If Michael Melitski violates the conditions of drug court, he'll be sentenced to seven years in prison.
Michael Melitski (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)SOMERVILLE -- A High Bridge man was sentenced to five years in drug court on Friday in Somerset County Superior Court. He was among eight people arrested following a four-month investigation into methamphetamine dealing that netted drugs, $20,000 in cash and $139,000 in alleged drug proceeds.
Michael Melitski, 55, was the alleged ring leader of the group, authorities said. The lengthy investigation, which was a joint operation conducted by the Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren prosecutors' offices and several police departments in each county, was the first of this scope, authorities said.
In a plea deal, Melitski pleaded guilty on Feb. 12, 2016 to distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In drug court he'll be subject to random drug tests, must report to court at least once a week, maintain employment and remain drug-free, among other conditions.
If Melitski, who has committed seven previous indictable offenses, violates the terms of drug court, he'll be terminated from the program and sentenced to seven years in prison, said Superior Court Judge Kathy C. Qasim.
"Drug court is a super intensive monitoring program," said Assistant Prosecutor Michael McLaughlin, who handled the case. "It's probation times 10."
Melitski's sentence will run concurrent to a Hunterdon County sentence of probation on drugs and weapons charges, the judge said.
On April 4, 2015, detectives from the various law enforcement agencies executed search warrants on Melitski's High Bridge residence, his rented garage located on Belvidere Avenue in Washington Township and two of his vehicles, authorities said.
The searches yielded more than two ounces of methamphetamine with a street value of $12,520, three vehicles owned by Melitski and $20,000 in cash, authorities said. Melitski's personal bank account with a balance of $139,000 was frozen pending further investigation and steps to seize the funds, authorities said.
In addition to Melitski, John Renner, 45, of Hillsborough; Ned Coolbaugh, 33, of Flemington; Stacie Hillman, 34, of High Bridge; James Mahler, 46, of Easton, Pa.; Kyle Reed, 32, of Asbury; Jan Thatcher, 54, of Mt. Bethel, Pa.; and John Thomas, 50, of Belvidere were arrested in the investigation.
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