Madison Teen Arrested in Drug and Fake Gov't ID Scheme After Yearlong Investigation

Massimo Suzuki-Scotti, 18, faces multiple first-degree charges following a joint local, state, and federal probe; second suspect also charged.

MADISON, NJ — An 18-year-old Madison resident was arrested on May 5 following a yearlong investigation into alleged drug distribution and the sale of fraudulent government documents, authorities announced.

Massimo Suzuki-Scotti was taken into custody at 7:20 a.m. at his Elm Street residence after Madison Police detectives executed a search warrant. The arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Madison Police Department’s Division of Investigations, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The investigation began with reports of Suzuki-Scotti’s alleged involvement in illegal activity within the borough.

According to the Madison Police Department, Suzuki-Scotti faces multiple charges including two first-degree counts each of selling or transferring false government documents and distributing over 100 milligrams of LSD. Additional charges include second-degree conspiracy to offer a false government document for sale, third-degree possession of LSD and marijuana with intent to distribute under five pounds, fourth-degree possession of marijuana and possession of false identification documents, and a disorderly person’s offense for receiving stolen property. He also faces a third-degree money laundering charge.

Suzuki-Scotti was processed at Madison Police Headquarters and remanded to the Morris County Jail pending a first appearance in Superior Court.

A second individual, Caitlyn N. Van Order, 23, also of Madison, was arrested in connection with the same investigation. Van Order was taken into custody on May 6 at her Main Street residence and charged with possession of psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana under five pounds (both third-degree offenses), as well as conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana in quantities between one ounce and five pounds.

Van Order was released pending her first court appearance in Morris County Superior Court.

“This case is a result of the strong ties we have with our community and solid investigative work by our Madison Police Detectives, namely D/Sgt. Ken Shannon, Det. Jerry Mantone, Det. Jon Finocchiaro, and our Madison Police Officers, in addition to our Federal, State, and County law enforcement partners. We answered the quality-of-life issues reported from our residents and always will,” said Madison Police Chief John R. Miscia.

The investigation received further support from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit and the Morris County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation and K-9 Unit.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.