Tag:

Official Misconduct

Bayville Man, NJ Corrections Officer Stole, Sold State Ammo For $475K, Prosecutors Say Bayville Man, NJ Corrections Officer Stole, Sold State Ammo For $475K, Prosecutors Say
Bayville Man, NJ Corrections Officer Stole, Sold State Ammo For $475K, 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…
Newark Code Enforcement Officer Took Bribes To Allow Businesses To Stay Open: AG Newark Code Enforcement Officer Took Bribes To Allow Businesses To Stay Open: AG
Newark Code Enforcement Officer Took Bribes To Allow Businesses To Stay Open: AG A 50-year-old Newark code enforcement officer was arrested and charged on Friday, Feb. 28, with 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 told s…
Manville Police Chief Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Employee At Work: AG Manville Police Chief Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Employee At Work: AG
Manville 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…
Trooper Shot Himself On Southern State Parkway Before Blaming 'Dark-Skinned Man,' Police Say Trooper Shot Himself On Southern State Parkway Before Blaming 'Dark-Skinned Man,' Police Say
Trooper Shot Himself On Southern State Parkway Before Blaming 'Dark-Skinned Man,' Police Say A former New York State Police trooper who claimed that a driver shot him, triggering a region-wide manhunt, made the whole thing up, prosecutors alleged. Thomas Mascia, 27, of West Hempstead, surrendered to police Monday morning, Jan. 27, before being arraigned on a count of making a false report and related charges in Nassau County District Court. Mascia initially told colleagues that he was walking toward what he assumed was a disabled vehicle when he heard several shots fired by a “dark-skinned man” on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead shortly before midnight on Oct. 30, 2024…
Longtime Clark Mayor Resigns, Admits To Using Town Employees For Private Business: State AG Longtime Clark Mayor Resigns, Admits To Using Town Employees For Private Business: State AG
Longtime Clark Mayor Resigns, Admits To Using Town Employees For Private Business: State AG This story has been updated with a statement from Salvatore Bonaccorso The mayor of Clark Township pleaded guilty on Friday, Jan. 10, to using township employees to help him run his landscaping company, authorities said. Salvatore Bonaccorso, who has been mayor since 2001, resigned as part of his plea, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. As part of the agreement, he is permanently barred from holding any future public office or employment, Platkin said. In November 2023, Bonaccorso, 64, was charged with forging paperwork to nearly 24 New Jersey towns to allow his landscaping c…
Former Rockland County Corrections Officer Sentenced For Tampering With Records, Harassment Former Rockland County Corrections Officer Sentenced For Tampering With Records, Harassment
Former Rockland County Corrections Officer Sentenced For Tampering With Records, Harassment A former Rockland County corrections officer has been sentenced to probation after admitting to falsifying records and exposing himself to a female inmate while on duty, prosecutors announced. John Kezek, 39, of Knoxville, Tennessee, formerly of Florida, New York, was sentenced following his guilty plea to tampering with public records and official misconduct, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. The sentencing occurred on Thursday, Dec. 19. As part of his guilty plea, Kezek admitted to falsifying records at the Rockland County Correctional Facility and exposing himself to …
Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former Middletown Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former Middletown Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former Middletown 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 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 …