Haskell man arrested for multiple weapons charges

Charlie Dwyer

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik, and Wanaque Police Chief Robert Kronyak announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wanaque Police Department, Michael Wierciszewski, 23-years old, of Haskell, New Jersey, was arrested on November 30, 2021 in connection with the discovery of multiple destructive devices and other weapons in his residence in Haskell, New Jersey on November 24, 2021.

Mr. Wierciszewski was charged with four counts of third degree Possession of a Destructive Device, one count of second degree Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm, one count of fourth degree Tampering with Physical Evidence, one count of fourth degree Possession of a Firearm Silencer, one count of fourth degree Possession of a Metal Knuckle, one count of fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, one count of disorderly persons Possession of Handcuffs, and four counts of petty disorderly persons Possession of Fireworks.

On November 24, 2021, officers responded to the defendant’s home in order to conduct an investigation, at which time the weapons and destructive devices were discovered among Mr. Wierciszewski’s personal property in his residence and in his car. The subsequent investigation also revealed that Mr. Wierciszewski tampered with evidence by damaging a family members cell phone in an attempt to destroy a video of him making threats of violence against that family member. The family member in question will remain unidentified pursuant to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

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The sentencing exposure on second degree Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm is between five and ten years in New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on third degree Possession of a Destructive Device, it is 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison; on fourth degree Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of a Firearm Silencer, Possession of a Metal Knuckle, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, it is up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison; on disorderly persons Unlawful Possession of Handcuffs, it is up to six months in Passaic County Jail; and on petty disorderly persons Possession of Fireworks, it is up to 30 days in Passaic County Jail.


The State has filed a motion for pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge on a date and time to be determined by the Court. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or to contact the Wanaque Police Department at (973) 835-5600. For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Senior Assistant Prosecutor Julie Serfess of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at Jserfess@passaiccountynj.org or at (973) 837-7718.


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