HANOVER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Two people were arrested following a traffic stop and drug investigation in Hanover Township last month, police said, after officers determined both suspects had provided false information about their identities.
Hanover Township police said the investigation began Jan. 5, 2026, when officers responded to the Red Carpet Inn on a report of a possible drug interaction. Officers later learned the individuals involved had left the motel to purchase drugs.
A short time later, an officer observed a vehicle matching the description provided and initiated a traffic stop on Route 10 after witnessing multiple traffic violations, police said.
During the stop, the female passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt, told officers she did not have identification and identified herself as Tanya McKevitt. The driver, identified as Joseph Viviani, 62, of Whippany, also told officers the passenger was Tanya, police said.
Due to suspected drug use, officers requested assistance from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. Police said the canine alerted to the presence of controlled dangerous substances inside the vehicle. Viviani declined to give consent to search the vehicle, which was then towed to police headquarters and secured while officers sought a search warrant.
Police later determined the passenger’s true identity was Michelle Luchi, 39, of Hopatcong, and that both individuals had provided false information. Officers also learned Luchi had multiple outstanding warrants for her arrest.
Both Luchi and Viviani were taken to police headquarters and later lodged in the Morris County Jail pending detention hearings.
Several days later, after a judge issued a search warrant, officers searched the vehicle and recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with a prescription legend drug, police said.
Both suspects were charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a prescription legend drug. Luchi, who remained incarcerated, was served with the additional charges.
Viviani had been released from custody and failed to respond to police, authorities said. His charges were issued on a complaint warrant, and he was entered into the National Crime Information Center database as a wanted person.
