Tag:

Official Misconduct

NJ Police Sgt Indicted For Swiping Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor NJ Police Sgt Indicted For Swiping Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor
NJ Police Sgt Indicted For Swiping Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor A Hammonton police sergeant has been indicted on charges he stole narcotics from the evidence room, authorities announced Wednesday, April 8. Robert Zbikowski was indicted on charges of official misconduct, pattern of official misconduct, theft, tampering with physical evidence and obstruction, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said. In February 2024, Hammonton police alerted prosecutors that Zbikowski failed a routine drug screen, authorities said.  From October 2023 through February 2024, Zbikowski tampered with numerous bags of suspected narcotics in the evidence room, au…
Former NJ Middle School Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student: Prosecutor Former NJ Middle School Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student: Prosecutor
Former NJ Middle School Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student: Prosecutor A 36-year-old Washington Township (Gloucester County) resident was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a student while she was a middle school teacher, authorities announced Thursday, May 26. On Friday, Jan. 23, the victim, now an adult, said they had sexual relationship with Ashley Fisler while they were a minor and she was their teacher at Washington Township Middle School, Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew Johns said. The victim said they had multiple sexual encounters in 2021 in Fisler's vehicle and in her classroom, Johns said. Text messages confirmed the unlawful sexu…
NJ Corrections Officer Sexually Assaulted Woman At Jail: Prosecutor NJ Corrections Officer Sexually Assaulted Woman At Jail: Prosecutor
NJ Corrections Officer Sexually Assaulted Woman At Jail: Prosecutor A 24-year-old Mays Landing resident and correctional officer is charged with sexually assaulting a woman at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, authorities announced Wednesday, Dec. 3. On Thursday, Sept. 4, an inmate at the facility accused Sebastian Flores-Huamani of entering her cell and sexually assaulting her, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said. An investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office led to Flores-Huamani being arrested at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 2, authorities said. Flores-Huamani is charged with sexual assault and official misconduct, authorities sa…
Ex-NY Trooper Who Shot Himself, Triggering Manhunt, Sentenced To Jail Ex-NY Trooper Who Shot Himself, Triggering Manhunt, Sentenced To Jail
Ex-NY Trooper Who Shot Himself, Triggering Manhunt, Sentenced To Jail A former New York state trooper who shot himself and triggered a massive multi-state manhunt will now spend time behind bars. Thomas Mascia, 27, of West Hempstead, was sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Nassau County Court. It followed his guilty pleas to falsely reporting an incident, tampering with evidence, and official misconduct. Mascia told colleagues in December 2024 that he was shot in the leg by a man while checking on a disabled vehicle on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, as Daily Voice reported. His claim triggered…
Jersey City Teacher Guilty Of Sex Crimes Against Student, 12, One Of Many: Prosecutor Jersey City Teacher Guilty Of Sex Crimes Against Student, 12, One Of Many: Prosecutor
Jersey City Teacher Guilty Of Sex Crimes Against Student, 12, One Of Many: Prosecutor A Jersey City teacher accused of sex crimes against multiple students has been convicted of sexually assaulting one, authorities said Monday, Sept. 22. On Thursday, Sept. 18, a jury found Apparao Sunkara, 72, of Hicksville, NY, guilty of sexual assault by contact, endangering the welfare of a child, and official misconduct — all second-degree crimes, Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello said. Between September 2019 and January 2020, Sunkara engaged in prohibited sexual acts with a 12-year-old female student while employed as a teacher at Infinity Institute in Jersey City, author…
New Child Sex Assault Charges For NJ Educator: Prosecutor New Child Sex Assault Charges For NJ Educator: Prosecutor
New Child Sex Assault Charges For NJ Educator: Prosecutor A New Jersey educator already jailed on child sex assault charges is now facing new accusations, authorities said. Darnell Williams, 34, of Manchester, was charged Wednesday, Sept. 17, with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a press release. Williams, a former employee within the Hamilton Township School District in Atlantic County, was arrested in August after authorities found he “touched an intimate part of a minor child who was under his care "in a sexual manner," as previously reported by Daily Voice. The all…
NY Cop, Two Others Admit Running Suffolk Prostitution Ring NY Cop, Two Others Admit Running Suffolk Prostitution Ring
NY Cop, Two Others Admit Running Suffolk Prostitution Ring A veteran Long Island police officer, along with two others, formally confessed to running multiple brothels over a span of four years. George Trimigliozzi, 56, of Islip, pleaded guilty to corruption, promoting prostitution, and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Sept. 15. Trimigliozzi is a veteran Suffolk County police officer. Frank Saggio, 61, of West Islip; and Dana Ciardullo, 33, of North Bellmore also admitted their roles in a prostitution enterprise that operated out of locations in Holbrook and West Babylon between 2019 and 2024. Prosecutors laid out how Saggio…
Prosecutor Blasts Ex-NJ Cop Sentenced For Hacking Woman's Nudes, 5K College Student Emails Prosecutor Blasts Ex-NJ Cop Sentenced For Hacking Woman's Nudes, 5K College Student Emails
Prosecutor Blasts Ex-NJ Cop Sentenced For Hacking Woman's Nudes, 5K College Student Emails A New Jersey prosecutor delivered a stern warning after a former police officer was sentenced for hacking women’s accounts and leaking their nude photos.  “You cannot hide from us in cyberspace – we are there, too, and we know how to find you,” Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said following the sentencing of Ayron Taylor, 25. Taylor, 25, of Moorestown, who worked as a Mount Laurel police officer, was sentenced in Superior Court in Mount Holly on Thursday, Sept. 5, to 12 years in state prison. The sentence was handed down in accordance with a plea agreement, authorities …
NJ Schools Employee Charged With Sexually Assaulting Child: Prosecutor NJ Schools Employee Charged With Sexually Assaulting Child: Prosecutor
NJ Schools Employee Charged With Sexually Assaulting Child: Prosecutor A 34-year-old man who worked for a New Jersey school system has been arrested on accusations that he sexually assaulted a child under his care, authorities said. Darnell Williams, 34, a Hamilton Township School District employee, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 28, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said. An investigation found that on Feb. 21, Williams allegedly “touched an intimate part of a minor child who was under his care in a sexual manner” while working for the school district, prosecutors said. Williams was taken into custody by Hamilton Township police and is being held at the A…
NJ Code Enforcement Officer Indicted For Taking Bribes To Allow Businesses To Stay Open: AG NJ Code Enforcement Officer Indicted For Taking Bribes To Allow Businesses To Stay Open: AG
NJ Code Enforcement Officer Indicted For Taking Bribes To Allow Businesses To Stay Open: AG A 50-year-old Newark code enforcement officer was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday, Aug. 19 on charges of taking bribes from businesses to allow them to stay open, authorities said. Sonia Rogers ordered the closure of a retail establishment, threatened to fine the owners, and requested bribes of cash and free store merchandise in exchange for reopening the store and not levying the threatened fines, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Last September, Rogers entered a store on Broad Street in uniform and, after conducting an inspection, she ordered the business to be closed. Rogers tol…
Ex-NJ Police Chief Sentenced For Sexual Assaults On Subordinates — Some Inside Headquarters: AG Ex-NJ Police Chief Sentenced For Sexual Assaults On Subordinates — Some Inside Headquarters: AG
Ex-NJ Police Chief Sentenced For Sexual Assaults On Subordinates — Some Inside Headquarters: AG A former New Jersey police chief has been sentenced to seven years in New Jersey state prison for sexually assaulting and abusing multiple subordinates over more than a decade, authorities announced. Former Manville Chief Thomas Herbst, 57, of Bridgewater, was ordered by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter J. Tober to serve 85 percent of his sentence — about six years — on the sexual assault charge, and a mandatory minimum of five years on counts of official misconduct before he is eligible for parole, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said Monday, Aug. 11. The senten…
'I Am Not A Crook': NJ Officer Nixon Lied About Criminal Past, Prosecutor Says 'I Am Not A Crook': NJ Officer Nixon Lied About Criminal Past, Prosecutor Says
'I Am Not A Crook': NJ Officer Nixon Lied About Criminal Past, Prosecutor Says A 38-year-old man who served as a police officer for two departments in New Jersey was arrested and charged with lying about his past, authorities announced Friday, Aug. 8. Briant Nixon, a police officer in Neptune Township, repeatedly lied about his criminal history and termination from a prior job in law enforcement while applying for police officer positions in New Jersey, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. Nixon worked for the New York City Police Department from 2012 to 2017, when he was terminated after a 2015 arrest for domestic violence and for violating a restraining…
Retired Detective, Dispatcher, Corrections Officer Arrested In NJ Drug Bust: Prosecutor Retired Detective, Dispatcher, Corrections Officer Arrested In NJ Drug Bust: Prosecutor
Retired Detective, Dispatcher, Corrections Officer Arrested In NJ Drug Bust: Prosecutor Three people who work in law enforcement were among seven people arrested following an investigation into the distribution of narcotics in Hudson County, authorities announced Monday, July 21. An investigation led to the seizure of over four kilograms of suspected cocaine, two handguns, seven vehicles and more than $70,000 in cash after search warrants were executed at multiple locations in North Bergen, West New York and Union City, on Thursday, July 17, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.  Thomas Mannion, 60, a retired West New York police detective, is charged with conspira…
South Brunswick Cop Stole $75K From PBA For Home Improvements: Prosecutor South Brunswick Cop Stole $75K From PBA For Home Improvements: Prosecutor
South Brunswick Cop Stole $75K From PBA For Home Improvements: Prosecutor A 53-year-old South Brunswick police officer was arrested and charged with stealing more than $75,000 from his Policeman's Benevolent Association chapter, authorities announced Wednesday, July 16. Jason Gassman was originally under investigation after he stole bedding valued at $100 from an Ocean Township department store, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago  said. An investigation revealed Gassman had served as his local PBA's treasurer since 2009, stealing more than $75,000 over the last six years by using the chapter's credit card to make personal proceeds and stealing …
Ex-NJ State Worker Among 10 Accused Of COVID Relief Theft: AG Ex-NJ State Worker Among 10 Accused Of COVID Relief Theft: AG
Ex-NJ State Worker Among 10 Accused Of COVID Relief Theft: AG Ten people, including a former state employee, were indicted last month for illegally collecting unemployment benefits and other crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said. Vanessa Allen, an East Orange resident, Jeffson Cues, a Newark resident, Nerlande Etienne, an Irvington resident and Rose Allen, an East Orange resident, collected unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled, Platkin said.  Allen was hired to work as a clerk for the Department of Labor during the pandemic, at the same time she was collecting unemployment benefits, Platkin said. She is charg…
NJ Special Ed Teacher Indicted For Having Sex With Student: Prosecutor NJ Special Ed Teacher Indicted For Having Sex With Student: Prosecutor
NJ Special Ed Teacher Indicted For Having Sex With Student: Prosecutor A special education teacher in Monmouth County has been been indicted by a grand jury for sexually assaulting a student, authorities announced on Tuesday, March 25. Allison Havemann-Niedrach, a 44-year-old Jackson resident is charged with aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child via the manufacture of child sexual abuse materials and official misconduct among other charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.  Havemann-Niedrach, formerly a special education teacher at Freehold Intermediate School, had a sexual relationship with a student in early 2024…
NJ Man Tasked With Helping Crime Victims Sent Them Sexually Explicit Texts: AG NJ Man Tasked With Helping Crime Victims Sent Them Sexually Explicit Texts: AG
NJ Man Tasked With Helping Crime Victims Sent Them Sexually Explicit Texts: AG A 47-year-old Point Pleasant man was indicted on Thursday, March 20, on charges he sent sexually explicit texts to crime victims he was supposed to help, authorities said. Guilherme Jamarino, then an investigator for New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office sent sexually suggestive and inappropriate communications to six victims between December 2019 and July 2022, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. The VCCO helps violent crime victims recover by providing financial assistance to victims, their families, and victim-service providers, to help alleviate the economic and emotio…
NJ Corrections Lt. Stole, Sold $475K In State Ammo, Prosecutors Say NJ Corrections Lt. Stole, Sold $475K In State Ammo, Prosecutors Say
NJ Corrections Lt. Stole, Sold $475K In State Ammo, Prosecutors Say A New Jersey Department of Corrections lieutenant in charge of managing state ammunition stockpiles was charged with stealing and selling taxpayer-funded ammo for personal profit, authorities said. Timothy Morris, 56, of Bayville (Ocean County), who served as NJDOC’s Range Master, is accused of illegally ordering excess ammunition and selling it on the secondary market, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced. Morris allegedly pocketed more than $475,000 through this scheme while attempting to conceal his financial transactions, prosecutors said. Morris, who has held his Range Master…
Bergen Prosecutor’s Lt. Faces 50-Count Indictment For Stealing Fentanyl, Heroin: AG Bergen Prosecutor’s Lt. Faces 50-Count Indictment For Stealing Fentanyl, Heroin: AG
Bergen Prosecutor’s Lt. Faces 50-Count Indictment For Stealing Fentanyl, Heroin: AG A Bergen County prosecutor’s office lieutenant is facing a 50-count indictment after allegedly stealing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl from the evidence vault and depositing $600,000 in cash into his personal accounts, authorities said. A state grand jury in Trenton indicted Kevin T. Matthew, 48, of Cedar Grove, after an investigation revealed he had allegedly signed out narcotics from BCPO’s main evidence vault between January 2019 and November 2023, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Wednesday, March 12. Authorities said Matthew was not part of BCPO’s narcotics unit, but as a me…
NJ Police Chief Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Employee At Work: AG NJ Police Chief Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Employee At Work: AG
NJ Police Chief Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Employee At Work: AG A Somerset County police chief was convicted of sexual misconduct toward his subordinates while on duty on Thursday, Feb. 13, authorities said. Thomas Herbst, a 57-year-old Bridgewater chief and former police chief in Manville was convicted of official misconduct, sexual assault and criminal sexual contact, authorities said, State Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Herbst groped, exposed himself to and sexually harassed an employee, later  violently sexually assaulting her, with the attack taking place while he and the victim were at police headquarters, Platkin said. The misconduc…
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.…
NJ Police Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor NJ Police Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor
NJ Police 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…
Hackensack Police Set To Have Its First Chief In 14 Years: Meet Michael Antista Hackensack Police Set To Have Its First Chief In 14 Years: Meet Michael Antista
Hackensack Police Set To Have Its First Chief In 14 Years: Meet Michael Antista The Hackensack Police Department is expected to have its first chief in 14 years. Capt. Michael Antista is set to be sworn in at the Tuesday, Oct. 15 council meeting. The previous chief was Chief Ken Zisa, who was charged with fraud official misconduct and then left. Raymond Guidetti will remain the police director. "I am excited and humbled to represent the hardworking men and women of the Hackensack police department," Antista said. "I am fully invested in providing excellent service to the community; while making sure our officers have the support and leadership they deserve." A Hacke…
Ex-NJ Child Services Case Worker Sexually Assaulted Two Children, AG Says Ex-NJ Child Services Case Worker Sexually Assaulted Two Children, AG Says
Ex-NJ Child Services Case Worker Sexually Assaulted Two Children, AG Says A 58-year-old former New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services Division of Child Protection and Permanency case worker has been indicted for sexually abusing two children, authorities said. Trent L. Collier, formerly of Newark and currently of Savannah, GA, has been charged in a seven-count indictment with sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, attempted aggravated sexual assault, and official misconduct, based on Collier’s alleged sexually abusive conduct toward the two minor victims, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Earlier this year, Collier ad…
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…
Paterson Officer Shoplifted From Marshalls While Working Security Detail: Prosecutor Paterson Officer Shoplifted From Marshalls While Working Security Detail: Prosecutor
Paterson Officer Shoplifted From Marshalls While Working Security Detail: Prosecutor A Paterson police officer is accused of shoplifting while working a security detail, authorities announced. Jeury DeJesus-Rodriguez, 25, of Paterson, was working the detail at the Marshalls store when he took several items of clothing into an employee bathroom and removed the packaging and price tags, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. He then left the store without paying for the clothing. The combined retail value of the clothing was $66.97, according to Valdes. DeJesus-Rodriguez was arrested without incident on Thursday, Aug. 22, in Totowa, New Jersey, by members of the P…
Former Newark Officer Sentenced To State Prison In Shooting Death During Pursuit Former Newark Officer Sentenced To State Prison In Shooting Death During Pursuit
Former Newark Officer Sentenced To State Prison In Shooting Death During Pursuit A former Newark police officer who shot and killed a driver during a pursuit and critically injured his passenger was sentenced to 27 years in New Jersey State Prison. Jovanny Crespo, 30, must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he's eligible for parole. Essex County Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin Jr. imposed the sentence under the No Early Release Act. Crespo was convicted in July 2023 on six counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the death of 46-year-old Gregory Griffin, and second-degree aggravated assault for critically wounding Griffin's passenger, Andrew Dixon, 3…