River Styx Grill Owner Supplied Us Heroin, Admitted Drug Users Testify

Two women admitted they were heroin addicts in state Superior Court in Morristown Wednesday, and pointed to River Styx Grill owner and Jefferson resident John A. Davieau as their drug dealer, the Daily Record reported.

Hopatcong resident Rachael Dean, 30, and Maria McHugh, 28, of Ledgewood, each pleaded guilty in July to a charge of conspiracy to possess heroin. Dean testified under oath that Davieau's supply allowed her to take a minimum of 20 folds of heroin every day over eight months. She said she met with the restaurant owner, 55, in numerous sites in Morris and Sussex counties, the article said. McHugh said she dealt with him once in Roxbury.

Davieau and six others were charged Aug. 6 with drug offenses; the restaurant owner—who has put the River Styx Grill up for sale—faces nearly 100 counts, including distribution and conspiracy. Free on $150,000 bail, the man gave up his ownership in Royal Communications, which serves New Jersey law enforcement agencies, the article said. Officials allege that Davieau led an operation that brought more than 1,900 individual folds of heroin into Morris and Sussex counties over at least six months. 

Dean’s plea deal will allow her to apply for the Morris County Drug Court program, which can keep her out of prison if she complies with stringent rules. If she is rejected, the article said, she could receive up to three years behind bars. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office recommended probation, 50 hours community service and possible drug treatment for McHugh. The article added that the two will be sentenced in December or January. Davieau's next court date at the Morristown courthouse is Nov. 13.