George Washington pleads guilty in Morristown to drug charge, again

George Washington pleaded guilty Monday to a drug charge that could send him to state prison for 18 years, depending on the outcome of other cases pending against him.

“I’m disappointed because you’re back here in an orange jumpsuit. And you were doing quite well for awhile,” state Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna told George R. Washington, 61, of Whippany, in the Morris County Courthouse.

Hanna previously handled Washington’s case in Recovery Court. Also known as Drug Court, the program gives nonviolent offenders an alternative to prison if they successfully complete therapies to overcome substance abuse.

But searches of Washington, his vehicle and a Morristown residence led to his arrest in May on a second-degree charge of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, along with third- and fourth-degree drug and money laundering charges, including heroin possession with intent to distribute.

In exchange for Washington’s guilty plea to the second-degree offense, Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Bridget Carr agreed to drop the other counts. At sentencing next month, she will request a flat five-year sentence — to be served consecutively with sentences Washington could face for allegedly violating probation stipulations of Recovery Courts in Warren County (maximum: eight years) and Morris County (up to five years).

Assistant Deputy Public Defender Haley Levinson is expected to argue for Washington’s sentence to be served concurrently with other jail time.

At sentencing Washington also will face more than $2,000 in fines.

In a separate deal accepted Monday by the judge, Washington pleaded guilty to a disorderly persons offense, downgraded from failure to hand over cocaine to police during a motor vehicle stop in Mendham Township in February.

Morris Assistant Prosecutor Noelle Fiorentino seeks more than $500 in fines as penalties for that plea. Other motor vehicle charges, including drunk driving, still are pending in municipal court, according to Washington’s lawyer for that case, John Velez.

“George, you look like you looked when you were doing well,” Hanna told Washington. “I hope you get back on track. I’m really sorry we have to have this hearing, frankly.”

In 2016, Washington was sentenced as a repeat offender to eight years after pleading to a pair of drug offenses.

He was among 25 people arrested that year by a task force launched when Morristown police developed information alleging Washington and his brother, Ronald G. Washington, then 56, of Dover, were importing heroin and cocaine from Paterson for sale in Morristown, Victory Gardens and Dover.