Morris County Worker Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Weapon Possession

Published on March 01, 2013

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Lawrence Ball, 55 years old of Randolph Township, New Jersey pled guilty today to Third Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, a BB gun handgun, and Third Degree Possession of a Weapon For an Unlawful Purpose, a slingshot, in connection with firing a weapon at passing vehicles.

The 55 year old defendant had been employed by Morris County for over 19 years. He was arrested on September 13, 2010 on multiple counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and for Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, after it was reported he was firing a weapon at passing cars.

In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to possession of the BB gun without a lawful permit and also to firing a slingshot at passing vehicles.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, the State will recommend that the defendant be sentenced to probationary supervision for 5 years, undergo a regimented psychiatric/psychological treatment, forfeit public employment, forfeit all weapons and have no contact with weapons. He will also permanently forfeit his firearms identification card and have no contact with the victims.

Assistant Prosecutor Brian DiGiacomo represented the State in the plea agreement.

The Honorable Mary Gibbons Whipple presided over the plea. The defendant remains free on bail. Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, 2013.

Acting Prosecutor Knapp thanks Police Chief Robert Mason and the Randolph Police Department, Police Chief Scott Thompson and the Morris Plains Police Department, Police Chief John McGuinness and the Morris Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office General Investigations Unit who assisted in the investigation and resolution of this matter.

Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.