Tag:

Official Misconduct

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 Burlco Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says Six Burlco Corrections Officers Indicted For Covering Up Pepper Spray Attack On Inmate, AG Says
Six Burlco 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…
Manalapan Officer Who Stalked Girl Inappropriately Messaged Second Teen, Prosecutors Say Manalapan Officer Who Stalked Girl Inappropriately Messaged Second Teen, Prosecutors Say
Manalapan 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…
Sex Trafficking: Islip Teacher, Cop Among 4 Charged In Years-Long Crime Ring Sex Trafficking: Islip Teacher, Cop Among 4 Charged In Years-Long Crime Ring
Sex Trafficking: Islip Teacher, Cop Among 4 Charged In Years-Long Crime Ring A teacher of nearly three decades and a veteran police officer are among four defendants accused in a years-long sex trafficking operation on Long Island. Steven Arey, age 53, and George Trimigliozzi, age 55, both of Islip, were indicted on promoting prostitution and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Prosecutors said Arey, who has taught in the Islip School District for 26 years, and Trimigliozzi, an 18-year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department, hired sex workers, collected proceeds of prostitution known as “house fees,” and posted ads seeking patrons o…
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…
Central Islip Jail Guard Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Inmate Indicted By Grand Jury Central Islip Jail Guard Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Inmate Indicted By Grand Jury
Central Islip Jail Guard Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Inmate Indicted By Grand Jury A corrections officer at a Long Island jail will stand trial for allegedly sexually assaulting an inmate. Jason Middleton, age 35, of Central Islip, was indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury on Friday, Oct. 11, stemming from an alleged incident at the county jail in Riverhead. An investigation found that between April and September 2023, Middleton escorted an inmate into a utility walkway between jail cells where he knew was hidden from security camera view. Earlier Report: 'Disgusted': Jail Guard Forces Long Island Inmate Into Sex Act, DA Says Once in the camera’s blind spot, M…
Ex-Newark Child Services Case Worker Sexually Assaulted Two Children, AG Says Ex-Newark Child Services Case Worker Sexually Assaulted Two Children, AG Says
Ex-Newark 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…
State Trooper Suspended Without Pay After Being Accused Of Liberty Robbery State Trooper Suspended Without Pay After Being Accused Of Liberty Robbery
State Trooper Suspended Without Pay After Being Accused Of Liberty Robbery A New York State Trooper has been suspended without pay following his arrest for an alleged robbery in the region. The arrest occurred in Sullivan County in the village of Liberty on Tuesday, Aug. 13, for an incident in 2023. According to Beau Duffy, director of Public Information for the State Police, Trooper Christopher DiBartolo, age 47, was charged following an investigation into an incident that occurred outside a Liberty home in which he took personal property from the victim, who was known to him, while on duty, causing damage. DiBartolo was charged with: Felony robbery Criminal m…
'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…
Rookie 21-Year-Old Cop In Capital Region Illegally Accessed Computer Records, Police Say Rookie 21-Year-Old Cop In Capital Region Illegally Accessed Computer Records, Police Say
Rookie 21-Year-Old Cop In Capital Region Illegally Accessed Computer Records, Police Say A rookie cop in the region is facing misconduct charges after he allegedly abused his authority by illegally accessing computer records. Fulton County resident Chance Petteys, age 21, of Johnstown, was arrested Monday, June 17, on suspicion of official misconduct and related charges following an investigation by New York State Police. According to troopers, Petteys used his position at the Gloversville Police Department to improperly access computer records “without any legitimate law enforcement purposes.” The records included sensitive personal information and accounts of prior police int…
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…
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…
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
Local NJ Police Sergeant Took Child Porn Images From Investigation For Himself: AG 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 …
Capital Region Town Bookkeeper Tried Giving Himself Pay Raise, Police Say Capital Region Town Bookkeeper Tried Giving Himself Pay Raise, Police Say
Capital Region Town Bookkeeper Tried Giving Himself Pay Raise, Police Say A town employee in the region is facing charges after allegedly attempting to give himself an unauthorized pay raise. Columbia County resident Donald Pierro, age 70, of Hillsdale, was arrested Friday, March 22, on suspicion of attempted grand larceny and related charges. Greene County Sheriff’s officials said a Town of Athens employee contacted the agency on Monday, March 18, reporting a possible theft by Pierro, the bookkeeper to Town Supervisor Michael Pirrone. An investigation found that Pierro altered town payroll records in an attempt to benefit himself, deputies said.  Official…
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
Atlantic City HS Principal Didn't Report Child Abuse Claim By Student: Prosecutors 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…
Pants On Fire: Long Island Firefighter Lied About Responding To Emergency Calls, DA Says Pants On Fire: Long Island Firefighter Lied About Responding To Emergency Calls, DA Says
Pants On Fire: Long Island Firefighter Lied About Responding To Emergency Calls, DA Says A volunteer firefighter on Long Island is accused of altering public records in order to give himself and his relatives credit for emergency calls they never responded to. James Burns, age 27, of Cutchogue, was arrested Wednesday, March 6, following an investigation by the Suffolk County DA’s Public Corruption Squad. Prosecutors said Burns illegally accessed an internal computer system at the Cutchogue Fire Department in September 2023 and made 96 changes to the records of 55 prior emergency calls. He allegedly changed the records to show that he and three relatives had responded to prior …
NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor
NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor A 53-year-old East Orange police officer faces up to 80 years in prison after being convicted of assaulting his 9-year-old son in 2018 on Friday, March 1, authorities said. In February 2018, Devin Higgs, a West Orange resident, brought his son to the hospital for injuries that Higgs said were from a fall, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said.  The child had suffered 22 fractures on his ribs and a fractured scapula bone, along with bruises, scars and marks on his body, a sign of child abuse, Stephens said. Neither Higgs nor his son had explanations for his injuries, …
Two Paterson Inspectors Took Bribes For Permits: NJ Attorney General Two Paterson Inspectors Took Bribes For Permits: NJ Attorney General
Two Paterson Inspectors Took Bribes For Permits: NJ Attorney General Two Paterson housing and zoning inspectors were indicted on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for accepting bribes in exchange for issuing illegitimate building permits, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Jose Fermin, a 50-year-old Prospect Park resident and Jose Juan Guerrero-Cruz, a 44-year-old Florida resident carried out their scheme between Dec. 2020 and Feb. 2022,  producing bogus documents that including imitation signatures purportedly written by Paterson’s Planning and Zoning Director, Platkin said.  Guerrero-Cruz and Fermin would accept money in exchange for Fermin producing the…
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…
Hudson Valley Court Clerk Accused Of 'Fixing' Tickets For Friends Hudson Valley Court Clerk Accused Of 'Fixing' Tickets For Friends
Hudson Valley Court Clerk Accused Of 'Fixing' Tickets For Friends A court clerk in the region has been charged with allegedly falsifying business records for "fixing" tickets for friends. Ulster County resident Haley Whalen, age 25, of Ulster Park, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 13 following an investigation by state police. According to Trooper Steven Nevel, of the New York State Police, an investigation revealed that Whalen, a court clerk with the Town of Saugerties Court, unofficially used her credentials to dismiss tickets on behalf of acquaintances. Whalen was charged with: Four counts of falsifying business records Four counts of tampering with pu…