May 16, 2002
Trenton,
NJ — Twenty-one individuals were arrested today during a drug sweep in Trenton
that touched all four wards, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto
announced.
The
Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit, led by Lt. Al Paglione,
and the Trenton Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, led by Lt.
Jim Nemeth, began making arrests this morning at about 8:30 a.m. through a
combination of surveillance and undercover buys.
An estimated $2,250 of drugs was seized, including 10 grams of crack cocaine, 20 bags of heroin, eight grams of powder cocaine and marijuana. A 1996 Toyota Camry and approximately $4,600 in cash were also confiscated.
“This
investigation demonstrates that we will vigorously pursue street-level drug
sales along with major interdiction efforts,” Prosecutor Giaquinto stated.
“With the advent of summer approaching, we want to send a message to
the community that we will not tolerate open-air drug dealing.”
Those
arrested and charged with various drug offenses were: Joel Rodriguez Gonzalez,
20, of the 300 block of Third Street, Trenton; Dana Ann Kutchera, 19, of the
first block of Valentine Lane, Levittown, Pa.; Rocky Angeloni, 21, the 7000
block of Huber Drive, Morrisville, Pa.; Michael J. Watters, 20, of the first
block of Braintree Common, Holland, Pa.; Kevin Bethea, 39, of the first block of
South Logan Avenue, Trenton; Ikeylia G. Melvin, 24, of the first block of Wood
Street, Trenton; Prentice M. Rosario, 45, of the 500 block of Second Street,
Trenton; Darnell D. Stafford, 19, of the 1200 block of Martin Luther King
Boulevard, Trenton; Brian E. Scott, 35, of the first block of Charles Way,
Trenton; Robert Lee Patterson, 35, of the 400 block of Stuyvesant Avenue,
Trenton; Curtis Jackson, 49, of the 100 block of Exton Avenue, Trenton; Robert
L. Wilson, 31, of the first block of Maple Avenue, Trenton; Itekya Whysha Couch,
24, of the 600 block of North Clinton Avenue, Trenton; David Anthony Hill, 35,
of the first block of North Olden Avenue, Trenton; Leroy J. Wilkins, 20, of the
100 block of South Cook Avenue, Trenton; Eric Donta Johenkins, 18, of the first
block of Wilderson Place, Trenton; Angel H. Cartagena, 22, of the first block of
Charlotte Avenue, Hamilton; Nelson C. Velez, 47, of the 500 block of East State
Street, Trenton; Mark T. Newlin, 35, of the 100 block of Robbins Avenue,
Trenton; Luis Manuel Alvarez, 45, of the first block of Carroll Street, Trenton;
and Alexander J. Lopez, 25, of the first block of Lakeside Avenue, Trenton.
Despite
having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.