December 11, 2017

 

     Sussex County Prosecutor Francis A. Koch announced the entry of a guilty plea to an indictment before the Honorable William J. McGovern III, J.S.C., at the Sussex County Courthouse in Newton on December 11, 2017, by James D. Wilke.

 

     Wilke, age 31 of Newton, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Theft, Theft by Deception, Bad Checks, Witness Tampering, and Hindering one’s own apprehension all third degree crimes.  Sentencing is presently anticipated for February 2, 2018.

 

     In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted conspiring to issue and deposit bad checks to Lakeland Bank, Wantage. The defendant admitted to obtaining in excess of $500.00 from Lakeland Bank by deception on or between October 17, 2015 and December 7, 2015.  Additionally, on or about December 9, 2015, the defendant pled guilty to causing a witness or informant to complete a false affidavit on or about December 10, 2015, and did volunteer that knowingly false affidavit to a law enforcement officer.

 

     The case was investigated by Detective Dean Voris of the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office. 

 

     Wilke was represented by Charles O’Connell, Esq. and the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Magdalen Czykier.

 

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