • Chief Ross Johnson • Lieutenant Steven Bittman • Sergeant Matthew Ambrosi • Detective James Arnesen Morris County Sheriff’s Office • Detective Sergeant Max Englert • Detective Rosemary Brown • Detective Andreas Zaharopoulos New Jersey State Police • Forensic Scientist Chrissy Schlkner, NJSP Lab The body of an abandoned newborn baby, named “Baby Mary,” was discovered in the Mendham Township woods by two boys on Christmas Eve in 1984. At the time of her discovery, the baby girl’s umbilical cord was still attached, and the Medical Examiner determined the infant had been alive at the time of her birth. The death was ruled a homicide. Over the last four decades, investigators from the MCPO and the Mendham Police Department have vigorously pursued every lead to identify Baby Mary and learn more about the circumstances leading to her discovery in the woods. Using new technology, law enforcement networking in three states, and old-fashioned police work, investigators were able to identify Baby Mary’s biological father and mother in 2023. The biological father passed away prior to being identified by investigators. There is no evidence the biological father was aware of the pregnancy, or Baby Mary’s birth or death. As a result of the diligent work of MCPO investigators and Mendham Township Police, a juvenile delinquency complaint was filed against the biological mother of Baby Mary on April 24, 2023. Mary Catherine Crumlich was a juvenile at the time of her birth. On February 28, 2024, Crumlich entered a guilty plea to Manslaughter, an offense which would be a second degree crime if committed by an adult. On April 3, 2024, the Hon. Michael P. Wright, J.S.C. imposed a disposition of probation conditioned upon 364 days imprisonment at the Morris County Correctional Facility. To view the case press conference, visit: https://ow.ly/jg2z50SSSmg

On March 22, 1933, a bomb went off in the car of Morris Langer, a strike organizer and leader of the Communist Party. He later died from his injuries, memorized in a statement by the Communist party reading “Langer was murdered by hired thugs because of his activities in organizing fur workers to fight for better conditions.” Under Prosecutor Orville V. Meslar, Jacob Shulman of Newark was arraigned for murder, accused of placing the bomb while the car was parked in Langer’s Chatham Township garage. Shulman was released on bail pending review by a grand jury. Years later, Shulman’s body was found nearly decapitated and badly decomposed, clad in a pinstriped suit, on September 29, 1938, in a wooded area of Berkley Heights. #MorrisCounty #MorrisCountyHistory #MorrisCountyProsecutorBicentennial

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