DA David Hoovler Announces
Montgomery Couple Charged in a Major Narcotics Investigation
Joint Investigation of the New York State Police and New Jersey State Police results in search warrant execution at Montgomery residence yielding illegal drugs having a street value of $180,000 and over $ 1.1 million dollars in cash
Goshen, NY – Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler today announced that Marius Schwerberg, 65, and his wife, Nancy Schwerberg, 43, of Montgomery, were charged in a felony complaint filed in the Town of Montgomery Court with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree for possessing 52.1 ounces of cocaine at their residence on Loch Lane, in Montgomery, on October 21, 2020.
The charges were the result of a joint operation between the New Jersey State Police, and the New York State Police, Troop F Violent Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (“VGNET”), aided by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation related to the trafficking of large amounts of cocaine in Morris County, New Jersey. As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Marius and Nancy Schwerberg’s Loch Lane residence. The search warrant resulting in the seizure of 1,485 grams of cocaine, and 17 pounds of marihuana, which collectively had a street value of over $180,000. Additionally, items used for the cutting, weighing, and repackaging of cocaine, a loaded handgun, and over $1,187,391.00 in cash were recovered during the execution of the search warrant. The money constitutes the largest amount of cash recovered during a narcotics search warrant in Orange County history.
In addition to the felony complaints, arrest warrants were also issued by Orange County Court Judge William L. DeProspo for the Schwerbergs to be produced in Orange County Court to face charges there. The arrest warrant for Marius Schwerberg was for Operating as a Major Trafficker, and the warrant for Nancy Schwerberg was for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. Both defendants are in custody in the State of New Jersey where they are facing charges pending extradition to New York.
The maximum sentence for the Class AI felony of Operating as a Major Trafficker is twenty-five years to life. The maximum sentence for the Class AI felony of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree is twenty years.
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended the New York State Police, Troop F VGNET and the New Jersey State Police for their investigation and the charges against the defendants.
“This case shows that major narcotics trafficking is not just confined to urban areas,” said District Attorney. “We will have these defendants brought to Orange County to face charges as soon as possible. Narcotics are destroying the very fabric of our communities and those who reap large profits from narcotics trafficking must be severely punished. It is only when law enforcement agencies work collaboratively that large scale narcotics operations can be
disrupted.”
The cases are being prosecuted by District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Assistant District Attorney Neal E. Eriksen.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.