Police: Parsippany Man, 2 Others Busted for Drugs, Child Endangerment

A Parsippany man and two Budd Lake residents were arrested Friday for possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, and endangering the welfare of a child, Mt. Olive Police said.

Just before 5 p.m. on Friday, Mt. Olive Det. Anthony Gardner went with Department of Children Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to an apartment on Route 46 for a report of child neglect, Officer Michael Russell said.

Once inside, Gardner smelled a strong odor of marijuana and located drug paraphernalia out in plain view, Russell said. Inside the apartment was Rhys Decosta, 25, of Budd Lake; Shana Aviles, 28, of Budd Lake; and Mark Aromin, 33, of Parsippany.

During an investigation it was learned Decosta has an active warrant out of Parsippany Municipal Court in the amount of $350, Russell said. While on scene, Gardner said Decosta attempted to swallow cocaine but was unsuccessful, Russell said.

Decosta was arrested and charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance, destruction of evidence, and endangering the welfare of a child. Aviles was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and Aromin was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Further investigation found heroin, cocaine, suboxone, marijuana, and MDMA – also known as ecstacy, Russell said.

DCPP took custody of the children in the home, Russell said. The number and ages of the children were not released by police. Decosta was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on $30,000 bail with a 10-percent option.

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