09/26/2026
Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Promotes Investigative Officers, Swears in New Chief and Deputy Chief
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood announce the promotion of four Investigative Officers, and the swearing in of Mark Castellano as the Chief of Detectives of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and Joseph Costello as Deputy Chief of Detectives of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
A ceremony was held on September 24, 2026, in the Commissioners’ Public Meeting Room.
The following investigative officers were promoted and assigned as indicated:
• Sasha Gould was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to supervise the Professional Standards and Financial Crimes units within the Specialized Crimes Division.
Lieutenant Gould has been a Detective with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office since 2013. She began her law enforcement career in 2009 with the New Jersey Transit Police Department.
As a Detective with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Lieutenant Gould worked in the Major Crimes Unit, the Professional Standards Unit, Financial Crimes Unit, Intelligence and Homeland Security Units and the Bias Crimes Unit. In May 2019, Lieutenant Gould was promoted to the rank of Detective/Supervisor where she was assigned to the Major Crimes Unit and later the Missing Persons and Juvenile Units. Lieutenant Gould was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 2021 and assigned to the Major Crimes Unit and later the Intelligence and Homeland Security Units.
Lieutenant Gould holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University, where she was recognized on the Dean’s List for academic achievement.
Lieutenant Gould has completed several leadership courses, including the FBI-LEEDA Supervisor, Command, and Executive Leadership Institutes Trilogy.
Lieutenant Gould received several Commendations throughout her career to include a Commendation from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Excellence in Homicide Investigation Award by the New Jersey Homicide Investigators Association for her role in the investigation of the 40-year-old Baby Mary cold case homicide.
• Stephanie Merced was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to supervise the Domestic Violence and Juvenile/Missing Persons units within the Family Division.
Sergeant Merced began her law enforcement career in 2009 and joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2014. Throughout her career, she has served in General Investigations, S*x Crimes/Child Endangerment, Narcotics, and the Family Division, where she has built extensive experience in complex investigations, supervision, training, and leadership.
Sergeant Merced has served as lead detective on numerous significant investigations involving sexual assault, child endangerment, human trafficking, and Internet Crimes Against Children. Her investigative work has resulted in successful prosecutions and multiple commendations throughout her assignments in S*x Crimes/Child Endangerment, Narcotics, and Missing Persons. Her proficiency in Spanish has also made her a valuable resource to Major Crimes and other law enforcement partners during complex investigations.
Promoted to Detective Supervisor in 2017, Merced has supervised detectives and task force officers, coordinated operations with local, state, and federal agencies, served as a Top Gun squad coordinator, and helped implement Operation Helping Hand in Morris County. Most recently, she assumed leadership responsibilities within the Family Division, overseeing four units while mentoring detectives, managing investigations, and coordinating missing person responses.
Beyond her investigative and supervisory responsibilities, Sergeant Merced serves as a Crisis Negotiator, Resiliency Officer, Field Training Officer, Morris County Public Safety Training Academy instructor, and LGBTQ+ Law Enforcement Liaison. She became the first detective within a Prosecutor’s Office to serve as an LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer and organized Morris County’s inaugural National Coming Out Day event.
• Matthew Belcastro was promoted to the rank of Detective Supervisor and assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit within the Family Division.
Detective Supervisor Belcastro began his law enforcement career with the Chatham Borough Police Department in 2013, where he served for more than seven years as a Police Officer and Officer in Charge. During his time in Chatham, he served as an acting patrol supervisor, fi****ms instructor, and coordinator of the department’s Project Lifesaver program. His service was recognized through several awards and commendations, including the Morris County 200 Club Valor Award, an Honorable Service Award, and a Meritorious Service Award.
In October 2020, Detective Supervisor Belcastro joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a Detective. Since that time, he has served in the General Investigations Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Financial Crimes Unit, Professional Standards Unit, and Domestic Violence Unit, as well as on assignment to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Cold Case Task Force. In addition to his investigative assignments, he serves as a fi****ms instructor and armorer, Humane Law Enforcement Officer, and administrator of the Office’s E-Portal Discovery Program.
Detective Supervisor Belcastro earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Kutztown University and a Master of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he also earned graduate certificates in Emergency Management Administration and Global Security and Terrorism Studies. He is a certified New Jersey Police Training Commission instructor and serves as an instructor at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy.
• Mark Rodgers was promoted to the rank of Detective Supervisor and assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit within the Special Operations Divisions.
Detective Supervisor Rodgers began his law enforcement career in 2006 with the East Orange Police Department. Within his first year, he was promoted from the patrol division to the Street Crimes Unit. In 2013, he was promoted to Detective in the Criminal Investigation Bureau and in 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to supervise the Street Crimes Unit. A year later, he was reassigned to supervise the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
In 2017, Detective Supervisor Rodgers was hired by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a Detective. During his tenure with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, he has been assigned to the General Investigations Unit, the S*x Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, the Major Crimes Unit, and the Digital Forensics Investigations Unit. While assigned to the Digital Forensics Investigations Unit, Detective Supervisor Rodgers developed extensive expertise in digital evidence recovery and analysis, which led to his qualification as an expert witness in Mobile Device Technologies. In December 2023, he was assigned to conduct a forensic examination, prepare an expert report, and testify on a first degree Armed Robbery prosecution, which ultimately contributed to a guilty verdict and a sentence of 50 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Detective Supervisor Rodgers is currently assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit and serves as the breacher on the Special Operations Division Tactical Team. He has also served as the State Delegate for PBA Local 327 since April 2023.
For more on the professional careers of Chief Castellano and Deputy Chief Costello, please visit this link. https://ow.ly/UjFC50ZRwlY
Prosecutor Carroll said, “The MCPO is fortunate to have the depth of law enforcement experience that is represented by today’s promoted personnel. I am very confident our Office’s supervision and operations will continue at the high level of competency and performance that the MCPO has been known for. Chief Castellano and Deputy Chief Costello have demonstrated those qualities which are needed to lead our talented investigative personnel, as well as maintain beneficial professional relationships among law enforcement agencies at the local, county, state, and federal levels. When teamed with our highly skilled legal and support personnel, these leaders and our established associations all serve to maximize the effective protection of our communities from criminal elements. We congratulate all our promoted personnel on their achievements.”
First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood said, “We are so thankful to have such dedicated and skilled leaders at the MCPO, as demonstrated in those promoted today. Our office is in good hands with Chief Castellano and Deputy Chief Costello leading the way. Congratulations to them and all promoted, as it is a truly well-deserved recognition of their hard work!”
