Tag:

Official Misconduct

Local NJ Police Sergeant Took Child Porn Images From Investigation For Himself: AG Local NJ Police Sergeant Took Child Porn Images From Investigation For Himself: AG
Child Porn Vineland Police A local South Jersey police sergeant cherry-picked child porn images for himself from a case that his department was investigating, a grand jury indictment charges. Suspended Vineland Police Officer Christopher Ortiz, 39, of Estell Manor "requested from a subordinate and obtained via email" at least 17 images from a child pornography investigation for unauthorized use, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. All told, investigators found that Ortiz "possessed, viewed, or had under his control at least 100 items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children," the attorney …
Atlantic City HS Principal Didn't Report Child Abuse Claim By Student: Prosecutors Atlantic City HS Principal Didn't Report Child Abuse Claim By Student: Prosecutors
Constance Days-Chapman Charged The principal of Atlantic City High School was accused of failing to properly report a student's claim of being abused by their parents, authorities said. Constance Days-Chapman was charged via summons on Thursday, Mar. 28 with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree hindering apprehension of another, fourth-degree obstruction of justice, and disorderly persons failure to report child abuse. The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced the charges in a news release. Investigators said an ACHS student told a school staff member on Monday, Jan. 22 about physical and emotional abu…
Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For NYPD Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For NYPD Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman
Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For Nypd Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman UPDATE: The other shoe finally dropped with the arrests of three Paterson police officers in connection with what authorities said was the kidnapping and brutal beating of an off-duty female NYPD commander from New Jersey by a fellow captain she'd been dating. Giuseppe Ciarla, Juan Cruz-Fernandez and Jason Schmid let then-NYPD Capt. Hariton Marachilian leave after finding the victim with clearly visible injuries from a vicious beating outside a Paterson restaurant in December 2022, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Marachilian and the female captain had been out to dinner wi…
NJ National Guard Recruiter Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen In Hamilton Township NJ National Guard Recruiter Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen In Hamilton Township
NJ National Guard Recruiter Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen In Hamilton Township A New Jersey Army National Guard recruiter was accused of sexually assaulting a teen girl, authorities said. Shawn Nguyen, 44, of Egg Harbor Township, was arrested on Monday, Mar. 11. The Township of Hamilton Police Department announced his arrest in a news release.  An investigation into Nguyen began in June 2022 when Township of Hamilton officers responded to a report of a "female in distress" at the Wawa gas station on Black Horse Pike in Mays Landing. Investigators said Nguyen used his position as a recruiter to sexually assault the 16-year-old girl.  Nguyen was cha…
Teacher Accused Of Molesting Girl In South Jersey Dies Weeks Before Trial Teacher Accused Of Molesting Girl In South Jersey Dies Weeks Before Trial
Teacher Accused Of Molesting Girl In South Jersey Dies Weeks Before Trial A South Jersey teacher accused of molesting a 12-year-old student in 2020 has died just weeks before his trial, according to an obituary published by Farnelli Funeral Home. Paul A. VanHouten Jr., 57, of Williamstown, died on Thursday, Feb. 22. A cause of death was not mentioned in the obit. The story was first reported by NJ Advance Media. His attorney, Robert N. Agre, was in court and unavailable for comment when Daily Voice reached out Monday, Feb. 26. A trial for VanHouten was set to begin on March 4 on charges of second-degree sexual assault, child endangerment and official miscon…
Former South Jersey Police Officer Indicted For Leaking College Women's Nude Pics: Prosecutors Former South Jersey Police Officer Indicted For Leaking College Women's Nude Pics: Prosecutors
Former South Jersey Police Officer Indicted For Leaking College Women's Nude Pics: Prosecutors A former Mount Laurel police officer was indicted after prosecutors said he hacked into the social media accounts of female college students and leaked nude pictures of them. A grand jury issued an indictment against 24-year-old Ayron Taylor of Moorestown on 96 counts, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw announced on Tuesday, Feb. 22. He was charged in 2022 and investigators said he illegally accessed more than 5,000 student email accounts from Rowan College at Burlington County. Taylor was indicted on Thursday, Feb. 15. He was charged with 54 counts of elements of computer th…
School Custodian Indicted For Urinating, Spreading Feces On Children's Food In South Jersey School Custodian Indicted For Urinating, Spreading Feces On Children's Food In South Jersey
School Custodian Indicted For Urinating, Spreading Feces On Children's Food In South Jersey A Cumberland County grand jury has indicted a school custodian on charges that he intentionally contaminated food and utensils with bodily fluids and bleach. Giovanni A. Impellizzeri, 26, of Vineland, worked at Elizabeth F. Moore School in Upper Deerfield, where prosecutors say he put feces in food, rubbed his anus and genitals on bread, sprayed bleach on vegetables, urinated in mixing bowls, and performed sex acts with items at the school. A Cumberland County grand jury indicted Impellizzeri on charges including official misconduct, aggravated assault, knowingly tampering with food product…
Former Jersey Shore Mayor Sentenced For Taking Money From Parking Meters, Government Auctions Former Jersey Shore Mayor Sentenced For Taking Money From Parking Meters, Government Auctions
Former Jersey Shore Mayor Sentenced For Taking Money From Parking Meters, Government Auctions A former mayor of Ocean Gate will spend time in state prison for pocketing money from government auctions, parking meter funds, and scrap metal sales, authorities said. Paul Kennedy, 68, of Ocean Gate, was sentenced on Friday, Jan. 26 to three years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced. Kennedy pleaded guilty on Friday, Sept. 22 to pattern of official misconduct. As part of his plea deal, Kennedy is banned from holding public office or employment. Investigators said that while he was mayor, Kennedy took money from borough assets sold on the government auc…
Atlantic County Corrections Officer Sentenced For Smuggling Phones Into Jail Atlantic County Corrections Officer Sentenced For Smuggling Phones Into Jail
Gerald Oquendo Sentenced A former Atlantic County corrections officer will spend time in prison after he smuggled cell phones into the county's jail, authorities said. Gerald Oquendo, 35, of Mays Landing, was sentenced on Tuesday, Jan. 23 to three years in state prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced. He'll be eligible for parole after two years. Investigators said two family members of an inmate paid Oquendo to bring cell phones into the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Recorded audio captured the family members and inmate talking about the smuggling.  Surveillance video showed Oquendo br…
Jail Officer From Egg Harbor City Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor Jail Officer From Egg Harbor City Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor
Contraband Investigation At Atlantic County Justice Facility A sergeant at the Atlantic County Justice Facility is accused of hiding or destroying contraband taken from an inmate, prosecutors said. Fred Gilbert, 37, of Egg Harbor City is facing six charges related to an incident last year at the jail in Mays Landing, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10.  Gilbert is charged with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree witness tampering, fourth-degree obstruction, two counts of fourth-degree false reporting to law enforcement authorities, and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence. Prosecut…
Correctional Officer Charged With Taking Bribes To Smuggle Drugs, Tobacco, More Into NJ Jail Correctional Officer Charged With Taking Bribes To Smuggle Drugs, Tobacco, More Into NJ Jail
Correctional Officer Charged With Taking Bribes To Smuggle Drugs, Tobacco, More Into NJ Jail A New Jersey correctional police officer pocketed thousands of dollars in bribes from inmates in exchange for smuggling drugs, tobacco and other contraband into the Mercer County jail, authorities charged. Tyree L. Hobbs, 39, of Hamilton, was on the take for nearly five years, beginning in 2017 -- less than a year after he joined the Mercer County Department of Corrections, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. And although he paid some inmates in cash, others paid the $300 to $2,500 fee per delivery through mobile apps, the attorney general said. A grand jury in Trenton ind…
Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG
Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG Clark Township Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso was charged Monday, Nov. 20 with forging paperwork to nearly 24 New Jersey towns to allow his landscaping company to remove underground tanks, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Bonaccorso, 63, used township employees to help him run his private business, Bonaccorso and Son LLC, along with township devices like computers and fax machines, Platkin said following an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability Corruption Bureau. While running his business, Bonaccorso posed as an engineer, using his name, license num…
Atlantic County Worker Charged With Stealing EBT Card: Prosecutor Atlantic County Worker Charged With Stealing EBT Card: Prosecutor
Atlantic County Worker Charged With Stealing EBT Card: Prosecutor Three people including an Atlantic County public employee were indicted on multiple counts for their roles in the theft and unauthorized use of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, authorities said. Corie M. Pittman was indicted by an Atlantic County grand jury on several counts alleging second-degree official misconduct and third-degree theft, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Kelly N. Pittman and Robert D. Swaggerty were indicted for second-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct and third-degree theft, the prosecutor said. In June of 2022, an eligi…
South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor
South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor Returned lab results show an elementary school janitor accused of contaminating food and utensils with his own bodily fluids at his place of employment show no communicable diseases, authorities in South Jersey said. Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, was previously charged with aggravated assault, tampering with food and official misconduct for the heinous incidents at the Elizabeth Moore School in the Upper Deerfield School District, where he has worked since 2019, as previously reported by Daily Voice. "Based upon all available test results and clinical criteria, we have d…
Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted
Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted UPDATE: A corrections officer who was charged with collecting up to $500 a month in bribes to smuggle cold cuts, espresso, jewelry and cologne into a New Jersey prison for a convict known as “Tommy Two Times” is now under indictment. Werner Gramajo, a 46-year-old senior correctional officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, admitted only to delivering the pressed meats -- and not any of the other items -- after he was caught, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Gramajo, of Newark, also claimed that he wasn’t paid for it, Platkin said in announcing the indictment on Wednes…
South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor
South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor An elementary school janitor in South Jersey faces multiple charges, including child endangerment, for allegedly contaminating food and utensils with bleach and bodily fluids. UPDATE: Police Papers Detail Heinous Accusations Against NJ School Janitor, Parents Livid Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, also is charged with aggravated assault, tampering with food and official misconduct. Impellizzeri was employed by the Elizabeth Moore School in the Upper Deerfield School District. According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey State Police were contacted by scho…
Inmate's Relatives Paid Burlington Corrections Officer To Bring Him Pot, Tobacco: Prosecutor Inmate's Relatives Paid Burlington Corrections Officer To Bring Him Pot, Tobacco: Prosecutor
Inmate's Relatives Paid Burlington Corrections Officer To Bring Him Pot, Tobacco: Prosecutor A former corrections officer at the Burlington County Jail has been arrested on accusations he supplied an inmate with marijuana and tobacco, authorities announced. Abraham Olmedia's arrest comes after the odor of burnt tobacco emanated from a cell, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said. The 27-year-old Burlington resident had supplied the inmate in that cell at the Mount Holly facility with tobacco and marijuana on multiple occasions, and was compensated financially by the inmate's relatives, Bradshaw said. Olmeida was charged with Official Misconduct (Second Degr…
Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor A patrolman at the Jersey Shore has been arrested and charged with engaging in a pattern of illegal behavior with a teenage girl, authorities said. Kevin Ruditsky, 46, who works in Manalapan Township, is believed to have sent the 16-year-old girl sexually explicit photos and handcuffed her during a traffic stop, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. An investigation by the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit was initiated earlier this month upon learning that Ruditsky had been sending inappropriate messages and photos to a 16-year-old girl, …
Code Enforcement Officer Stole $75K In South Jersey: Prosecutor Code Enforcement Officer Stole $75K In South Jersey: Prosecutor
Code Enforcement Officer Stole $75K In South Jersey: Prosecutor A code enforcement officer for the City of Ventnor has been charged with stealing more than $75,000, authorities said. Michelle Calderon, 37, of Egg Harbor Township, was charged with official misconduct, misapplication of entrusted property and altering computer software to commit theft on Tuesday, Aug. 22, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. The charges stem from an investigation that began when the City of Ventnor observed a discrepancy within its financial ledgers. It is alleged that from 2021 through 2023, Calderon took cash transactions from citizens an…
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Reindicted For Scamming Health Benefits Program Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Reindicted For Scamming Health Benefits Program
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Reindicted For Scamming Health Benefits Program State authorities rebounded from a dismissed case with a new indictment against Wildwood’s mayor, a former mayor, and a city commissioner on health fraud charges. Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury, Jr. cited a technicality in deep-sixing the state’s initial case against Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron, former Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. and current City Commissioner Steve Mikulski nearly six weeks ago. The judge left the door open for state prosecutors to take another crack at it. A grand jury, in turn, returned a new indictment that New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said “demonstrates …
Atlantic City Police Payroll Employee Billed For Hours She Wasn't At Work: Prosecutor Atlantic City Police Payroll Employee Billed For Hours She Wasn't At Work: Prosecutor
Atlantic City Police Payroll Employee Billed For Hours She Wasn't At Work: Prosecutor A civilian employee of the Atlantic City Police Department, who was in charge of payroll, billed for hours of work when she wasn't at work, authorities said. Suzanne Ricketts, 43, of Pleasantville, was indicted by an Atlantic County grand jury for official misconduct, theft by deception, and computer crimes on Thursday, July 20, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. In 2020, the Atlantic City Police Department began investigating alleged discrepancies in Ricketts’ timesheets, the prosecutor said. Review of the surveillance and computer systems showed differen…
Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG
Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG A local New Jersey police chief who’d already been charged with sexually preying on women is facing new allegations, the state’s top cop announced on Tuesday. Following his suspension amid sexual assault allegations, Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst wrongfully held onto his badge, then displayed it as if was still on active duty to a police officer who’d pulled him over late this past January, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. The charge was contained in an eight-count indictment returned by a state grand jury that focused mostly on what the attorney general called “sexually pred…
TikToking Teacher Posted Nudes To Twitter, Took Sexual Photos In Classroom: Ocean Prosecutor TikToking Teacher Posted Nudes To Twitter, Took Sexual Photos In Classroom: Ocean Prosecutor
TikToking Teacher Posted Nudes To Twitter, Took Sexual Photos In Classroom: Ocean Prosecutor An Ocean County educator who was active on TikTok is facing multiple charges for posting nude photos of himself to Twitter, and sharing inappropriate photos of himself with a student over Snapchat, authorities said. Some of the photos that Kyle Banner, 48 — a teacher at both Toms River Intermediate North and Ocean County College — show him engaging in sexual contact with himself in a classroom, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.  The photos published on Twitter were viewed by students, and Banner was suspended without pay from TRIN on April 24, a day after the…
Park Ranger Billed Mercer County 298 Hours Of Work While At Home: Prosecutor Park Ranger Billed Mercer County 298 Hours Of Work While At Home: Prosecutor
Park Ranger Billed Mercer County 298 Hours Of Work While At Home: Prosecutor A park ranger from Mercer County spent about 298 hours at home when he said he was at work, a complaint shows. James J. Romano III falsified 64 patrol logs between July 27, 2002, and Jan. 17, 2023, which totaled 298.5 hours and $5,728 in stolen wages, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. Romano III, 34, of Hamilton, was charged in March with official misconduct, tampering with public records and theft by deception, according to the complaint.
DUAL BOMBSHELLS: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases DUAL BOMBSHELLS: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases
Dual Bombshells: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases Two New Jersey police chiefs – one retired, the other suspended – are separately charged as sexual predators within their departments. Suspended Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst continued a pattern of “sexually predatory behavior targeting multiple women over many years,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in announcing the charges on Wednesday, April 12. One victim who worked for the department was sexually assaulted by Herbst both at headquarters and at her home, the attorney general said. Former Howell Township Police Chief Andrew Kudrick, meanwhile, “had an extramarit…
NO PAROLE: Ex-NJ Trooper Gets 5 Years For Using ID To Skate From Traffic Stops While Suspended NO PAROLE: Ex-NJ Trooper Gets 5 Years For Using ID To Skate From Traffic Stops While Suspended
NO Parole: Ex-NJ Trooper Gets 5 Years For Using ID To Skate From Traffic Stops While Suspended UPDATE: A disgraced former New Jersey State Police sergeant was sentenced to five years in prison without parole after a jury convicted him of using an ID card to get out of a string of Jersey Shore traffic stops while he was suspended from the force. Ex-NJSP Sgt. Marc Dennis, 51, of Waretown, also must forfeit his pension and cannot be publicly employed in New Jersey ever again, state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Dennis shouldn’t have had the identification card in his possession after being relieved of his authority during the suspension, Platkin said. The 17-year department…
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Indicted In Health Benefits Scam Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Indicted In Health Benefits Scam
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Indicted In Health Benefits Scam UPDATE: Less than a week after pleading guilty to federal tax evasion, Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron was indicted by a state grand jury along with two other elected officials in an alleged health insurance scam. Byron, former Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr., and current City Commissioner Steve Mikulski fraudulently participated in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), the indictment alleges. In order to be eligible for the benefits, they needed to be full-time employees “whose hours of work are fixed at 35 or more per week” in their elected positions, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin ex…
Jersey Shore Charter School Leaders Steered $115G Contract To Founder's Side Biz: Indictment Jersey Shore Charter School Leaders Steered $115G Contract To Founder's Side Biz: Indictment
Jersey Shore Charter School Leaders Steered $115G Contract To Founder's Side Biz: Indictment The founder of a Jersey Shore charter school and its business administrator illegally steered a $115,000 contract to the founder’s side business, state authorities charged. Peter Caporilli, 59, of Absecon, and Michael Falkowski, 48, of Point Pleasant, split a single project to build an outdoor learning center at Principle Academy in Egg Harbor Township into two smaller contracts for $40,000 and $75,000, respectively, a grand jury found. They did so to evade public bidding requirements and prevent competing contractors from bidding on the first phase of the job, an indictment returned by the…
Beach Patrol Member Indicted For Sexual Assault In Cape May County: Prosecutor Beach Patrol Member Indicted For Sexual Assault In Cape May County: Prosecutor
Beach Patrol Member Indicted For Sexual Assault In Cape May County: Prosecutor A grand jury has indicted a former member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol for sexual assault, authorities said. Jonathan C. Howell, 41, of Marmora, was indicted for aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, official misconduct and child endangerment, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland In April 2021, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office was notified of a social media post that made numerous allegations against the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Since that time, the Prosecutor's Office has conducted a thorough investigation into these allegations. …
Disgraced Ex-Paterson Officer Charged With Assault Of Second Defenseless Suspect Disgraced Ex-Paterson Officer Charged With Assault Of Second Defenseless Suspect
Disgraced Ex-Paterson Officer Charged With Assault Of Second Defenseless Suspect A former Paterson police officer already awaiting trial for beating one suspect over the head with a flashlight has been charged with doing it to another. Spencer Finch, 46, of Mahwah, broke a victim’s nose, knocked out two of his teeth and chipped another outside a Quick’s Food Store on Dec. 22, 2018, an indictment returned by a grand jury in Paterson alleges. In a subsequent use-of-force report, Finch said he was arresting the robbery suspect when he “became belligerent with police and shouted profanities,” Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said in announcing the indictment on W…
NJ Corrections Officer Admits Sucker-Punching Handcuffed Delinquent NJ Corrections Officer Admits Sucker-Punching Handcuffed Delinquent
NJ Corrections Officer Admits Sucker-Punching Handcuffed Delinquent UPDATE: A now-former senior correctional police officer at a New Jersey youth facility admitted punching a handcuffed inmate from behind while colleagues held him and then lying about it, authorities announced Tuesday. Jason Parks, 43, of Gibbstown, admitted he hit the inmate twice in the head while his arms were handcuffed behind him at the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility in Burlington County on Feb. 19, 2019, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said on Dec. 20. “The inmate was being held by two other correctional police officers and facing away from Parks at the time,” Platki…