New First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor and Chief of Detectives Appointed

Published on December 23, 2020

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll announced today that he promoted Margaret M. Calderwood to be his First Assistant Prosecutor and he named Christoph Kimker as his Chief of Detectives.

Calderwood has been a member of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office for over two decades and an Assistant Prosecutor for over twenty-five years. Prior to being promoted, she served as Chief Assistant Prosecutor, managing the Tactical Division, which included the Major Crimes, Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment and Domestic Violence Units, and the Courts & Administration Division, which includes the General Investigations and Pretrial Services Units.

Chief Kimker had been Acting Chief of Detectives at the office since April 9, 2019.

Acting Prosecutor Carroll said that making these important promotions of Calderwood and Kimker from within the Prosecutor's Office demonstrates their confidence in the two talented and dedicated law enforcement professionals who have served Morris County for decades.

Carroll went on to note that both professionals possess the integrity,(JPG, 562KB) commitment and skills necessary to help guide law enforcement in these most challenging and evolutionary times, and will play key leadership roles in the future of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Acting Prosecutor Carroll took office Oct. 14, after being tapped by Governor Phil Murphy to replace Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp. Carroll is leading the office as a special state Deputy Attorney General, and Governor Murphy has announced plans to formally nominate him to the post, which requires a confirmation process before the state Senate Judiciary Committee and a vote by the full state Senate.

Prior to being Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Calderwood held the title of Executive Assistant Prosecutor for five years and supervised the entire legal staff. She has held supervisory roles in various units, including Supervising Assistant Prosecutor of the Professional Standards Unit, the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and the Trial Division.

Calderwood has prosecuted a significant number of high-profile cases and jury trials, including high-profile murder, aggravated manslaughter/vehicular homicide, and sexual assault cases, including State v. Anthony Novellino. She has received commendations and was honored by the Superior Court of New Jersey Morris/Sussex Vicinage and Morris/Sussex County Bar Association as part of the 2019 "Women Pioneers in the Law" Exhibit. She serves as co-chair to the Morris County Bar Association's Criminal Practice Committee, and holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Moravian College and Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Chief Kimker, prior to joining the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, served as an Environmental Specialist in Morris County, supervising the Environmental Services Unit, coordinating the County Environmental Health Act and the Morris County Hazardous Material Team. In October 2004, he was hired as a Detective and assigned to the Major Crimes and Arson/Environmental Crimes Unit.

Promoted to the rank of Detective Supervisor in 2013, he was transferred to the Major Crimes Unit a year later. Over the course of the following five years, Chief Kimker was promoted through the chain of command while working in the Major Crimes Unit and the Specialized Crimes Division, and he was promoted to Captain of the Specialized Crimes Division and the Family Division in August 2018.

Throughout his career, Chief Kimker has served on the Weapons of Mass Destruction Assessment Team, was a Team Leader and member of the Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Rapid Deployment Team. He is also a certified Officer Firearms Instructor. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Seton Hall University and M.A. in Environmental Management from Montclair State University.

A formal promotion ceremony will be held in early January 2021.

The former First Assistant Prosecutor, Thomas A. Zelante, is retiring effective December 31, 2020. He has served as First Assistant Prosecutor in the Morris County Prosecutor's Office for 13 years. Among other matters, his responsibilities included acting as the prosecutor in his absence, overseeing the Financial, Victim Witness and Fraud Units, reviewing Internal Affairs matters, reviewing indictments, reviewing briefs, reviewing all aspects of budgeting, acting as office liaison on community matters, and other administrative and legal duties.

"It has been my honor working with the men and women of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office for the last 13 years, and I wish Acting Prosecutor Carroll, incoming First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood, and Chief Kimker much success," Zelante said.

Acting Prosecutor Carroll expressed his appreciation for Zelante's years of service. He and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office wishes him well in any future endeavors.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at mknab@co.morris.nj.us or by phone at 973-829-8159.