Judge orders detention of man arrested in Morris Township; accused of aiming cocked gun at ex-girlfriend

Top L-R: Superior Court Judge Thomas Critchley, defendant Steven Retana. Bottom L-R: Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Sparano, Assistant Public Defender Wayne Morse, virtual hearing, May 27, 2021. Screenshot by Kevin Coughlin
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A man arrested last weekend in Morris Township on weapons- and drug charges had threatened to shoot an ex-girlfriend and her family in Rockaway Township, pointing a gun at her through the window of her vehicle as she attempted to drive to the police, according to a prosecutor.

Steven Retana, 21, “then cocked the gun and only stopped when his friend pushed his arm out of the way and told him to leave it,” Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Sparano said Thursday, asking Superior Court Judge Thomas Critchley Jr. to keep Retana in the Morris County Jail pending trial.

Critchley obliged, calling evidence for detention “clear and convincing.”

Retana was arrested Saturday without incident at an apartment on Lindsley Drive, where authorities he was living. Initially, they listed his address as Wharton.

A handgun was found behind a sofa, and $2,000 in cash and 50 oxycodone pills were found in Retana’s bedroom, Sparano said via Zoom.

Police arrested Retana–on parole for a prior simple assault–after a pair of incidents in which he allegedly menaced people with a handgun.  The following allegations are based on Sparano’s testimony.

Steven Retana, at virtual detention hearing, May 27, 2021. Screenshot by Kevin Coughlin

At a party in Dover on May 9, 2021, a person approached Retana and a friend and commented about a social media posting. Retana responded by pulling a handgun from his fanny pack, aiming it at the person, and saying “he was going to kill him.”  The friend, who is the victim’s nephew, intervened.

On May 22, Retana argued with his ex-girlfriend over the phone about finances, and threatened her and her family.  As she was about to drive to Rockaway Township police, he arrived with his gun. Police later found a 9 millimeter cartridge at the scene.

‘POLITE AND WELL SPOKEN’

Deputy Assistant Public Defender Wayne Morse asked the judge to release Retana to the custody of a Landing couple connected with the Morris County Drug Court.

Morse described Retana as the product of a broken home, who came to New Jersey from Ohio as a teen. His father was “sent back to Costa Rica,” and his mother has small children from another relationship, who Retana helps support with his job selling solar panels, Morse said.

“He’s polite, he’s well spoken. I certainly haven’t seen any anger issues or anything come out,” said the lawyer.

He said the assistant prosecutor had not shown any fingerprints or DNA linking Retana to the weapon, nor had anyone even proven Retana lives at the Morris Township residence where he was arrested.

Retana did not resist arrest–or harm the alleged victims, Morse added.

“No one was as much as touched or scratched. So it’s somewhat inconsistent to say he’s, you know about to erupt, but didn’t.”

‘Active investigation’: Authorities in parking lot of the Westin Governor Morris in Morris Township, May 22, 2021. They were there to investigate accused gunman Steven Retana. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

But Sparano recited a history of convictions and probation violations for Retano.

There are convictions for simple assault against another victim, resulting in a restraining order, and for terroristic threats against that victim’s friend when she tried to intervene.

Retano also has a 2018 conviction for aggravated assault against a corrections officer. And his juvenile record includes an aggravated assault on a school employee, Sparano said.

Retano is barred from possessing guns because of his criminal record, she said.

“I think there’s a significant risk that this defendant will be a danger to the victims in this case, as well as the community at large should Your Honor release him,” Sparano said.

In the May 9 incident, Retano is charged with second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, three counts of certain persons not to possess weapons, terroristic threats, aggravated assault for pointing a firearm, and contempt of a restraining order.

He faces the same charges for the May 22 episode.

From the Lindsley Drive search, Retano was charged with three more counts of certain persons not to possess weapons, contempt, as well as drug possession, and drug possession with intent to distribute.

Another hearing is scheduled next month, before Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor.

 

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