3 Employees for the City of Linden Charged with Drug Crimes

After an extensive investigation, authorities in Union County recently arrested three public works employees for the city of Linden, all of whom are now facing serious drug charges.

The aforementioned investigation was conducted by members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office’s Guns, Gangs, Drugs and Violent Crimes task force, as well as the narcotics division of the Linden Police Department. The targets of the investigation were 42-year-old Bryan Stigliano, 27-year-old Joseph Caplette, and 37-year-old Daniel Brown, all of whom are Linden residents and employees of the city.

Officials conducted a search on Friday, January 15th that ultimately led to the seizure of 14 bags of cocaine, as well as variable amounts of Xanax, Oxycodone, and Suboxone. Each of the defendants is now facing charges for third-degree possession of cocaine and third-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Stigliano is facing additional drug charges associated with the other substances discovered during the search.

According to Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, all three men are currently suspended without pay. As for the penalties they are facing, cocaine possession is always graded as third degree crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. This means that a person convicted may be sentenced to serve between 3 and 5 years in New Jersey State Prison, as well as paying a fine of up to $35,000.

On the other hand, charges for cocaine distribution and possession with intent to distribute (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5) are graded based on the amount of cocaine associated with the offense. In this case, the quantity of cocaine amounted to less than 0.5 ounces so the charges were classified as third degree. A third degree charge for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute warrants a 3 to 5-year prison term, as well as a maximum fine of $75,000 in New Jersey.

The State’s position remains unknown in this case thus far, meaning the Union County Prosecutor’s Office may extend a plea offer to one or more of the defendants in exchange for their cooperation. Until then, bail has been set at $25,000 for Stigliano and Caplette, while Brown’s bail is higher at $35,000. The men are scheduled to appear in court for their first appearances on Friday.

For additional information related to this case, access the following article: 3 Linden public works employees busted for cocaine, authorities say