September 12, 2000

OPERATION CLEAR PATH II NETS 29 ARRESTS 

 The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office continued its efforts to clear drug dealers and their customers away from schools with the arrest of 29 drug distributors and offenders, announced Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto. 

            According to Prosecutor Giaquinto, the Special Investigations Unit of the Prosecutor’s Office initiated a series of school zone buy-bust operations during June, July and August resulting in the seizure of cocaine, heroin and marijuana with a street value of approximately $3,700, one vehicle used by a drug dealer and $2000 in cash.  The operation, dubbed “Clear Path II”, “was generated by community complaints and was designed to create a “clear path” for students prior to the start of the school year.  Students have the right to walk to school and play in the schoolyard without having to contend with drug dealers and those who seek to purchase drugs, “ said Giaquinto. 

            Operation Clear Path II was concentrated in the areas of the Parker School and Hedgepeth Williams Middle School. 

            The Special Investigations Unit, led by Lt. Al Paglione, was assisted by the West Windsor Police Department. 

            Arrested on drug charges as a result of a June 6 buy-bust operation  were: Kory Brown, age 20, of the 1300 block of West State Street, Trenton; Timothy Harrell, age 52, of the 100 block of Steamboat Street, Trenton; and, Daniel McWhite, age 20, of the 100 block of Asbury Street, Trenton. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a June 15 buy-bust operation were: Angelina Martin, age 22, of Rt. 130, Bordentown; Jose Rodriguez, age 19, of the 200 block of Third Street, Trenton; Robert Bailey, age 46, of the 1000 block of Chestnut Street, Trenton; Donald Robinson, age 28, of the 1000 block of Chestnut Avenue, Trenton; Michael Montervino, age 42, of the 500 block of Emery Avenue, Trenton; and, a juvenile. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a June 27 buy-bust operation were: Sylvia Mura, age 41, of the 100 block of E. Cleveland Avenue, Morrisville; and, Mario Harden, age 28, of the 200 block of Coolidge Avenue, Trenton. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a July 5 buy-bust operation were: David Butler, age 20, of the 200 block of Garfield Avenue, Trenton; Darrell Aste, age 43, of the 200 block of Furman Street, Trenton; and, Joseph Cruz, age 25, of the 400 block of Centre Street, Trenton. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a July 7 buy-bust operation was Gerald Wyker, age 31, of Indian Red Road in Levittown. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a July 13 buy-bust operation were: Lamont Dennis, age 38, of Wood Street, Trenton; and, Cassandra Edwards, age 22, of the 800 block of Stuyvesant Avenue, Trenton. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a July 21 buy-bust operation were: Earnest Scott, age 24, of South Logan Avenue, Trenton; and Michael Schlosser, age 33, of Central Avenue, Morrisville; Brian Dahl, age 25, of the 200 block of Plaza Avenue, Morrisville; and, Kevin Montgomery, age 39, of the 100 block of New Rose Street, Trenton. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a July 23 buy-bust operation were: Shone Bradley, age 30, of the 100 block of Centre Street, Trenton; Paulette Schaner, age 36, of the 200 block of McClellan Avenue, Hamilton; and, Steven King, age 28, of the 700 block of Monmouth Street, Trenton. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of an August 23 buy-bust operation were: Sandra Treadwell, age 45, of the 100 block of Alden Avenue, Trenton; Lamont Matthews, age 27, of the 500 block of West State Street, Trenton; and, Christopher Whittington, age 36, of the 100 block of Murry Street, Trenton. 

Arrested on drug charges as a result of a August 24 buy-bust operation were: John Harris, age 33, of the 300 block of Union Street, Trenton; and, a juvenile. 

            Prosecutor Giaquinto indicated that the majority of offenses were third degree crimes carrying a possible term of incarceration of 3 to 5 years.  The Prosecutor also noted that where the drug buyers were in a car when purchasing   drugs, a drivers’ license revocation would be sought at sentencing. 

            “Drug dealers and their customers should beware that schools and the areas surrounding them are safe havens where children must be free from the activities of the drug culture,” said Giaquinto.  The Prosecutor indicated that Operation Clear Path would be an on-going drug interdiction effort throughout the school year.  Prosecutor Giaquinto also encouraged citizens to contact their local police or the Prosecutor’s confidential Drug Free Tip Hotline at 989-6411 if they see any drug activity near a school.