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Official Misconduct

Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say A former Middletown police sergeant was given 22 criminal charges after an investigation revealed a web of illegal activity involving untraceable guns, drugs, and abuse of power, authorities said. David Ringkamp, 43, was indicted by a grand jury, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 19. Ringkamp was formerly a Union Beach resident. The investigation into Ringkamp began in December 2021. New York State Police identified Nicholas D’Ambrosio of Millstone as someone purchasing kits to assemble ghost guns, which are illegal in New Jersey.…
Atlantic County Jail Officer Who Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate Indicted: Prosecutors Atlantic County Jail Officer Who Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate Indicted: Prosecutors
Atlantic County Jail Officer Who Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate Indicted: Prosecutors A former sergeant at the Atlantic County Justice Facility was indicted after being accused of hiding or destroying contraband taken from an inmate, prosecutors said. A grand jury handed down the indictment against Fred Gilbert of Egg Harbor City on Thursday, Dec. 12, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release on Monday, Dec. 16. Investigators said Gilbert, 38, "concealed or destroyed contraband" that was taken from an inmate at the Mays Landing jail on Monday, June 12, 2023. Gilbert told a junior officer to create a false report saying the c…
Hammonton PD Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor Hammonton PD Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor
Hammonton PD Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor A police sergeant in Hammonton is facing multiple charges after testing positive for methamphetamine and taking drugs from the department's evidence room, authorities said. Detective Sergeant Robert Zbikowski, 45, of Hammonton, was charged on Monday, Nov. 25, with second-degree official misconduct, second-degree pattern of official misconduct, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, and two fourth-degree charges: tampering with physical evidence and obstruction of law, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. In 2024, the Hammonton Police Department contacted the Atlantic County…
Ex-Con Who Sold Heroin From Egg Harbor Township Home Sentenced, Prosecutors Say Ex-Con Who Sold Heroin From Egg Harbor Township Home Sentenced, Prosecutors Say
Ex-Con Who Sold Heroin From Egg Harbor Township Home Sentenced, Prosecutors Say An Egg Harbor Township man will spend up to a decade in prison for using a home to sell heroin, authorities said. David Thomas, 28, was sentenced on Tuesday, Nov. 19 to 10 years in state prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release. He was convicted of first-degree maintaining a narcotics production facility, second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm and second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms, and third-degree money laundering and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from a Thursday, Ma…
Six NJ Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says Six NJ Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says
Six NJ Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says Six corrections officers were indicted after an inmate was pepper-sprayed and forcefully removed from his cell at a Burlington County detention center, authorities said. A grand jury indicted a sergeant and five senior corrections officers for the attack and subsequent coverup, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The incident happened at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, a center for adults 18-30 years old in Chesterfield Township. These were the officers charged in the case: Sgt. Michael Emmert, 40, Toms River Ch…
Jersey Shore Officer Who Stalked Girl Inappropriately Messaged Second Teen, Prosecutors Say Jersey Shore Officer Who Stalked Girl Inappropriately Messaged Second Teen, Prosecutors Say
Jersey Shore Officer Who Stalked Girl Inappropriately Messaged Second Teen, Prosecutors Say A Manalapan police officer was indicted after he was accused of inappropriately contacting a second teen girl, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 47-year-old Kevin Ruditsky on 19 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Oct. 24. Ruditsky is suspended without pay from his job as a patrolman for the Manalapan Township Police Department. Ruditsky was facing charges related to accusations of stalking a then-16-year-old girl in 2023. The indictment revealed new allegations against him from a second girl — who was 17 at the time — when…
Hunterdon County Animal Control Officer Refused To Return Bulldog: Prosecutor Hunterdon County Animal Control Officer Refused To Return Bulldog: Prosecutor
Hunterdon County Animal Control Officer Refused To Return Bulldog: Prosecutor A Hunterdon County animal control officer has been arrested and charged with official misconduct and theft after authorities say she refused to give a dog back to its rightful owner.  Carolyn Murphy, the Frenchtown Animal Control Officer, had been asked to take temporary custody of an American bulldog on April 11, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said. The dog had been seized from an Arkansas man who'd been transporting him for Kingpin Kennels, a breeder, after police stopped him for a traffic violation and found he'd been wanted on a warrant. The dog was valued a…
Atlantic City Mayor, Superintendent Indicted For Violent Abuse Of Daughter: Prosecutors Atlantic City Mayor, Superintendent Indicted For Violent Abuse Of Daughter: Prosecutors
Atlantic City Mayor, Superintendent Indicted For Violent Abuse Of Daughter: Prosecutors Atlantic City's mayor and schools superintendent were indicted after being accused of physically and emotionally abusing the couple's teen daughter, authorities said. A grand jury indicted Mayor Marty Small Sr., 50, and Dr. La'Quetta Small, 47, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Atlantic City Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. They were originally charged in the case on Monday, Apr. 15. Investigators said the couple violently abused their then-15-year-old daughter several times in December 2023 and January. In one incident, Mayor Small was accused of knocking her unconsc…
Atlantic City HS Principal Indicted In Mayor, Superintendent Child Abuse Cover-Up: Prosecutors Atlantic City HS Principal Indicted In Mayor, Superintendent Child Abuse Cover-Up: Prosecutors
Atlantic City HS Principal Indicted In Mayor, Superintendent Child Abuse Cover-Up: Prosecutors Atlantic City High School's principal was indicted after she was accused of covering up parental abuse claims by the daughter of the mayor and school superintendent, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 39-year-old Constance Days-Chapman of Atlantic City on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Atlantic City Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. She was previously charged on Thursday, Mar. 28. Investigators said a then-15-year-old told Days-Chapman in December 2023 that she suffered from "continuous headaches" because she was hit by her parents at home. According to prosecutors, Days-Chapman d…
'Send Pics, Pretty Lady': NJ Investigator Harassed Crime Victims With Sexual Messages, AG Says 'Send Pics, Pretty Lady': NJ Investigator Harassed Crime Victims With Sexual Messages, AG Says
'Send Pics, Pretty Lady': NJ Investigator Harassed Crime Victims With Sexual Messages, AG Says A former New Jersey investigator who worked with female victims of crimes was accused of having inappropriate and sexual conversations with those victims, authorities said. Guilherme Jamarino, 47, was charged with second-degree official misconduct, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release on Tuesday, July 30. The Point Pleasant man was an investigator with the state Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The VCCO is an agency in the Department of Law and Public Safety. It provides financial help to victims of crimes to "alleviate the economic an…
Former Ocean City Lifeguard Sentenced After Sexual Misconduct Investigation Former Ocean City Lifeguard Sentenced After Sexual Misconduct Investigation
Former Ocean City Lifeguard Sentenced After Sexual Misconduct Investigation A former Ocean City lifeguard and Atlantic County teacher avoided jail time after he was accused of sexual misconduct, authorities said. Jonathan Howell, 42, of Marmora, was sentenced on Tuesday, June 18 to four years probation, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release. Howell was a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and a teacher in the Pleasantville School District. Investigators said social media posts in April 2021 made several accusations against members of Ocean City Beach Patrol, including Howell. "Since that time the prosecuto…
South Jersey Teacher Who Molested Student, Had Victim's Nude Pics Indicted: Prosecutors South Jersey Teacher Who Molested Student, Had Victim's Nude Pics Indicted: Prosecutors
South Jersey Teacher Who Molested Student, Had Victim's Nude Pics Indicted: Prosecutors A Jackson Township teacher was indicted after being accused of molesting a student and having nude pictures of the victim, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 27-year-old Andrew Fantasia of Beachwood on Thursday, June 20, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was charged with possession of child pornography, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of criminal sexual contact, and official misconduct. Investigators said Fantasia had "inappropriate sexual contact" with a student while on Jackson Memorial High School property bet…
South Jersey Youth Worker Let Juvenile Detainees Use His Cellphone: Prosecutors South Jersey Youth Worker Let Juvenile Detainees Use His Cellphone: Prosecutors
South Jersey Youth Worker Let Juvenile Detainees Use His Cellphone: Prosecutors An employee at an Atlantic County juvenile detention center was accused of letting detained residents use his personal cellphone, authorities said. Tyrell Jones, 33, of Atlantic City, was charged on Thursday, May 16, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release on Tuesday, May 28. Jones is a youth worker at Harborfields Detention Facility in Egg Harbor City. The state's Juvenile Justice Commission gave information to the county prosecutor's office about Jones giving contraband to detained Harborfields residents in 2023. Investigators said he allowed the…
Corrections Officer Accepted Money In South Jersey Jail-Smuggling Scheme: Prosecutors Corrections Officer Accepted Money In South Jersey Jail-Smuggling Scheme: Prosecutors
Corrections Officer Accepted Money In South Jersey Jail-Smuggling Scheme: Prosecutors An Atlantic County corrections officer was among three people accused of a scheme to smuggle contraband into the county's jail, authorities said. In a news release, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said 33-year-old Christopher Piccioni of Swedesboro was charged on Monday, May 20. Piccioni is an officer at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. The county prosecutor's office said it learned in January about contraband being smuggled into the jail in Mays Landing. Piccioni was identified as a suspect during a four-month investigation. Investigators said Piccioni conspired wit…
NJ Police Chief Admits Coverup of Sex Affair With Subordinate NJ Police Chief Admits Coverup of Sex Affair With Subordinate
NJ Police Chief Admits Coverup of Sex Affair With Subordinate A retired New Jersey police chief admitted trying to cover up a sexual affair with a subordinate, authorities said. Andrew Kudrick, 50, will be banned for life from public employment and will receive probation instead of prison time in exchange, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Kudrick, of Farmingdale, lied to Howell Township officials about the affair and “threatened to launch an improper internal affairs investigation” of a captain who called him on it, the attorney general said. A confrontation between the chief’s wife and his alleged mistress during a 2021 retirement party …
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 NJ National Guard Recruiter Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen
NJ National Guard Recruiter Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen 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…
NJ Corrections Officer Sentenced For Smuggling Phones Into Jail NJ 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…
Atlantic County Jail Officer Lied About Contraband Taken From Inmate: Prosecutor Atlantic County Jail Officer 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…