Narcotics Arrest and Assault on Police Officers in Franklin

FRANKLIN BOROUGH, NJ – On January 28, 2016, Franklin Police received complaints of narcotics activity in and around Franklin. Detectives investigated and made several arrests.

Following a motor vehicle stop on State Highway 23, Joshua Nussbaum-Berger,20, of Franklin, Robert F. Shultz the 3^rd,25, of Hamburg, and Amanda L. Wilkinson, 21, of Hamburg were all found to be in possession of approximately 25 grams of marijuana.

During the Course of that investigation, it was brought to the attention of the investigators that a male who was wanted by the Sussex County Superior Court was in the residence of one of the suspects arrested.

Franklin Borough Police Officers and Detectives responded to the residence. At that time, they determined Mr. Heinzelman to be in the residence. Mr. Heinzelman attempted to flee through a window not before nearly striking Officer Jesse Babcock with a ceramic wax melter with an activated heating element. He made two separate attempts to strike Officer Babcock as officer Babcock was attempting to detain him through the window.   Simultaneously Detective Mattessich was attempting to gain entry through a door in the residence. Mr. Heinzelman forcefully slammed the door on Detective Mattessich’s hand causing bodily injury to his hand and forearm. Mr. Heinzelman continued to resist arrest however was eventually restrained with no further incident.  Neither officer suffered life threatening injuries.

Mr. Heinzelman was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and one count of resisting arrest. His bail was set at $20,000 with no ten percent option. He is also being held warrant from Sussex Superior Court. He was lodged in the Sussex County Jail pending his charges.

Mr. Nussbaum-Berger, Mr. Shultz, and Ms. Wilkinson, were all released pending their criminal complaints.

The complaints that were filed are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The charges may be presented to a grand jury for potential indictment.

Print Friendly