'Staten Island Hustle' Charges Dropped; Newark 'Bomb' Arrest

NEWARK, NJ — Prosecutors dropped charges against nine cast and crew members of the reality television show “Staten Island Hustle” on Friday, three months after they were arrested with a suspected “bomb” at Newark Airport.

“As part of an episode of the show, the men tried to bring a device - originally misinterpreted as being a bomb - through the x-ray screening at Newark Liberty International Airport,” the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office stated Friday.

The item – which was placed inside a carry-on bag – resembled an explosive device. It was later found to not be a threat, police said.

Some of the group were filming the encounter. None were able to produce media credentials, authorities said.

• See related article: 'TV Crew' Arrested With Fake Explosive At Newark Airport

On Jan. 18, the cast and crew members were charged with creating a false alarm, conspiracy to create a false public alarm and interfering with public transportation.

They were cleared of the charges on Friday, prosecutors said.

“It has since been determined that the device was not a destructive device but a makeshift luggage-shrinking device designed by characters starring in a reality television show,” prosecutors said.

Authorities said that all charges will be dismissed against all nine defendants:

• Ronald Montano, 44, of Staten Island, New York
• Samuel Micah Berns, 39, of Hollywood, California
• Jacob M. Towsley, 34, of Portageville, New York
• Michael L. Palmer, 51, Staten Island, New York
• William Oaks, 36, of Brooklyn, New York
• Philip K. Nakagami, 26, of Jersey City
• Carlos F. Gonzalez, 33, of Queens, New York
• Timothy S. Duffy, 34, of Sparta, NJ
• Adolfo Lacola, 51, of Staten Island, New York

“The conduct engaged in by these individuals was ill-advised and demonstrated extremely poor judgment in this age of heightened security awareness, but it does not rise to the level of a knowing violation of the criminal laws of the State of New Jersey,” Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino said.

According to Laurino:

“As tempting as it is to use this case to make a public example of what NOT to do, based on all the facts and circumstances, we concluded that the charges had to be dismissed because they did not knowingly create a false public alarm, as required by the statute. Fortunately, the airport was not evacuated. No planes were grounded. No action was taken that disrupted the flow of activity at the airport that day. These individuals could face civil penalties but we have concluded they will not face a criminal prosecution in state court in New Jersey.”

“From our perspective, TSA officials did exactly what they are supposed to do,” Laurino said.

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Photo: Port Authority of NY/NJ