River Styx Co-Owner Head of Heroin Network, Cops Say

The co-owner of the River Styx Grill on Lake Hopatcong is in jail on multiple drug distribution charges after being arrested Tuesday.

John A. Davieau, 55, of Lake Hopatcong is one of seven people charged after a multi-agency, six-month investigation initiated by the Hopatcong Police Department, acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said in a release. The alleged drug network operated throughout Morris, Essex and Sussex counties. 

Ten bricks of heroin, six vehicles and $23,000 in alleged drug proceeds were seized this week after authorities rounded up the reputed heroin dealers, Knapp said.

“Tragically, Morris County has seen a significant increase of heroin-related deaths. This investigation is a clear example of how the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, will aggressively pursue individuals who are bringing this poison into our communities,” Knapp said.

Davieau, who co-owns the recently opened River Styx Grill with his wife, Sandy, imported more than 1,900 individual folds of heroin into Morris County for distribution, authorities said. He also owns Royal Communications of Wharton, a business that provides “communication needs to a host of law enforcement agencies throughout the State of New Jersey,” Knapp said.

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury said River Styx Grill opened while Davieau was being investigated, but Seabury would not comment if that new business sped up the investigation.

Davieau remains lodged in the Morris County Jail on $150,000 bail, no 10 percent option, on the following charges:

• One count of conspiracy to possess heroin with the intent to distribute greater than one-half ounce;
• 13 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin;
• 13 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute;
• 13 counts of conspiracy to distribute heroin;
• 2 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing;
• one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing;
• 9 counts of possession of heroin;
• 9 counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute;
• 9 counts of distribution of heroin;
• 5 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park;
• 5 counts of conspiracy to distribute heroin within 500 feet of a public park;
• 5 counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park;
• 5 counts of distribution of heroin within 500 feet of a public park.

The River Styx Grill was shuttered Tuesday after authorities executed search warrants on the restaurant as well as Royal Communications.

Cory Pensa, part of Tuesday night's live entertainment at River Styx, said authorities forced him to pack up his equipment immediately and leave the premises.

"About 30 cops and dogs came in told us to pack up and get out right in the middle of our set. It was crazy."

Alleged co-conspirators 

Authorities also arrested six other members of the reputed drug distribution network. 

Frank L. Griffin, 51, of Newark was the source of the heroin, Knapp said. He is lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $120,000 bail, no 10 percent option on the following charges:

• 3 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin;
• 3 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute;
• 3 counts of conspiracy to distribute heroin;
• 3 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute within 500 ft. of public housing;
• 1 count of conspiracy to distribute heroin within 500 ft. of public housing;
• 1 count of possession of heroin;
• 1 count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute;
• 1 count of distribution of heroin;
• 1 count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 ft. of public housing;
• 1 count of distribution of heroin within 500 ft. of public housing.

Amanda Skinner, 25, of Hopatcong is lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $50,000 bail with a 10 percent option on the following charges:

• 2 counts of conspiracy to possess heroin;
• 1 count of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute;
• 1 count of conspiracy to distribute heroin;
• 1 count of possess heroin;
• 1 count of possess heroin with intent to distribute;
• 1 count of distribution of heroin.

Skinner also was arrested in November 2011 after police said they found her with a syringe in her hand in a bathtub. She then told authorities she was had just injected heroin into her body.

Rachael Dean, 29, of Hopatcong is lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $50,000 bail on the following charges:

• 1 count of conspiracy to possess heroin;
• 1 count of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute;
• 1 count of conspiracy to distribute heroin;
• 1 count of possession of heroin;
• 1 count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute;
• 1 count of distribution of heroin;
• 1 count of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute within 500 ft. of a public park;
• 1 count of conspiracy to distribute heroin within 500 ft. of a public park;
• 1 count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 ft. of a Public Park;
• 1 count of distribution of heroin within 500 ft. of a public park;

Jimmy Mauer, 25, of Andover is jailed on $10,000 bail with a 10 percent option on conspiracy to possess heroin and possession of heroin charges.

Maria McHugh, 28, of Ledgewood is jailed on $35,000 bail with a 10 percent option on conspiracy to possess heroin and possession of heroin charges.

Joseph Pokrzywa, 28, of Hopatcong is jailed on $45,000 bail with a 10 percent option on conspiracy to possess heroin and possession of heroin charges.

Pokrzywa was wanted by the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office in November 2010, according to lehighvalleylive.com, for allegedly stealing from a car. He was charged at the time with theft and burglary.

A bail hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday for all charged, Seabury said.

Jason Koestenblatt contributed to this report.