November 12, 10

NEWS / Burlington County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Methamphetamine With the Intent to Distribute

TRENTON – Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that a Burlington County man has pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.

Anthony Petrucci, 40, of Springfield Township, Burlington County, pleaded guilty yesterday (Nov. 9) before Superior Court Judge Jeanne T. Covert in Burlington County to first-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine). The charge was contained in an Aug. 22, 2006 state grand jury indictment. The case was scheduled to begin trial yesterday.

Judge Covert scheduled sentencing for March 11. As part of the plea agreement, the state will recommend a seven-year sentence with three and half years parole ineligibility.

In pleading guilty, Petrucci admitted that on Feb. 14, 2006, he possessed at least five ounces of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute.

Following an undercover investigation, police executed a search warrant at Petrucci’s residence on Feb. 14, 2006 and found more than two pounds of methamphetamine. The search also revealed two handguns, four vials of an anabolic steroid, ammunition and over $15,000 in cash.

The investigation was coordinated by Deputy Attorney General Daniel I. Bornstein and former Deputy Attorney General Christine D’Elia. Deputy Attorney General Bornstein of the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau represented the state at the guilty plea hearing. Detective Sergeants Eric Barlow and Brian Duross and Detective Sergeant First Class Ronald Hampton from the New Jersey State Police assisted in the investigation. Attorney General Dow thanked the following agencies for their assistance in the investigation: The New Jersey State Police – Weapons Trafficking Unit, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Lee Police Department, and the Springfield Police Department.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases10/pr20101110b.html