George Washington arrested in Morris raids on ‘prolific drug network’

By Kevin Coughlin

Six Morristown residents — including George Washington — were among 24 people arrested this week in a series of raids on suspected heroin and cocaine dealers in Morris and Passaic counties.

A three-month investigation focused on members of the Washington family, based on information developed by Morristown police, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

More than 1,400 folds of heroin and about 55 grams of cocaine were seized, along with 11 vehicles, $33,500 in cash, handgun ammunition, and assorted drug-elated materials, during court-authorized raids on March 13-14, 2016, Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said in a statement.

“This investigation uncovered a prolific drug trafficking network that distributed cocaine and heroin on the streets of Morris County,” Knapp said.

“The widespread distribution of heroin has a detrimental impact on the lives of all citizens of Morris County. It remains a priority of this Office to target those offenders responsible for spreading this deadly narcotic drug throughout our communities.”

Investigators from the prosecutor’s office and a narcotics task force zeroed in on brothers Ronald G. “Tank” Washington, 56, of Dover, and George “G.W.” Washington, 51, of Morristown, who they suspected of importing heroin and cocaine from Prentice “Prince” Melton, 47, of Clifton, for sale in Morristown, Victory Gardens, Dover and surrounding areas.

They face numerous drug possession-, conspiracy- and intent to distribute charges. The Washington brothers are lodged in the Morris County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail apiece (no 10 percent option), set by Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Taylor.  Melton is there, too, in lieu of $200,000 bail, no 10 percent.

Other family members arrested included Michael A. “Raheem” Washington, 51, of Dover; and Robert L. “Robbie” Washington, 49, of Morristown.

They are among eight suspects who allegedly were part of the distribution network.

The rest, including Morristown residents William A. Bryant Jr., 50; Otis L. Davis,  57; and Korey E. Holloway, 41, are accused of being customers of the dealers.

In all, people from eight municipalities were arrested. One suspect, Jessica L. Debonis, 30, of Flanders, remains at large.

Here is the complete list of those charged:

The Alleged Ring:
1. Prentice Melton (aka “Prince”), age 47, of Clifton, NJ. (arrested)
2. Ronald G. Washington (aka “Trank”), age 56, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
3. George R. Washington (aka “GW”), age 51, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
4. Michael A. Washington (aka “Raheem”), age 54, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
5. Robert L. Washington (aka “Robbie”), age 49, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
6. Deborah A. Jones (aka “Auntie”), age 61, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
7. Derrell A. Jones, age 31, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
8. David W. Jones (aka “Bones”), age 58, of Dover, NJ (arrested)

Alleged Customers:

9. Randy Gwaltney (aka “Pee Wee”), age 44, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
10. William A. Bryant, Jr., age 50, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
11. Gregory Blayer, age 34, of Flanders, NJ (arrested)
12. Otis L. Davis, age 57, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
13. Andrew W. Mistkowski, age 50, of Randolph, NJ (arrested)
14. Jennie E. Maccario, age 36, of Hopatcong, NJ (arrested)
15. Jessica L. Debonis, age 30, of Flanders, NJ (at large)
16. Melissa A. Lapinski, age 36, of Budd Lake, NJ (arrested)
17. Richard J. Hillabrant, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
18. Korey E. Holloway, age 41, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)
19. Carla J. Forgione, age 44, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
20. Sheyne V. Jordan, age 45, of Rockaway, NJ (arrested)
21. Marcelo Fabian, age 44, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
22. Stephen Rudolph, age 59, of Glen Gardner, NJ (arrested)
23. Lauren M. Ellis-White, age 52, of Dover, NJ (arrested)
24. Brandon L. White, age 22, Dover, NJ (arrested)
25. Ashon J. Hackett-Taylor, age 22, of Morristown, NJ (arrested)

Here is a list of the charges they face.

The investigation was led by Officer Edward Zienowicz of the Morris County Narcotics Task Force and Morristown Detective Scott Pino.  Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan is handling the prosecution.

Members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Park Police, the Passaic and Bergen county prosecutors’ offices, and the State Police assisted the investigation, along with police from Morris Township, Morris Plains and 22 other departments.

“The cooperation of numerous state, county and local law enforcement agencies throughout northern New Jersey made this hugely successful operation possible,” said Knapp.