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Press Release - Plea of Joseph Hoffman

PRESS RELEASE

June 18, 2020

     Sussex County Prosecutor Francis A. Koch announced the entry of a guilty plea to two accusations before the Honorable Louis S. Sceusi, J.S.C., at the Sussex County Courthouse in Newton on June 15, 2020, by Joseph Hoffman.

     Hoffman, age 68 of Newton, pled guilty to Eluding, a third degree crime, Possession of CDS, a third degree crime, Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Driving.  Sentencing is presently anticipated for July 22, 2020.

     In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that on November 2, 2019, he purchased and possessed fentanyl that he believed to be heroin.  He then consumed both alcohol and fentanyl and operated his motor vehicle during which time he was driving recklessly and at high rates of speed.  While operating the motor vehicle, the defendant failed to stop his vehicle after receiving signals from the New Jersey State Police through the use of lights and sirens and thereby causing a vehicle pursuit and resulting in a one-car accident. 

     The case was investigated by Trooper Kraljevich of the New Jersey State Police.

     Hoffman was represented by Thomas Militano, Esq., and the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Laura L. Nazzaro.

LLN