News & Information

PRESS RELEASE

 

May 26, 2022

     Sussex County Prosecutor Francis A. Koch announced the entry of a guilty plea to an accusation before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus, J.S.C. at the Sussex County Courtroom in Newton on May 25, 2022 by Michael A. Liska.

     Liska, age 29, of Hopatcong, pled guilty to Receiving Stolen Property, a crime of the third degree; Resisting Arrest, a crime of the third degree; Obstruction, a crime of the fourth degree; and Attempt to Disarm a Law Enforcement Officer, a crime of the second degree. He also pled to three (3) disorderly persons and two (2) motor vehicle offenses, including Driving While Intoxicated. Sentencing is presently scheduled for June 24, 2022 before the Honorable Robert M. Hanna, J.S.C.                          

     In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to committing theft on or about January 26, 2022, by knowingly receiving or bringing into this state a 2008 White Jeep Liberty belonging to a victim located in New York. He also admitted to subsequently attempting to prevent officers from Hopatcong Borough Police Department from arresting him by kicking, head locking, and attempting to bite the arresting officers, as well as obstructing the detection or investigation of a crime or the prosecution of defendant for a crime by closing the vehicle door on an officer and trying to keep the door shut. The defendant also admitted to purposely attempting to pull a firearm out of an officer’s duty holster. 

     Defendant was represented by Bruce Farrier, Esq., and the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Sally Anne Monkemeier.

SAM