The 22-year-old man killed Tuesday night when his car was struck by Jeep driving the wrong-way on Route 15 was held in high esteem by his friends and teammates on his college baseball team.

Robert "Jamie" Hunter IIICourtesy of Brian Eberly 

MOUNT OLIVE -- The 22-year-old man killed Tuesday night when his car was struck by a Jeep driving the wrong-way on Route 15 was beloved by many and held in high esteem by his former teammates on the County College of Morris baseball team.

Robert "Jamie" Hunter III, was affectionately known as "Bear" by his family, baseball teammates and friends, according to his obituary.

"He was a strapping young man who could be a fierce competitor as well as the giver of wonderful bear hugs," the obituary said. "The nickname was most appropriate."

Troy Hance, a former teammate, said Hunter was "a special kind of guy" who was selfless and "knew how to make everyone laugh."

"This is such a tragedy because the world lost such an amazing individual," Hance said. "He impacted so many people throughout the time I have known him."

Hunter was driving south on Route 15 in Sparta Tuesday night when his 1998 Toyota Corrolla was struck head-on by a 2014 Jeep Cherokee driven by Teresa Verbout, 50, of Sparta. Police say Verbout's Jeep drove north on Route 15 south and nearly hit a police car before colliding with the Toyota. Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Woman charged with vehicular homicide after wrong-way crash on Route 15

Hunter was on his way to work in Florham Park as a night security guard for Planned Securities Tuesday night when his car was struck, according to his obituary.

Verbout, who police say was intoxicated, has been charged with vehicular homicide and DWI. She was flown to Morristown Medical Center after sustaining serious injuries to her legs, police said.

Brian Eberly, the head coach of the CCM baseball team, told NJ Advance Media a moment of silence was held for Hunter before CCM's home basketball game Thursday night.

Robert "Jamie" Hunter IIICourtesy of Brian Eberly

"Jamie was a beloved member of the 2012 CCM Baseball team," Eberly said in a statement. "'Bear,' as he was known, served as the closer for the team which won 27 games that year. Jamie was a tremendously hard worker, and the definition of a good teammate. He was most recently on campus as he pitched in this fall's alumni game. He will be truly missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his teammates, friends, and family."

Pierce Hans, another teammate, described Hunter as selfless, caring and a true friend.

"There are so many things I want to say but cannot find the words," Hans said. "Bear was one of the hardest workers on our team. He knew how to lighten the mood up no matter what was going on. You could always see him smiling, which, in that case, when he smiled you couldn't help but do the same."

According to his obituary, "Jamie loved paintball, movies, and entertaining people with his spot-on Irish and Scottish accents. He was a member of the Banana Stand Republic team for the international online game Battle Nations."

He is survived by his parents, Robert J. Hunter Jr. and Debra Haines Kiser; his sister, Jessica Nicole Hunter; his paternal grandmother, Helen Hunter; and his longtime girlfriend, Devin Williamson; and many other relatives.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Dec. 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains. His funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at Dangler Funeral Home. Internment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, 145 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in his memory. More information is available on the funeral home's website.

Lost a very good friend of mine a few nights ago Jamie Hunter , he was great friend and a good man and the happiness person I know.

-- Alexander Aversano (@alex_aversano91) December 10, 2015

Jamie me and Joe pic.twitter.com/SLX1UI4bTg

-- Alexander Aversano (@alex_aversano91) December 10, 2015

Saddened to announce that Jamie Hunter,member of the 2012 team, lost his life in a tragic automobile accident last night. Rest in Peace Bear

-- Morris Baseball (@CCMBaseball) December 10, 2015

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

31 animals harvested on Friday, according to state figures

FREDON -- Another 31 black bears were killed Friday, the next-to-last day of the state's annual, week-long hunt, the state Department of Environmental Protection reported.

With the take on Friday, the fifth day of a hunting season marked by unseasonably mild temperatures and dry weather, the total stood at 421 animals. The last day of the season, which was open to firearms hunters, is Saturday.

On trend with the rest of the hunt, most of the animals Friday were killed in rural Sussex County, one of eight mostly northern counties where the hunt has been authorized. Bergen County Friday saw its first and so far only kill of the 2015 season, while in two other counties, Somerset and Mercer, no animals have yet been harvested.

Department of Environmental Protection officials say not enough "tagged" bears were killed to effectively reduce the potential for conflicts with people

FREDON - Another 51 bears were killed across northern New Jersey Saturday, though state officials say they will extend the state's annual hunt in hopes of further thinning their ranks.

The latest figures, released by the Department of Environmental Protection on Sunday, bring the six-day total of bears killed to 472.

Though that number is considerably higher than last year's count of 272, officials said the animals' dense population called for the hunt to be extended another four days, beginning Wednesday morning and ending at sunset Dec. 20.

MORE: Bear hunt 2015: Compromise unlikely between protesters and hunters

"With the four-day extension, we will reach a harvest number that will keep the black bear population healthy and sustainable, while reducing the potential for conflicts with people," Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said in a statement.

Only 24 of 133 bears "tagged" by DEP employees have been shot and killed this year - a ratio of 18 percent. Because the ratio came in at under 20 percent, new game code regulations adopted by the state earlier this year allow for the hunt to be extended.

The vast majority of bears killed this year have been in Sussex and Warren counties, though hunters also took down animals in Passaic, Bergen, Morris and Hunterdon counties.

Bears were also allowed to be hunted in Somerset and Mercer counties, though no kills had been recorded there as of Saturday night.

Reintroduced in New Jersey in 2010, the annual hunt is meant to reduce large black bear populations. Environmental groups and animal-rights activists have protested, however, saying killing the animals is neither humane nor an effective long-term solution.

In the hours after the state's announcement about the extension Sunday, the New Jersey Sierra Club issued a press release denouncing the decision. Club President Jeff Titel said he believed the hunt was primarily about sport, and would have little effect on interactions between bears and humans unless additional steps were taken.

"We don't have an education plan, we don't have garbage management, and we don't have the conservation officers needed to implement these things. All we have is more dead bears and the same nuisance problems as before," he said.

One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.

Some notes on homeless animals in New Jersey:

* According to the State of New Jersey Office of Animal Welfare, "it is estimated that the number of free-roaming cats in the United States may be equal to that of owned cats, approximately 70 million. If left unchecked, free-roaming cats will breed and their populations increase at locations where they find suitable shelter and food." The office goes on to note that pet cats that are abandoned will not easily fend for themselves outdoors. Unfortunately, most of these cats and their offspring will suffer premature death from disease, starvation or trauma.

* Among shelters and rescue groups around New Jersey, the top 10 reasons for owners relinquishing a dog are: (1) moving; (2) landlord issues (3) cost of pet maintenance; (4) "no time for pet;" (5) inadequate facilities; (6) "too many pets in home;" (7) pet illness; (8) "personal problems;" (9) biting; and (10) no homes for litter-mates.

Other interesting facts from the Office of Animal Welfare:

* As many as 25 percent of dogs entering shelters across the country each year are purebreds.

* One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.

Here is a gallery of homeless animals from northern and central New Jersey. Consider visiting a local shelter or contacting a local rescue group when looking for a pet for your family.

More pets in need of adoption can be viewed here and here

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

State Police are trying to identify a woman they say broke into the Fredon Board of Education building late last month.

FREDON -- State Police are trying to identify a woman they say broke into the Fredon Board of Education building late last month.

The woman forced opened a door at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29 and remained inside for about an hour, State Police said in a Facebook post.

Man killed in wrong-way Route 15 crash was beloved, known for 'bear hugs'

Authorities say she didn't steal or damage anything inside the building but they're concerned about her well-being.

Anyone with information can contact the New Jersey State Police's station in Sussex at 973-383-1514. Anonymous tips will be accepted, State Police said.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Jason Campbell still faces charges of arson and child endangerment in two separate cases

Jason Campbell at a court hearing in 2013. (Robert Sciarrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

PATERSON -- A Superior Court judge on Monday dismissed an official misconduct charge against a suspended Morris County sheriff's officer who allegedly flashed his badge to avoid an arrest, according to the officer's attorney.

Jason Campbell, 36, of Parsippany, was arrested in March 2012 during a traffic stop on Route 287 in Pasippany. He was charged with possession of oxycodone and driving under the influence of drugs along with official misconduct.

The case was transferred to Passaic County and on Monday, Judge Raymond Reddin dismissed all three of those charges, said Campbell's attorney, Jeffrey Patti.

Patti took the position that it was an "illegal traffic stop" and therefore, the charges could not be pursued -- a position upheld by the judge.

Reddin agreed with Patti's position that the stop by a state trooper was designed to entrap the officer into showing his badge.

"It was a ruse, it was a pretext, it was no different from racial profiling," Reddin said, according to an account in The Record. "It wasn't a bona fide 'pulling over' of the vehicle."

Reddin said that after Campbell explained that he was "on the job," the trooper asked him to produce an ID, and when he did that, he had clearly been entrapped, the newspaper reported.

Patti hailed the ruling in an email sent to NJ Advance Media.

"Naturally, we are very pleased with the court's decision," Patti said. "We have felt from the beginning this was an illegal traffic stop. In their zeal to settle a political score, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office stepped way over the line of fundamental fairness. The big winner in this is the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution."

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp commented in a statement, "We have not yet received the transcript from the court. We will carefully review the opinion and make a decision as to how to proceed. Respectfully, we are in disagreement with the ruling and stand by the state's position."

Dismissal of the official misconduct charge -- which carried a mandatory minimum sentence of five years -- represents a major step for Campbell.

However, Campbell still faces charges of arson and child endangerment in two other cases.

Prior to the 2012 traffic stop, Campbell, a onetime volunteer firefighter in Parsippany, was charged with arson, accused of deliberately setting fires in Parsippany in 2008 and 2010.

Campbell was charged with child endangerment in December 2012 after he was allegedly found in a locked car in Parsippany with an 8-month-old boy, too intoxicated to exit the vehicle. 

Ironically, in June 2013, Campbell had accepted a plea bargain that tied all three cases together, but that was rejected by a judge.

Campbell had agreed to plead guilty to official misconduct and possession of oxycodone, and the arson and child endangerment charges would have been dismissed. 

However, Judge Edward Gannon, who was then hearing the case in Sussex County, rejected the plea bargain because it allowed Campbell the option of applying for admission into the state's Drug Court program, something Gannon said was not legally allowed.

Drug Court does not require incarceration, but there was no guarantee Campbell would have been allowed into the program if he had applied.

The case, which had originated in Morris County, was then transferred to Passaic.

Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

 

A man who admitted to jumping up and down on 20-foot-tall railroad crossing signal arm while shirtless and drunk this past June has been sentenced to home arrest, authorities said.

Vernon police arrested a man this past July for vandalizing a railroad crossing.Vernon police

VERNON-- A man who admitted to jumping up and down on 20-foot-tall railroad crossing signal arm while shirtless and drunk this past June has been sentenced to home arrest, authorities said.

Salvatore Varon, 49, of Vernon, was sentenced to 90 days in a home detention program and two years probation on the condition he obtain both mental health and drug evaluations and follow all recommendations, the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Varon pleaded guilty this past October to fourth-degree vandalizing a railroad crossing. He admitted that he was intoxicated when he climbed on to a Vernon railroad crossing light, jumping up and down on the post causing the lights to bounce.

Man admits to messing with railroad tracks while intoxicated

At the time of his arrest, police said Varon appeared to be trying to interfere with the train line -- having placed discarded railroad ties and rocks onto the railroad -- but officers took note of what seemed like a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.

Varon was previously charged with interfering with transportation, vandalizing a railroad crossing and trespassing.

No train came into contact with the railroad ties or rocks, police said.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

New Jersey's bear hunt has been extended to a second week, but, as one hunter explained to NJ Advance Media, the process of becoming a hunter and then hunting a bear isn't something taken up lightly. Watch video

New Jersey's hunters have a few more days to bag a bear.

But as one hunter explained to NJ Advance Media, the process of becoming a hunter and then hunting a bear isn't something taken up on a whim.

John Rogalo, a longtime hunter and the board chairman of the N.J. State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, will be one of those hunters out in the woods this week. He said he primarily hunts for deer but if he and his fellow hunters come upon a bear during the season they'll shoot it.

"We don't actively go looking for them," he said.

However, before getting to the hunting stage, prospective hunters need to complete a few basic -- but time-consuming -- steps:

First step: Get a gun permit

New Jersey residents interested in hunting must first pick up an application for a firearms purchaser identification card from the State Police or their local police department, then go through the application process.

As part of the process, they'll need to submit to a background and criminal record check, a review of mental health records and a review of references. Hunters then need to wait 30 days, at least, for these checks to clear.

If they're successful in obtaining a firearm purchaser ID permit, prospective hunters can take that permit and a valid form of government-issued ID to a hunting or sportsmen store and purchase a gun and ammunition.

472 bears killed across N.J.; officials opt to extend annual hunt

Second step: Get a gun

The most common weapon used by bear hunters is a shotgun not smaller than 20 gauge. Instead of buckshot, bear hunters use solid bullets of lead, known as slugs. These shotguns, however, are required to have sights or a scope affixed to the gun, per state regulations.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife also permits the use of muzzleloaders, which are rifles loaded from the front of the gun barrel. Muzzleloaders must be single-barrel, single shot rifles no smaller than .44 caliber. Hunters using a muzzleloader must also have a valid muzzleloader permit to hunt for bear.

While bear hunting, it is illegal for hunters to have in their possession any ammunition or weapon not authorized for bear hunting.

Third: Get a bear hunting permit

An individual who has never hunted in New Jersey before needs to complete the DEP's home study education course, attend a one-day field session with instructors, complete a mandatory live-fire session and pass a written examination. The education courses are free, as they're funded through the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act.

After completing these tasks, a hunter can purchase a license. But in order to hunt bear, a licensed hunter needs to purchase a black bear hunting permit.

Once a hunter has obtained a permit, he can only kill a bear in one of the Division of Fish and Wildlife's approved zones during legal hunting hours through the bear hunting season. Hunters are currently limited to one bear. Next year, hunters will be able to hunt for two bears provided that one bear is killed during the bow hunting season in October and the second is killed during the December firearm season.

Fourth: Have the right clothes, gear

Bear hunters must also wear the proper attire while hunting -- such as a hat of solid fluorescent hunter orange or an outer garment containing at least 200 square inches of fluorescent orange material visible from all sides at all times.

Fifth: Use the right tactics

Rogalo told NJ Advance Media there's three common ways to hunt for bear: baiting, stalking a bear in the woods or using a group of hunters to driving a bear in a specific direction.

"Most of the people who are routinely successful spend a significant amount of time baiting prior to the hunt," he said.

A hunter who baits for a bear can only legally do so in a few ways. It's prohibited to bait for bears in national wildlife refuges, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Cedar Swamp Natural Area at High Point State Park, and within 450 feet of campsites and picnic areas in state parks and forests, but it's allowed on private property or in state parks a significant distance away from areas frequented by people. The hunter, however, cannot be in a constructed blind and needs to be at least 300 feet away from the bait.

By comparison, walking in the woods and driving a bear requires stalking the bear where it lives.

"They're going to be in swamps or thick cover, they're not going to be in the open woods," Rogalo said.

It is, however, illegal to kill or attempt to kill a bear in a den structure.

Driving a bear is a slightly different tactic. Much like driving a deer, a group of hunters will make a long line in the woods and slowly walk through, driving the animal towards one or two hunters who are in position at the other end of the woods.

Sixth: Getting the bear out of the woods

A hunter needs to work quickly after killing a bear. Typically, this means using a hunting knife to make an incision in the animal's abdomen and removing its internal organs, known as "field dressing." Animals need to be gutted quickly to avoid spoiling the meat.

Hunters then need to affix a black bear transportation tag from their bear hunting permit and take the animal to one of the state's check stations. The transportation tag includes information such as the hunter's name, address, date and time of the kill, nearest road, county and town of the kill, and the sex of the bear.

As hunters said on the opening day of the 2015 bear hunt, getting a bear out of the woods is easier said than done -- and usually requires several hunters working in unison to get the animal to a vehicle.

Hunters operating on private property can use an ATV to aid them in hunting but only if they've received the property owner's permission beforehand. ATV use is typically prohibited in state parks, forests and wildlife management areas but hunters can receive permission from the park superintendent to use an ATV to remove a bear.

After taking the bear to a check station, hunters will be issued a valid possession tag from officials with the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Bear recipes: How to cook what you kill

Last, but not least: Butchering the bear

Bear meat needs to be butchered within hours of the kill, but the amount of fat on the animal can make the process daunting.

"It's a lot of work because they have so much fat, you have to skin them and get them chilled (as soon as possible)," Rogalo said.

What further complicates efforts is that a bear's muscles are interwoven with fat unlike a deer, he said.

"Bear is not as high quality as venison," Rogalo said. "With a bear, it's better to slow cook it, marinate it or use is as a ground meat."

Rogalo said his cousin found a tasty bear chili recipe which he uses to make tacos.

To assist hunters with their food preparations, the Department of Environmental Protection also released a bear cookbook last year. Some hunters also donate the meat from their kills to soup kitchens, though, venison is a far more popular game meat.

The bear's hide can also be tanned or stuffed as a trophy.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A 50-year-old woman who was initially charged with vehicular homicide after a fatal wrong-way crash on Route 15 in Sparta is now facing a charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, authorities said.

Teresa Verbout, 50, of SpartaKeogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility 

SPARTA -- A 50-year-old woman who was initially charged with vehicular homicide after a fatal wrong-way crash on Route 15 in Sparta is now facing a charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, authorities said.

Teresa Verbout, 50, of Sparta, is accused of killing Robert J. Hunter III, 22, of the Flanders section of Mount Olive, on Dec. 8 in a DWI crash.

Authorities say Verbout was heading northbound on Route 15 south in her 2014 Jeep Cherokee at about 11:06 p.m. when she nearly struck a police officer's vehicle.

The officer took evasive action and avoided crashing into the Jeep, police said. He then turned around into the northbound lanes in order to pursue the vehicle and try to stop it, police said.

Man killed in wrong-way Route 15 crash was beloved, known for 'bear hugs'

Verbout's Jeep continued traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes, and, before police could catch up, her Jeep struck a 1998 Toyota Corolla head-on, police said. Hunter, known as "Bear" to his friends, was the driver of the Corolla. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office, Verbout was driving in excess of 75 miles per hour at the time of the crash and her blood alcohol content was "well above" the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

After the crash, Verbout was flown to Morristown Medical Center with serious injuries to her legs, police said. She was initially charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and with driving while intoxicated. The prosecutor's office upgraded the charge against Verbout Wednesday afternoon.

Verbout was remanded to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility on $500,000 bail with no 10-percent option, the prosecutor's office said. She's expected to make a first appearance in Sussex County Superior Court Thursday afternoon.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Tally now at 489 after state decides to add four additional days to black bear season

FREDON -- The state Department of Environmental Protection added four more days to the black bear hunting season originally scheduled to end this past  weekend, with 17 animals killed Wednesday, according to preliminary DEP figures.

Eleven animals were killed in Sussex County, three in Warren, one in Passaic and two in Morris on the first day of the extended hunt, which ends Saturday. No animals were killed Wednesday in the other counties where the firearms hunt has been permitted, Bergen, Hunterdon, Mercer and Somerset. 

A total of 489 animals have been killed in 2015 as of Wednesday, far higher than the 2014 total of 217 animals but still short of the take the state had hoped to realize in this year's cull. The state reinstated the controversial hunt in 2010 to contain swelling bear populations, especially north of the I-78 corridor.

The hunt was extended after just 18 percent of bears previously tagged by wildlife officials were killed in the first phase of the hunt from Dec. 7 through Dec. 12, slightly below the state's target of 20 percent.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook

It's difficult to think of an out-of-state or international mega-act that hasn't performed in New Jersey.

New Jersey is a great place for music. Frankly, I'd say there's hardly room for debate.

Certainly, the list of chart-topping musicians who hail from the Garden State is a long one. And, I'd venture to say there's nary an out-of-state or international mega-act that hasn't performed here. Bands and solo acts have packed venues ranging from high school auditoriums to football stadiums.

We from the Garden State are steeped in the traditions of Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. We've been told about girl groups from the '60s like the Angels and the Shirelles and solo acts like Lesley Gore and Connie Francis. And we've reveled in the innovations of performers and producers like George Clinton and Les Paul. Here are a handful of lesser-known facts about pop music in New Jersey:

Mark Stein, founding member of Vanilla Fudge, was a Bayonne native.courtesy of Bayonne Retro 

* The first live performance of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and his Comets took place at the HofBrau Hotel in Wildwood in 1954.

* Donald Fagan of Steely Dan was born in Passaic in 1948 and later attended South Brunswick High School.

* Paul Simon was born in Newark, as was Ice T (Tracy Marrow)

* Joe Walsh attended Montclair High School, where he played oboe in the school band.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

* Country superstar Clint Black was born in Long Branch; Wyclef Jean was born in South Orange.

* Kate Pierson, one of the founding members of the B-52s, was born in Weehawken.

This gallery offers a humble sampling of some of the pop, rock and soul talent to take the stage in the Garden State. Be sure to click on the captions button to read more about these vintage photos.

Can't get enough? Here's a link to last year's gallery.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

A special education consultant who was charged last month with sexual assault and health care fraud is now facing additional charges, authorities said.

Troy R. Leonard, 31, of Franklin LakesKeogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility 

FRANKLIN LAKES -- A special education consultant who was charged last month with sexual assault and health care fraud is now facing additional charges, authorities said.

Troy R. Leonard, 31, of Franklin Lakes, was arrested and charged on Nov. 13 with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and 38 counts of health care claims fraud, Sussex County Prosecutor Francis A. Koch previously said.

Leonard was charged Wednesday in two criminal complaints with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of health care fraud.

Authorities said last month Leonard, while acting as a behavior analyst, engaged in sexual contact with three young patients at various locations throughout the state. The ages of the patients or the reason for their treatment was not released.

Leonard was also accused of submitting fraudulent claims to insurance companies for treatment he didn't provide to those patients and other minors and their families.

The complaints lodged against Leonard last month stem from incidents that allegedly occurred between 2013 to 2015, but the latest charges allege he had sexual contact with two young patients between 2011 and 2015. The incident from which the latest health care fraud charge allegedly stems took place between 2014 and 2015, authorities said.

Special education consultant accused of sexual assaulting kids, health care fraud

Leonard advertised himself online as an Applied Behavior Analysis therapist, but records with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board show he's not a credentialed behavior analyst. His license as a marriage and family therapy counselor is currently suspended, according to records with the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Leonard was remanded to Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility on $325,000 bail on the charges filed against him in November, according to jail records. His bail has been set at $200,000 on each of the two criminal complaints filed Wednesday. A bail-source hearing is required in order for him to post bail.

Leonard's scheduled to make a first appearance in Sussex County Superior Court on Thursday.

The case against Leonard was investigated by the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the State Police.

Anyone with more information regarding Leonard can contact Detective Anne Psaroudis at the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office at 973-383-1570.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The judge is expected to announce his verdict sometime in January Watch video

ANDOVER TOWNSHIP -- The trial ended this week for a Sparta man who says he acted in self-defense when he shot three bears outside his home in October 2014.

Andover Joint Municipal Court Judge James Devine is expected to announce his verdict at a court session in January, court officials said. A date for that session has not yet been set.

Robert Ehling, 78, is accused of illegally killing the bears. He faces three counts of killing a bear out of season and one count of having a loaded firearm within 450 feet of an occupied building.

During the final day of trial testimony on Monday, Ehling took the witness stand and his attorney, George Daggett, sought to discredit the testimony of the state Division of Fish and Wildlife conservation officer who pressed the charges against Ehling. 

Trial under way for man who says he shot bears in self-defense

The conservation officer, Robert Driscoll, had disputed Ehling's self-defense claim during his testimony on Nov. 23. He said there were no signs that the bears actually tried to get in the house, and "no damage" anywhere on a sliding-glass door that Ehling said was the only thing separating him and his wife from the large mama bear.

In court on Monday, Daggett called Driscoll's report "a falsehood," according to an account in the New Jersey Herald.

In his testimony, Ehling said he confronted the bear after his wife became afraid while seeing the bear looking into the couple's kitchen through a sliding-glass door on the deck, according to the report.

Ehling said he later shot one of the bear cubs as it was on a post holding up the deck from below. He said he shot the other cub after it left the house and walked toward the woods but later returned toward the house making "a loud growl, roar, bellow," the Herald reported.

In his closing argument, Municipal Prosecutor Anthony Arbore said there was "no justification" for shooting the bears, the Herald reported.

Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

Two more alleged victims came forward after news of Leonard's arrest appeared in the press, the assistant prosecutor said

NEWTON -- A special education consultant, accused of having sexual contact with five young patients along with committing health care fraud, pleaded not guilty to all charges during a court appearance Thursday.

Troy R. Leonard, 31, of Franklin Lakes, made his first appearance in Superior Court in Sussex County since being charged Wednesday with two additional counts of sexual assault.

Last month, he was charged with three counts of sexual assault in cases involving three alleged victims. Authorities said Leonard, while acting as a behavior analyst, engaged in sexual contact with patients under the age of 18 at various locations around the state.

Leonard advertised himself online as an Applied Behavior Analysis therapist, but records with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board show he's not a credentialed behavior analyst.

Sussex County Assistant Prosecutor Seana Pappas said the additional charges involving two more alleged victims were filed after "information in the press led them to come forward."

Pappas said there were "five separate victims," all under the age of 18. She declined further comment on the case.

Bail for Leonard had been set at $325,000 after his first arrest, but after the two new criminal complaints were filed, Judge Philip Maenza added $200,000 each for the new cases, for a total bail of $725,000.

Leonard's attorney, Alfonse DeMeo, said his client had been unable to post the previous bail, and certainly couldn't pay a higher amount.

Judge Thomas Critchley said he would "consolidate" all the bails, setting the total figure at the original $325,000. Leonard remains in custody.

Critchley also issued an administrative restraining order, barring Leonard from having contact with any of the "complaining witnesses." He set the next court date in the case for Jan. 11.

The complaints lodged against Leonard last month stemmed from incidents that allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2015. The latest charges allege he had sexual contact with two young patients between 2011 and 2015.

Leonard is also accused of submitting fraudulent claims to insurance companies for treatment he didn't provide.

On Wednesday, Leonard was also charged with two additional counts of child endangerment and one additional count of health care claims fraud.

Overall, Leonard now faces 39 counts of health care fraud, and five counts each of sexual assault and child endangerment.

Leonard was arrested at his Franklin Lakes residence a month ago by the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office and the Franklin Lakes Police Department.

Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

The crash killed Robert J. Hunter III, 22, from the Flanders section of Mount Olive

NEWTON -- The woman facing an aggravated manslaughter charge in a wrong-way fatal crash on Route 15 in Sparta is seeking a bail reduction.

Teresa Verbout, 50, of Sparta originally faced a vehicular homicide charge in the Dec. 8 crash that killed Robert J. Hunter III, 22, from the Flanders section of Mount Olive.

However, on Wednesday, the charge was upgraded to first-degree aggravated manslaughter.

Verbout has been held on $500,000 bail. However, during a brief first court appearance on Thursday, her attorney, Anthony Picillo, announced he would like a bail reduction.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Critchley in Newton asked Picillio to submit a formal motion for the bail reduction, and scheduled a hearing for Monday afternoon. He then adjourned the hearing.

Verbout, who suffered serious leg injuries in the crash, appeared in a wheelchair at the court session.

Authorities say Verbout was heading northbound on Route 15 south in her 2014 Jeep Cherokee at 11:06 p.m. when she nearly struck a police officer's vehicle.

The officer turned his vehicle to avoid the crash and then turned around, but before he could catch her, Verbout allegedly struck the 1998 Toyota Corolla driven by Hunter, known as "Bear" to his friends.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Verbout was driving more than 75 mph and her blood-alcohol level was "well above" the legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office.

Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

Total number of animals taken this year closing in on 500

FREDON -- Just three bears were killed Thursday, the second day of a four-day extension of the state's annual bear hunt, the Department of Environmental Protection reported. 

The total number of black bears killed as of the hunt's eighth day stood at 492. The take on Thursday, when there were heavy rains throughout much of the state, was the lowest daily tally of the 2015 firearms season. 

The hunt was originally scheduled in several counties, mostly in the north and west, from Dec. 7 through Dec. 12. Wildlife officials added four more days, beginning Wednesday, when totals fell short of what the state had hoped for. 

Two of the animals Thursday were killed in Sussex County and the third was taken in Passaic. 

The hunt was re-introduced in 2010, a year when 592 animals were harvested, the highest total reached ever since. The following year, 469 animals were killed, while in 2012 287 animals were harvested. The totals for 2013 and 2014 were 251 and 272 respectively, according to state figures. 

New Jersey reacts to the the premiere of the 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' at the AMC Loews theatre in New Brunswick. Watch video

Some fanatics were even dressed in costume. Princess Leia, Han Solo and R2-D2 were spotted waited online at the concession stands to grab a popcorn and soda at the AMC Loews New Brunswick. 

Before the start of the film, we decided to have some fun with movie-goers. Equipped with two red Darth Vader lightsabers, we let fans shows us their best moves. Some even dueled with their friends.

To keep the force going, we asked people to give us a one sentence review of the movie without any spoilers, their rating from 1 to 10 and a sound effect from the film.  

Did you see the movie on opening night? Let us know what you thought in the comment section below. NO SPOILERS ALLOWED! 

 

Amanda Marzullo may be reached at amarzullo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amanda_marzullo. Find NJ.com Multimedia on Facebook.

Lonnie Swarnes, 50, pleaded guilty earlier this year to kidnapping and attempted theft by extortion for kidnapping Jeffrey Muller, authorities have said.

NEWTON -- The sentencing of Lonnie Swarnes, one of the men who kidnapped a Newton business owner in 2010, was postponed this week, New Jersey Herald reported.

Lonnie Swarnes, 50, pleaded guilty earlier this year to first-degree kidnapping and second-degree attempted theft by extortion for kidnapping Jeffrey Muller, authorities have said. He's facing up to 25 years in state prison as part of his plea deal.

As previously reported by NJ Advance Media, authorities said 51-year-old William Barger enlisted Swarnes, Swarnes' nephew, Andrew Wadel, and Douglas Stangeland to kidnap Jeffrey Muller, a Mahwah money broker, by telling them they would be considered for membership in a new Hells Angels motorcycle chapter he was forming, if they kidnapped him. Barger falsely claimed he was the son of Hells Angel motorcycle club founder Ralph "Sonny" Barger, authorities have said.

Barger sought to recoup some of the $500,000 that was lost by Missouri businessman Roy Slates to Muller in a business deal. Barger and the kidnappers would get a portion of the proceeds.

Instead, the trio abducted the wrong Jeffrey Muller and, during a 1,200-mile trip to Nevada, their car broke down in Lake Ozark, Mo., allowing the Newton Muller to escape.

Last defendant pleads guilty to mistaken-identity kidnapping

Swarnes' sentencing was delayed this week due to another trial that Judge Thomas S. Critchley is overseeing, New Jersey Herald reported. He's next expected to appear before the court on Jan. 5 and 6, the newspaper reported.

Swarnes planned to argue as a mitigating factor prior to his sentencing that he served as a confidential informant for the Missouri State Highway Patrol at the time of the kidnapping, Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Greg Mueller has said. According to the prosecutor, Swarnes had been fired by that agency prior to the kidnapping.

Earlier this year, Stangeland was convicted on all charges -- including conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit a kidnapping -- but his sentencing has been postponed after he was hospitalized and placed on life support at Morristown Medical Center following his conviction.

Barger was sentenced earlier this year to 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to first-degree accomplice liability, New Jersey Herald previously reported.

Wadel has also entered a guilty plea and is serving two concurrent 18-year sentences. Slates, who has already pleaded guilty to his role in the kidnapping, has been sentenced to three years, according to New Jersey Herald.

Reporting by Joe Moszczynski and Kimberly Redmond was used in this article.

The fifth consecutive bear hunt that began last Monday in the state's northwestern region has attracted a flurry of reader comments.

FREDON -- The fifth consecutive bear hunt that began last Monday in the state's northwestern region has attracted a flurry of reader comments ranging from support for the bears to criticism of the animal advocates.

Officials from the state backed the hunt saying it was necessary to control the growing population of bears. By this past Sunday, Dec. 13, the total number of bears killed was up to 472 -- compared to last year's count of 272 -- but officials called for the hunt to be extended by four days, to Saturday at sunset.

Officials reported that 17 more bears were killed Wednesday, on the first day of the extended hunt.

472 bears killed across N.J.; officials opt to extend hunt

This year, aggressive bear complaints are up, officials said, more bears are being seen in suburban areas, and in 2014, the state recorded the first-ever bear attack fatality. A 22-year-old Rutgers student was mauled to death by a 300-pound bear in West Milford Sept. 21.

The protesters have equated the hunt with murder, criticizing the tactics as well as the purpose, since some critics say bears can be controlled by other, kinder methods, like sealed garbage cans and not leaving grills outside.

Among those in favor of the hunt was MBren, who said the hunt was "needed":

"This is great news for Northwest NJ. This has been needed for a while and the hunters did a good job, and I'm glad they had the sense to extend the hunt. The nice weather was a huge bonus as well."

But others, like mike148, said the animals were being killed senselessly:

"Seems absurd to kill such beautiful animals for no good reason. I have lived with bears and Cubs on my property for more than 25 years. It's pretty easy to coexist with them and nobody is killing them to feed themselves. I just don't see the need."

And Priscilla Feral argued that the tactic of leaving food for bears to bait them was unethical:

"Someone has to be deranged to bait bears with (food) and then stand by to shoot one to death, and it should be illegal because that makes bears associate people with food -- the OPPOSITE of what the (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) should be teaching to assure public safety."

On the other hand, a once-neutral Watcher said that the news about the student's death had tipped him to the side of the hunters:

"I was neutral on bear hunts till I learned that young college student, a robust male,  was hunted down and mauled by one. They are not Gentle Ben or Yogi bear, these are wild animals."

Listenpeople argued for those who love animals but also think the hunt is necessary:

"I love animals and I think bears are amazing and beautiful, but the sad fact is there are more and more issues with bears and humans coming in contact with one another. It doesn't matter if we developed housing in their area. What is done is done, we won't abandon developed areas for the sake of bears.

The hunt is going to happen, it has to. For the safety of humans and bears. My only hope is that the meat from the bears is used and they are not just hunted for a trophy."

zone3adk said that hunting can "benefit" the animals:

"There is no reason not to hunt bear.  Bear, like a lot of wildlife, is a renewable natural resource.  Properly managed hunts benefit the species at the expense of the individual animals killed. It's science, part of wildlife biology."

Still, sacrificenotshared, and others, said humans are the real "enemy":

"Man has proven time and again, to be nature's worst enemy. From the pollution of her waters, land and air we are without a doubt natures biggest enemy. We have hunted several species into extinction, and destroy the habitat of any remaining. We nearly hunted the seemingly endless numbers of buffalo into extinction years ago. Hunting for pleasure, or sport is not only arrogant and disgusting, it also proves that man cannot be trusted."

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Nearly 500 bears have been killed in this year's hunt as of Friday but still the rate is below what biologists say is needed to keep the black bear population stable — and to stop it from pushing out further. Watch video

Nearly 500 bears have been killed in this year's hunt as of Friday but still the rate is below what state biologists say is needed to keep the black bear population stable -- and to stop bears from expanding their range throughout the state.

Reintroduced in 2010, the aim of the annual bear hunt, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, is to keep the black bear population in check by balancing out the number of cubs born every year, known as "recruitment." Animal-rights activists and environmental groups have regularly protested the hunt, saying killing the animals is neither humane nor an effective long-term solution.

"We have a very productive bear population that on average has a litter of two or three cubs (each year), but sometimes as many as four or five," said DEP spokesman Larry Hajna. "More bears are being born than are being lost."'

The goal, Hajna said, is to cull between 20 to 30 percent of the 133 bears tagged by the Division of Fish and Wildlife -- a range of between 26 to 40 tagged bears. After the first week of the hunt fell short of that figure despite a greater harvest than the past two years, the season was extended by four days.

Jeff Tittel, president of the N.J. Sierra Club, however, has criticized the harvest as a "trophy hunt" that has little to do with effective wildlife management.

"New Jersey Sierra Club believes, just as we did with the very first hunt, that the hunt is unwarranted, unfounded, and will not help to manage bears in the state of New Jersey," Tittel said. "This is a recreational hunt that will lead to a large loss of the New Jersey black bear population, but will not do anything to deal with nuisance bears...Unless New Jersey deals with protection of habitats, garbage, and educating people in bear country, the hunt is meaningless."

472 bears killed across N.J.; officials opt to extend annual hunt

The DEP estimates that there are as many as three bears per square mile in certain northwestern portions of the state.

"Other states with black bear populations have densities in the range of one bear per three square miles," said DEP spokesman Bob Considine.

"The consequence of too many bears in one area are increased competition for food and dispersal into areas with lower bear densities -- which is why we are now seeing bears throughout all of New Jersey," Considine said.

John Rogalo, a hunter and the board chairman of the N.J. State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, said part of the reason hunters haven't hit the DEP's 20- to 30-percent range of tagged bears is the timing of the hunt. Bears are more likely to den up during the winter, but in the fall they're more likely to be active, he said.

"We have by far the densest black bear population in all of North America and we fail to control it," said Rogalo, who also has a background in wildlife management and forestry.

How to track and kill a bear: N.J. hunter gives tips

"I don't put the blame on the Division of Fish and Wildlife," he said. "It's rather on the emotional people protesting the sound management of a natural resource. This is the real world not Disney. Bears are a magnificent animal but when you have too many you reduce them to vermin."

Unlike deer that only live a few years, "(bears) don't die, they live 20 years. What we harvested isn't even a dent in this year's cub crop," he said.

The abundance of garbage created by humans helps support the black bear population, and, according to Rogalo, "bear-proofing" garbage cans and limiting possible food sources only goes so far.

"Bears are strong and they're not stupid," Rogalo said. "If there's food they're going to find a way to get it."