Sussex County man pleads guilty to resisting arrest, attempt to disarm an officer, other charges

NEWTON, NJ (Sussex County) – A Sussex County man has entered a guilty plea to resisting arrest, attempt to disarm a law enforcement officer and other charges, according to Sussex County Prosecutor Francis A. Koch.

Michael A. Liska, 29, of Hopatcong Borough pled guilty to third-degree receiving stolen property, third-degree resisting arrest, fourth-degree obstruction, second-degree attempt to disarm a law enforcement officer, three disorderly persons and two motor vehicle offenses, including driving while intoxicated before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus, J.S.C. at the Sussex County Courtroom in Newton on May 25, Koch said.

According to Koch, in pleading guilty, Liska admitted to committing theft on or about January 26 by knowingly receiving or bringing into this state a 2008 White Jeep Liberty belonging to a victim located in New York.

Liska also admitted to subsequently attempting to prevent officers from Hopatcong Borough Police Department from arresting him by kicking, head locking, and attempting to bite the arresting officers, as well as obstructing the detection or investigation of a crime or the prosecution of defendant for a crime by closing the vehicle door on an officer and trying to keep the door shut. He also admitted to purposely attempting to pull a firearm out of an officer’s duty holster, Koch said.

Liska is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2022 before the Honorable Robert M. Hanna, J.S.C., Koch said.

Liska was represented by Bruce Farrier, Esq., and the State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Sally Anne Monkemeier.