Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr. announce the arrests of several drug traffickers following an investigation into the importation and distribution of cocaine in Morris County and other counties.
Between January 2017 and December 2018, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit/Narcotics Task Force and detectives with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department received information that Michael Swanson and multiple associates were importing and distributing cocaine in Morris and surrounding counties.
As a result of the wide-ranging distribution network that Michael Swanson operated, directed and controlled, Court-ordered search and arrest warrants were executed on Dec. 17th, in Bergen County—where Michael Swanson lives, and Passaic County—where two of his associates live, by members of the Morris County Narcotics Task Force, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Tactical Narcotics Team, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office SWAT.
The investigation resulted in Court authorization for 17 arrests, the seizure of more than 150 grams of cocaine, various packaging and drug distribution related materials, and over $5,200 in United States currency. In addition, four vehicles used by Swanson and his network of drug distributors were seized.
The following is a list of individuals charged in the investigation:
Michael Swanson (aka “Brian”), 41, of Hackensack, NJ. (arrested)
Keisha Swanson, 42 of Hackensack, NJ (arrested)
Joanny Peon (aka “JoJo”), 38, of Paterson, NJ (arrested)
James Gaita, 29, of Paterson, NJ (arrested)
Monique Colon, 28, of Ringwood, NJ (arrested)
Federico Bado, 35 of Roselle, NJ (arrested)
Silvana Ferreira, 33 of Ringwood, NJ (arrested)
8. Eileen Brennan, 52, of Lake Hiawatha, NJ (arrested)
9. Devon Miles, 53, of Boonton, NJ (arrested)
Roger Kelly, 70, of Hamburg, NJ (arrested)
Kenneth Poust, 52, of Wantage, NJ (arrested)
Melinda Romero-Bonilla, 30, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
Frank Oliver, 52 of Boonton, NJ (arrested)
Cecile J. Aponte, 33 of Paterson, NJ (at-large)
David S. Ruddy, 38 of Metuchen, NJ (at-large)
Keith Andreasen, 46 of Ogdensburg, NJ (at-large)
William Stivaly, 59 of Lake Hiawatha, NJ (at-large)
The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. authorized the complaint warrants for the defendants, all of whom are subject to Criminal Justice Reform.
Prosecutor Knapp stated: “This investigation uncovered a far-reaching cocaine distribution network controlled, organized, and directed by Michael Swanson who employed several subordinates to travel throughout Morris County and surrounding counties in their quest to be a full-service drug distribution network. This network included Swanson’s customers who, in turn, were re-sellers that further distributed the cocaine in several locations. This Office remains steadfast in its efforts to battle drug distribution throughout Morris County. I am extremely proud of the efforts and
cooperation of all agencies involved. ”
Below is the table if charges:
Michael Swanson (aka “Brian”) was charged with one Count of Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network (1st degree), one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree), 15 Counts of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree) nine Counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), nine Counts of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree), 15 Counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree), five Counts of Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree). Swanson was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. Pursuant to Criminal Justice Reform, a motion for pretrial detention has been filed and will be heard on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
Keisha Swanson was charged with Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree). Keisha Swanson was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. Pursuant to Criminal Justice Reform, a motion for pretrial detention has been filed and will be heard on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
Joanny Peon, (aka “JoJo”) was charged with a Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree, nine Counts of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree), eight Counts of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree), eight Counts of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree), one Count of Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree). Joanny Peon was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. Pursuant to Criminal Justice Reform, a motion for pretrial detention has been filed and will be heard on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
James Gaita was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree), five Counts of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree), one Count of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree, four Counts of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (2nd degree), four Counts of Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree). James Gaita was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. Pursuant to Criminal Justice Reform, a motion for pretrial detention has been filed and will be heard on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
Monique Colon was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree)
Monique Colon was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions.
Federico Bado charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree).
Federico Bado was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions.
Silvana Ferreira charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree),, one Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree)
Silvana Ferreira was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions
Eileen Brennan charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree). Eileen Brennan was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions.
Devon Miles was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree). Devon Miles was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions.
Roger Kelly was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree), one Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree). Roger Kelly was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and was later released with conditions.
Kenneth Poust was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree), Kenneth Poust was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions.
Melinda Romero-Bonilla was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree). Melinda Romero-Bonilla was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions.
Frank Oliver was charged with One Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree), one Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree). Frank Oliver was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions.
Cecile J. Aponte (at-large) was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree).
David S. Ruddy (at-large) was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine (3rd degree), one Count of Distribution of Cocaine (3rd degree).
Keith Andreasen (at-large) was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree)
William Stivaly (at-large) was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree).
If you have information as to the whereabouts of the at-large defendants, please contact your local police department or the Morris County Communications Center at (973) 285-2900.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.