Morris County Worker Sentenced to Five Years Probation For Unlawful Weapons Possession

Published on May 03, 2013

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces today that the Honorable Robert J. Gilson, J.S.C. sentenced Lawrence Ball, 55 years old of Randolph Township, New Jersey, to five years probation in connection with firing a weapon at passing vehicles.

The 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.

On March 12, 2013, the defendant pled guilty 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 pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to possession of the BB gun without a lawful permit and also to firing a slingshot at passing vehicles.

Judge Gilson sentenced Ball to five years probation along with strict mental health treatment as outlined in a supplemental agreement. Ball must also forfeit his public employment, forfeit any and all weapons, have no contact with weapons, forfeit his firearm ID card, and have no contact with the victims in the case. Restitution to the victims was also ordered by the Court.

Assistant Prosecutor Brian DiGiacomo represented the State at the sentencing.

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Knapp thanks Police Chief Robert Mason and the Randolph Township Police Department, Police Chief Scott Thompson and the Morris Plains Police Department, Police Chief John McGuinness and the Morris Township Police Department, Sheriff Edward Rochford and the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office General Investigations Unit for the efforts resulting in today's sentence.

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