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Former Bank Employee Charged with Theft from the Bank Accounts of a Deceased Teaneck Resident

money_theridgewoodblog

July 8,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Teaneck NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of SHANNELL GRIGGS (DOB: 04/16/1990; single; and employed as a receptionist) of 354 Bryant Avenue, Syracuse, NY and GIVONNI BUTLER (DOB: 08/21/1989; single; and unemployed) of 27 Pine Street, Passaic, NJ on charges of Computer Related Theft, Theft By Deception, Impersonation, Money Laundering, Receiving Stolen Property, and Conspiracy. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Teaneck Police Department under the direction of Chief Glenn M. O’Reilly.

In December 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint of theft from the bank accounts of a recently deceased Teaneck resident. The executor of the decedent’s estate reported that the decedent’s bank accounts had been accessed by an unknown party and that approximately $375,000 had been stolen between 2015 and 2016.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Shannell GRIGGS, a bank employee, had unlawfully used the bank’s computerized account and customer service systems to access and take over the victim’s bank accounts. Shannell GRIGGS and her boyfriend, Givonni BUTLER, then stole approximately $375,000 through a combination of illicit debit card purchases, cash withdrawals, wire transfers, and cashier check purchases.

Shannell GRIGGS was arrested on June 29, 2018 in Syracuse, NY and charged with one count of Computer Related Theft, in an amount greater than $250,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25c, a 1st degree crime; one count of Impersonation For The Purpose Of Obtaining A Benefit, in an amount greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17a(1), a 2nd degree crime; one count of Theft By Deception, in an amount greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Financial Facilitation Of Criminal Activity, in an amount greater than $75,000 but less than $500,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25b(2), a 2nd degree crime. GRIGGS was taken into custody in Syracuse, NY on the New Jersey warrant and is awaiting extradition proceedings.

A warrant for the arrest of Givonni BUTLER was issued on July 3, 2018 and served on July 5, 2018 as a detainer, since BUTLER is currently serving a prison sentence in Pennsylvania on an unrelated matter. He was charged with one count of Receiving Stolen Property, with a value greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Conspiracy To Commit Computer Related Theft, in an amount greater than $5,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25c, a 2nd degree crime.

Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Acting Prosecutor Calo would like to thank the Teaneck and Syracuse Police Departments and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with this investigation.

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Glen Rock Postal Clerk Charged With Stealing Holiday Gift Cards

Ridgewood Post Office

January 4,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, On January 2, 2018, members of the Glen Rock PD Detective Bureau and a Special Agent from the Office of Inspector General US Postal Service arrested a mailroom clerk from the Ridgewood, NJ Post Office who had been working at the Glen Rock Post Office for stealing gift cards from holiday greeting cards. The incident occurred in October but additional incidents may have occurred throughout the holiday season.

This is an ongoing investigation and members of the public, particularly in the Glen Rock and Ridgewood area, who suspect they may have been the victim of mail theft are encouraged to contact the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General at 1-888-877-7644.

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PATERSON MAN CHARGED WITH IDENTITY THEFT AND RECORDS FRAUD

nj MVC drivers licenses

December 7,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of MOHAMAD KHALAIFEH (DOB: 8/13/1981; single; and unemployed) of 386 Getty Avenue, Apt 3, Paterson, New Jersey on Identity Theft and Tampering with Public Records charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.

In September 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission representatives who had identified KHALAIFEH as an individual who had provided the personal identifying information and documents of another person to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in order to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license. The fraud was identified as a result of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s ongoing anti-fraud initiative.

Upon receipt of the information, detectives conducted an investigation which revealed that KHALAIFEH had, in fact, received a New Jersey driver’s license as a result of fraud.

On December 4, 2017, KHALAIFEH was arrested at his residence in Paterson, New Jersey, and charged with one count of Obtaining a New Jersey Driver’s License/ Identification by Knowingly Displaying or Uttering the Personal Identifying Information and Documents of Another, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17.2a, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Tampering with Public Records with the Intent to Defraud, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-7a(2), a 3rd degree crime. KHALAIFEH was charged by way of a criminal complaint summons and was released pending his first appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Court on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.

Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt

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KEARNY MAN, CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT IN RIDGEWOOD

Brandon C

JULY 24, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of BRANDON C. RYAN (DOB: 07/30/1994; single; and unemployed) of 161 Devon Street, Kearny, New Jersey on charges of Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, and the Ridgewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Jacqueline Luthcke.

On July 16, 2017, the Ridgewood Police Department and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a 15-year old victim was sexually assaulted by Brandon RYAN on the previous day in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

As a result of the investigation, Brandon RYAN was arrested by the Kearny Police Department on Friday, July 21, 2017 and charged with one count of Sexual Assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(4), a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a, a 3rd degree crime. After being processed, Brandon C. RYAN was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, pending a first appearance at the Bergen County Central Judicial Court on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.

Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Ridgewood Police Department and the Kearny Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

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Mahwah Assistant fire Chief Charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor

Mahwah firefighters

file photo by Boyd Loving

July 7, 2017
the Ridgewood blog

Mahwah NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of BRIAN POTTER (DOB: 07/20/1977; Single; Department of Public Works employee) Mahwah assistant fire chief ,of 16 Island Road, Mahwah, New Jersey, on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault by Sexual Contact and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”) under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, and the Mahwah Police Department under the direction of Chief James BATELLI.

On July 4, 2017, the Mahwah Police Department and the BCPO received information that a ten-year-old victim was inappropriately touched by Brian POTTER in March 2017 in Mahwah, New Jersey.

Following subsequent investigation, Brian POTTER was arrested on Friday, July 7, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey, and charged with violating one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a(1), a 1st degree crime, one count of Sexual Assault by Sexual Contact, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2b, a 2nd degree crime, and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a., a 2nd degree crime. POTTER was lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending his arraignment, and is scheduled to appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court for a first appearance on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 1:30p.m.

Bergen County Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Mahwah Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

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N.J. immigration attorney charged with visa fraud, identity theft

illegal-immigrants

By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 07, 2017 at 2:45 PM, updated April 07, 2017 at 2:46 PM

An immigration attorney from New Jersey has been charged with visa fraud for submitting more than 150 phony forms on behalf of his clients in an effort to grant them an exception to stay in the country, authorities said.

Charles J. Lore, 43, of Denville, drafted the fraudulent I-129 forms in connection with applications for temporary non-immigrant worker visas, known as O-1 visas, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release.

https://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2017/04/nj_immigration_attorney_charged_with_visa_fraud.html#incart_river_home

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MAN CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE CRIMES RELATED TO AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MIDLAND PARK, NJ

midland Park Police

WEYAM RUSHDI OF JERSEY CITY CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE CRIMES RELATED TO AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MIDLAND PARK, NJ

December 13,2016

the staff of the Ridgewoood blog

Midland Park NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal has announced the arrest of WEYAM RUSHDI (DOB: 09/22/1980; single; and a student) of 33 Hudson Street, Apt. 2202 West, Jersey City, NJ on multiple charges in connection with an aggravated sexual assault that took place in Midland Park, NJ during the early morning hours of December 11, 2016. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, and the Midland Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael POWDERLEY.

On Sunday, December 11, 2016, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that an adult female victim walked into Midland Park Police Department and reported that she was physically and sexually assaulted in her residence by an intruder. An investigation by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit and Midland Park Police Department ensued.

As a result of the investigation, Weyam RUSHDI was arrested on Sunday, December 11, 2016 in Waldwick, New Jersey, and charged with the following offenses: one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault with a weapon, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14- 2a(4), a 1st degree crime; one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault during the commission of a Burglary, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a(3), a 1st degree crime; onecount of Kidnapping, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1b(2), a 1st degree crime; one count of Armed Burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2b, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a 2nd degree crime; one count of Terroristic Threats, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3a, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Terroristic Threats, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3b, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Possession of a Weapon with an Unlawful Purpose, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d, a 3rd degree crime; and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5c, a 4th degree crime. The Honorable Walter F. SKROD, J.S.C. of Bergen County set bail at $2,000,000.00 with no ten percent option. As conditions of bail, RUSHDI is to have no contact with the victim and surrender his passport. RUSHDI is scheduled to appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court for a firstappearance on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.

Bergen County Prosecutor Grewal states that the above charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Grewal would also like to thank the Midland Park Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

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College coach from Ridgewood charged with dozens of sexual offenses involving players

Kurt G

by Paul Milo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 09, 2015 at 10:24 PM, updated April 10, 2015 at 12:24 AM

A women’s college softball coach who lives in Ridgewood was charged Thursday with more than 90 counts of improper sexual contact and behavior, The Journal News of New York reported.

Kurt Ludwigsen, 43, worked as a coach at Nyack College between September and last month, when he was fired after the administration of the Christian school began to receive complaints from parents. Ludwigsen, also known as Kurt Vogner, is accused of behavior including harassment, kissing and unwanted sexual touching involving the 13 players he coached.

Ludwigsen has been charged with 44 misdemeanor counts of forcible touching, 49 misdemeanor counts of second-degree harassment, and one misdemeanor count of third-degree sexual abuse.

He was being held on $15,000 cash bail in the Rockland County jail.

https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2015/04/college_coach_from_ridgewood_charged_with_dozens_o.html