Lt. Benito Gonzalez Jr Accused of Masturbating in Starbucks

A high-ranking officer of the Camden County Police Department is accused of committing a lewd act in a Cherry Hill coffee shop.

Lt. Benito Gonzalez Jr., who supervises the department's narcotics unit, has been removed from duty over allegations that he masturbated in public at a Route 70 Starbucks, a county spokesman said Monday.

The Deptford man was arrested Friday in connection with the May 7 incident, according to Cherry Hill police records.

"We are deeply troubled by the allegations of this off-duty conduct," said county spokesman Dan Keashen. "A swift and thorough investigation is being conducted."

According to the police report, Gonzalez allegedly pulled down his shorts and exposed himself at the coffee shop, "knowing or reasonably expecting that the act was likely to be observed by a non-consenting person who likely would be affronted or alarmed."

Gonzalez left the shop, but a Starbucks employee reported the incident to police immediately, said company spokeswoman Laurel Harper.

"Our top priority is to provide a safe environment for our customers and employees, and we take all reports of inappropriate activity in our stores very seriously," she said.

Gonzalez was charged with a disorderly persons lewdness offense, according to a Cherry Hill police spokeswoman, Lt. Amy Winters. "The investigation is still ongoing," she said.

Keashen offered a similar outlook.

"We are working to ascertain all of the facts in this matter with Cherry Hill Police Department and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office," Keashen said.

Police posted surveillance photos of a suspect after the incident at the department's Facebook page, but they were no longer online Monday.

The incident occurred at a Starbucks in the 1100 block of Route 70, at the Kinko's Plaza.

Gonzalez is a 17-year veteran and a former member of the city-run police department that was disbanded to make way for the county force.

Gonzalez was honored by the county police department in July 2013, after he and two other officers helped an elderly woman return home to Kentucky after she got lost and ended up in Camden. Gonzalez found the woman asleep in a car at 2nd and Clinton streets; with two detectives, he got the woman to a Brooklawn motel and contacted a relative.

The officers then accompanied the woman to a Philadelphia bus station to ensure her return home.

Officer Andre Corbin & Officer Ralph Pereira Charged with Sexually Assaulting Children

Two police officers in southern New Jersey are accused of sexually assaulting children.

Atlantic County prosecutors say Atlantic City Officer Andre Corbin and Brigantine Officer Ralph Pereira are each charged with two counts of sexual contact and single counts of official misconduct, child endangerment and criminal sexual contact. Corbin also faces an additional count of official misconduct.

The charges against Pereira involve a 16-year-old girl. Prosecutors say he held a position of authority and disciplinary power over the teen.

Further details on the charges against Corbin have not been released.

Corbin was freed after posting $100,000 bond, while Pereira was being held on $100,000 cash bail.

Cpl Justin Cherry Charged with Misconduct

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the arrest of Cpl. Justin Cherry of the Tuckerton Borough Police Department.  Cherry is charged with official misconduct, a second degree crime, and aggravated assault, a third degree crime. He surrendered in the presence of his attorney, Robert W. Rosenberg on Wednesday.

The charges stem from Cherry’s involvement in the arrest of a 57 year-old Barnegat Township resident in Barnegat on January 29, 2014.  The woman allegedly failed to stop after Cherry activated his police vehicle’s emergency lights while the woman was driving in Tuckerton.  The woman drove from Tuckerton to the parking lot of the Barnegat Township Municipal Complex where she was taken into custody by two officers from the Barnegat Police Department.  It is alleged that Cherry was present in Barnegat at the scene of her arrest and unjustifiably allowed his K-9 to attack and bite the woman. It is also alleged that Cherry falsified his police reports in an effort to conceal or justify his improper actions.

Cherry’s bail was set at $15,000 no 10% by the Honorable Francis R. Hodgson, Jr., J.S.C.  Cherry posted bail and was released pending further court proceedings.

Former Jail Guard James Kriegner Faces More Child Porn Charges

Last month a 43-year-old former New Jersey jail guard was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. Now he is charged with creating porn with a 15-year-old girl.

James Kriegner of Bensalem, a former Mercer County corrections officer, was arrested last month after police allegedly found more than 100 images of child porn on his computer following a three-month investigation into child pornography distribution.

Bensalem Detective Kevin Cornish reportedly found that Kriegner downloaded files of known child sex abuse from an IP address registered to Kriegner's Knights Road apartment, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Kriegner, who has been unemployed since December, later turned over two laptop computers for forensic examination under a search warrant, and one had more than 100 images of child sex abuse, court documents allege. Fifteen files were identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as containing known victims of child sex abuse, police said.

The forensic examination also found image files of Kriegner video chatting with an unidentified girl, and a folder containing sexual images that appeared to be of the same girl, police said.

Kreigner identified the girl as a 15-year-old, the affidavit shows.

Police said the girl told them she had been engaging in sexual activity with Kreigner since April.

Bensalem Detective Kevin Cornish, who handled the investigation, said he is not aware of Kreigner posting or sending photographs of the girl, but that the photos have to be sent to the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children to be checked.

Kriegner was arraigned Thursday before Bensalem District Judge Leonard Brown on charges of statutory sexual assault, indecent sexual assault on a person under age 16, unlawful contact with a minor, and related child porn and sex crime offenses.

His bail was set at 10 percent of $750,000, but he remains in Bucks County prison in lieu of 10 percent of $500,000 bail from his earlier child porn arrest.

Officer Clifton Gauthier Charged with Misconduct

Township Police Officer Clifton “Clif” Gauthier has been charged with official misconduct and other crimes for allegedly trying to get a relative’s driving while intoxicated ticket dismissed in 2012.

Gauthier, 34, of Sparta, was charged Monday by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office with official misconduct, obstruction, witness tampering and hindering prosecution of another, according to court records. Gauthier was hired in the township in July 2005 and, though now suspended, was earning $108,525 annually.

Township officials would not immediately specify whether Gauthier was suspended with or without pay. Neither Gauthier nor defense lawyer Scott Krasny could immediately be reached Friday.

A male relative of Gauthier was ticketed for DWI in Rockaway Township by a state trooper identified only as N.S. Gauthier allegedly contacted the trooper on Feb. 9, 2012, and “suggested” he didn’t need to appear in township Municipal Court for trial because the charge was resolved, according to court records and officials.

Denis Driscoll, who was municipal prosecutor at the time, contacted the trooper, who stated he was told not to appear, and the investigation commenced, according to officials.

Township Mayor Michael Dachisen said that Gauthier is a good officer who served several military tours in Iraq. He said the relative who Gauthier allegedly tried to assist is either a cousin or an uncle. He declined further comment.

Police Chief Walter Ardin Jr. could not be reached. Gauthier is due to appear next week in Superior Court to receive initial discovery on the charges. They allege that he committed an act that constituted an unauthorized exercise of his position by suggesting to the trooper that he not appear on the scheduled court date so he could try to help a relative obtain a dismissal of the charge.

The most serious offense of official misconduct is a second-degree crime punishable upon conviction by up to 10 years in prison and automatic forfeiture of a public job and future public employment.

Officer Jeremy Felder Charged with Official Misconduct

A 28-year-old township police officer has been suspended without pay from his $60,000 a year position after being charged with second-degree official misconduct.

Jeremy Felder of Old Bridge was arrested Tuesday on official misconduct charges in connection with an illegal search and then falsifying paperwork to cover it up, said Joseph Coronato, Ocean County Prosecutor.

Felder, who was hired from the Jackson Police Department in August 2011, was involved in the search of a motor vehicle in August 2013, which resulted in the seizure of controlled dangerous substances, Coronato said.

“Evidence developed during the investigation shows that Felder allegedly participated in an illegal search of the vehicle and subsequently falsified documents and his police report to conceal his wrongdoing,” said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Della Fave said no specifics about the traffic stop where listed on the complaint. Calls to the Lakewood Police Department on the incident where referred back to the prosecutor’s office.

The charges against the vehicle’s occupants have been dismissed.

During his tenure as a police officer in Jackson, Felder was named in a lawsuit stemming from a Jan. 27, 2010, incident in the Wawa parking lot at South Hope Chapel Road and East Veterans Highway.

In his suit, Ball said he pulled into the gas station’s parking entrance, then attempted to move parking cones so he could drive to a nearby gas pump. Ball said Felder, who was on duty, told him to drive around to Wawa’s other entrance. Ball argued, saying doing so would cause his car to run out of gas, according to court documents.

At some point, the two started arguing, and Ball said Felder punched him.

In a police report included in court documents, Felder described Ball’s behavior as unusual and said Ball was slurring his speech and seemed excited and rambling. Ball also had a baseball bat in the front seat of his car, according to police. After refusing to move the vehicle, Ball allegedly yelled an expletive at the officer. Felder reported Ball made a rapid movement toward the front driver's compartment of the vehicle, leaning toward the baseball bat.

In April 2013, Jackson agreed to pay the man $95,000 to settle the case. No charges were ever filed against Felder.

Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson said the department’s internal affairs division is working with the prosecutor’s office on the case.

Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein said the governing body was notified of the situation a couple of days ago.

“We have a great police department and great officers,” Lichtenstein said. “Our professional standards division worked on this case. It shows that they can police their own. It’s disappointing, but you have to remember that he is innocent until proven guilty.”

Pastor Glenn Wilson, a community leader, said the incident cast a negative light on the police department.

“Off the bat, most people don’t trust the police and when things like this happen it just drives that idea,” Wilson said. “I really believe that most of our cops are good police officers. I don’t believe this should put a black eye on the whole department.”

Calls to Stuart Alterman, Felder’s attorney, were not returned.

Local Police Benevolent Association No. 71 President Gary Przewoznik said the union is there to support its members.

“As a local we stand behind and fully support all of our officers,” Przewoznik said. “Unlike civilians, police officers are held to a higher standard and for that reason, are typically presumed guilty until a trial allows the facts to be presented and innocence can be proven. Our union is here to ensure that until the facts are presented and a resolution/verdict is reached, our officers have the support necessary to get them though this difficult time.”

Felder’s bail was set at $15,000 with no 10 percent option by state Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels Jr. Della Fave said Felder immediately posted bail and so was never processed at the Ocean County Jail.

Della Fave did not have a photo of Felder. Detective Sgt. Greg Staffordsmith, spokesman for the Lakewood police, referred all questions to the prosecutor’s office and said he could not release a photo, per the state Attorney General’s Office guidelines.

Officer Keith German Charged with Misconduct

Patrolman Keith German, 45, of Tinton Falls, a 16-year veteran officer of the Asbury Park Police Department, was arrested and charged with Official Misconduct and Unauthorized Access of a Computer Database at part of "Operation Dead End," authorities said.

Keith German, was arrested as part of a sweep that included dozens of other arrests, said one source who requested anonymity. The source said the sweep was tied to gangs but did not elaborate on what German’s role was or if he was involved with gangs.

Mayor Myra Campbell did not confirm or deny if a police officer was arrested, but added that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty and all the facts need to come out.
“There is no place for corrupt cops in the city of Asbury Park,” Campbell said. “Its not good for the citizens, it’s not good for the community.”

The Asbury Park Press reported German, who is a 16-year veteran of the police force, was released on $50,000 bail with a 10 percent option and had to surrender his badge, gun, police identification and radio.

Sgt. Michael Taulane Charged with Aggravated Assault

A borough police officer is accused of ongoing domestic violence against a female victim.

Sgt. Michael Taulane, 41, of Collingswood was charged Friday with aggravated assault in the case. Authorities said they learned of the alleged abuse the previous Monday.

Taulane, a 22-year police veteran, was released on bail and ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim. He surrendered all weapons he had, authorities said, and is suspended without pay from his job pending the outcome of the case.

Officer John Freudenberg Charged with DWI

Police say an intoxicated Parsippany police officer ran his Chevrolet Silverado off the road and wound up in a residential front yard Saturday.

John R. Freudenberg, 30, of Randolph was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving Saturday night, Randolph police said.

Randolph Sgt. Frank Mygas and Officers Jason Gould and Jason Del Turco responded to the crash, and found the car in the front yard of a Jennifern Avenue home, Randolph police said.

Del Turco spoke to Freudenberg, the driver, and was told he "ran off the road," Randolph police said.

Freudenberg also identified himself as a Parsippany officer, which Randolph police later confirmed, they say.

Randolph Detective Lt. Christopher Giuliani said that based on a draft report about the incident, he didn't have any indication Freudenberg tried to use his status as an officer to avoid a ticket or arrest.

Freudenberg was also off-duty, and was not in a police department vehicle, Giuliani said.
At the time of the crash, Del Turco detected the odor of alcohol on Freudenberg's breath, and had Freudenberg perform field sobriety tests, Randolph Police said. He was then arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

Giuliani said while Freudenberg did take a breath test, police are not releasing the results.
Freudenberg's passenger complained of pain, but didn't want to receive medical treatment at the scene, Randolph police said. Freudenberg didn't complain of any injuries, police said.

Parsippany and Randolph, both Morris County communities, share a small border but are mostly divided by sections of Denville and Morris Township.

Officer Scott Neuhaus Charged with Disorderly Conduct

A seven year veteran of the Downingtown Police Department was arrested early Saturday morning following an incident at a Philadelphia gentleman’s club.

According to a brief statement provided by Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxell, around 2:45 a.m. Saturday the Downingtown Police Department’s shift supervisor was notified that officer Scott Neuhaus, 40, was arrested at Delilah’s Gentlemen’s Club and Steakhouse in the 100 block of Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia. The statement said Neuhaus was off duty and in civilian clothes.

According to a docket filed in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia, Neuhaus was charged with one count of disorderly conduct with obscene language or gesture, a summary offense. A status hearing was tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24 in Philadelphia, according to court records.

Downingtown Police Chief James McGowan was immediately advised of the arrest, the statement said, and Neuhaus was placed on paid administrative leave. Maxwell was also notified, the statement said.

“The Downingtown Police Department will be conducting an investigation into the incident and Officer Neuhaus will remain on Administrative Leave until the conclusion of the investigation and any possible proceedings that arise from that investigation,” the statement said.

Maxwell and McGowan declined to comment further on the matter.
Neuhaus previously worked for the Coatesville Police Department.

New Jersey Officer Steven Vigorito Jr Charged with Texting Child Explicit Photos

A New Jersey police officer has been arrested and charged after he allegedly pursued sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl, texting her explicit photos of himself in uniform.

According to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Woodland Park Police Officer Steven Vigorito Jr. was charged with attempted aggravated assault, luring and enticing a child, attempted endangering of a child, attempted sex assault and official misconduct.

Investigators said, Vigorito met the girl after responding to a domestic dispute at a home in Woodland Park on April 23. While at the scene, the officer gave the girl his personal cell phone number.

The 12-year-old victim immediately alerted her mother who in turn told authorities.

In the following days, detectives posed as the girl and reached out to Vigorito which prompted several explicit text messages from the 39-year-old officer, including photos where he's in uniform and exposing himself. Officials say some of the photos are believed to have been taken at the station house.

When Vigorito attempted to lure the girl to a location for sex, undercover officers went in and arrested him, officials said.

Vigorito, a 12-year veteran with the Woodland Park Police Department, was arrested Tuesday night while on duty. He was arraigned Wednesday and remains in custody with a $250,000 bond.

"The person called to assist the family, ended up preying on the family," Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said a press conference Wednesday.

Vigorito has been suspended without pay.

PIX 11 News paid a visit to Vigorito's Woodland Park home Tuesday afternoon. Two women slammed the door at first and quickly closed the garage doors before coming back outside.

"He's not that kind of guy, he's a good guy, he's a clean guy," said a woman who wouldn't identify herself. The home had toys and children's games on the front lawn, and the woman was holding a young child.

Third Officer Charged in Perfume Robbery

A third New York Police Department officer, Kelvin Jones, 28, of Yonkers, New York, was arrested today for his involvement in the robbery of a perfume distributor of $1 million in perfume, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

The arrest was part of a continuing investigation by federal and state authorities into the heist of hundreds of boxes of high-end perfume from a warehouse used by a company known as In Style USA, Inc in Carlstadt, New Jersey.

On March 5th, the two other NYPD officers, Richard LeBlanca and Brian Checo, both of New York City, were arrested and charged with the same robbery in a criminal complaint, along with Gabriel Vargas of Brooklyn, Luis R. Morales of
Brooklyn, Anselmo Jimenes, a/k/a "Ansemo Jimenes", of Brooklyn, Alan A. Bannout of Brooklyn, and Orlando Garcia of New York.

The initial criminal complaint did not name Jones by name, but merely referred to him as one of the eight conspirators whose true name was unknown, but who used the alias "Mike Smith".

According to the complaint filed against Jones in federal court today, on February 9, 2010, Jones went to a truck rental company in Jersey City with some of the other men who participated in the heist, and rented a truck he had reserved in the name "Mike Smith". It is alleged that Jones attempted to pay for the truck in cash, but when that failed, Jones directed LeBlanca to pay for the rental truck, which was later used in the robbery, with LeBlanca's ATM debit card.

The complaint also alleges that Jones then participated in the ensuing perfume robbery of the Carlstadt warehouse where 11 company employees were restrained and held hostage. During the robbery, the complaint alleges that Jones, while reviewing sheets of paper that contained names on them, began yelling the names of several of the victims being held hostage. The complaint also indicates that law enforcement agents later recovered two sheets of paper that were thrown into a trash receptacle which contained personal identification information of an individual related to one of the victims of the robbery. Subsequent examination of these documents revealed that they were obtained from a database in the 46th NYPD precinct - the same precinct where Jones is employed.

"Though the arrest of police officers is discouraging news, the public should know that we will remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice, regardless of where or to whom that pursuit may lead," said Michael Ward, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Newark Office. "Members of law enforcement are not above the law and if they forget that, they will be suject to the same penalties as ordinary citizens."

Jones will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo today to face this charge.

Jimenes, who is currently incarcerated in Bergen County on local charges, is also expected to appear before Magistrate Cox Arleo today. Bannout has not yet been arrested.

The charge set forth in the Complaint carries a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The FBI has requested that anyone having further information regarding this robbery, please call the FBI at (973) 684-6614.

Fishman again credited Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin B. Cruise, for the investigation. Fishman also thanked the Carlstadt Police Department and the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Gramiccioni and Eric T. Kanefsky of the Office's Special Prosecutions Division and Criminal Division, respectively.

Sgt. David Romeo Found Guilty of Kicking Two Handcuffed Suspects

A southern New Jersey jury has found a Wildwood police officer guilty of kicking two handcuffed suspects.

Sgt. David Romeo was charged with official misconduct. The 39-year-old officer will remain free on bail until sentencing on April 16.

Prosecutors say Romeo kicked two handcuffed car burglary suspects in the head as they lay on the ground in a North Wildwood parking lot in July 2007.

The crime carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Romeo and defense attorney John Tumelty left the courtroom after the verdict today without commenting.

Officer Keith Hicks Pleads Guilty to Harassing Women

A Camden police officer who served as a driver and ever-present confidant to former mayor Gwendolyn Faison has pleaded guilty to harassing women.

Keith Hicks, a 19-year veteran of the city police force, admitted Monday that twice last year he ordered women into his personal truck when he was off duty but in uniform, and touched them "offensively.''

He also admitted that he once demanded that a woman partially undress before she was processed for an outstanding warrant.

The 51-year-old Hicks, who lives in Gloucester Township, was suspended from the force in August 2009.

As a result of his plea, he is expected to be sentenced to probation and must forfeit his police badge.

His lawyer, William Buckman, did not immediately return a call.
-----------------------
More Information

Former Officer Martin Abreu Sentenced for Killing Pedestrian

An off-duty Jersey City police officer will spend up to a decade in prison for killing a pedestrian as she crossed a lower Manhattan street.

Martin Abreu, a Jersey City police officer since 2005, was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded guilty on Dec. 16 to aggravated vehicular homicide.

Abreu's vehicle mowed down Marilyn Huang Feng a year ago as she walked near Battery Park City. The 26-year-old aspiring lawyer died at the scene, and her boyfriend was critically injured.

Authorities said Abreu was drunk, and according to witness accounts, he was driving more than double the speed limit.

Abreu will be eligible for parole in 3 1/2 years. His maximum sentence is 10 1/2 years.

Previous Post

Detective Raphael Garcia Indicted for Aggravated Assault

A Passaic County sheriff’s officer charged with aggravated assault went to state court in Paterson Tuesday to defend himself against allegations he was reckless when shooting a drug suspect who eluded his pursuit.

The man defendant Raphael Garcia of Haledon shot and wounded in the left arm testified before state Superior Court Judge Raymond A. Reddin that Garcia was in plain clothes, wore no badge and never identified himself as an officer as he walked toward his car “at a fast pace” with gun drawn.

“I thought he was a gang member or something who was trying to rob me,” said Todd De Lucca, 36, of Park Ridge. De Lucca, an unemployed construction worker and printer, said he had driven to the Riverside Terrace Housing Complex at Plesinger Place and 5th Avenue in Paterson on Feb. 27, 2009, about 2:45 p.m. to buy $18 worth of heroin and visit friends.

His account contradicted earlier testimony from a 20-year veteran Passaic County sheriff’s officer, who was on the warrant detail with Garcia that day. He testified that Garcia was clearly wearing his badge when he emerged from the unmarked vehicle they were both in and approached the suspect. Lt. Francesco Lombardo said he saw De Lucca’s vehicle moving forward and then heard a pop.

A grand jury indicted Detective Raphael Garcia on one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault in July. He faces as much as 18 months in state prison if found guilty.

The trial is being held without a jury. The defendant, with the prosecutor’s assent, chose a non-jury trial before state Superior Court Judge Raymond A. Reddin in Paterson.

Garcia was put on modified duty following his indictment in July. County officials said at the time that he was taken off the street and would not carry a weapon pending the case’s outcome.

Garcia is the son of former Passaic County Jail Warden Felix Garcia, who in 2008 announced he was gearing up to challenge Sheriff Jerry Speziale in 2010. The 30-year veteran of the Passaic County Sheriff's Department was embroiled in a wrongful termination lawsuit against Speziale for four years. Speziale fired Garcia in February 2003 for allegedly disregarding department regulations. The litigation was eventually settled.

De Lucca, In explaining his actions, said, “It’s a high-crime, drug-dealing, gang-related area. It’s extremely dangerous.” Thus, when he saw Garcia coming toward him in street clothes and aiming a gun, the last thing he thought was that he was about to be arrested.

“I immediately thought to get the hell out of there, to avoid bodily injury. I hit the gas. But at no time was he in front of my car,” he testified, noting he never aimed the car directly at Garcia. “I heard a bang. The glass in my car shattered on the driver’s side door window.”

At that point, he testified that things got “foggy” and he can’t remember every detail. “I was in a daze,” he said, as he realized he’d been shot in the left arm. He said he heard people screaming at him and only then did they identify themselves as officers.

De Lucca, who was treated for his injury and recovered, was charged and pleaded guilty to drug possession. He is currently serving a two-year probationary sentence. He appeared in court limping and with a cane, explaining that it was due to lower back problems that he has suffered for some 15 years and for which he takes a variety of pain medications.

“If you knew this was a police officer, would you have stopped?” asked Passaic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul Di Lella.

“Yes, I would have. I could have avoided a lot of trouble.” He later added: “I know better.”

The defense argues that Garcia was acting in self defense, as DeLucca gunned the car toward him and failed to heed Garcia’s warnings to stop. Under cross examination by defense attorney Robert Galantucci of Hackensack, De Lucca admitted he’d been charged seven times in the past with resisting arrest.

Di Lella strenuously objected to the introduction of that history, as only one of those arrests resulted in a conviction and the other charges were dismissed. Reddin allowed it, however, saying the charge Garcia faces is too serious to discount it as part of his defense.

“So you’re saying these officers came after you and shot you because you bought $18 worth of heroin,” Galantucci said, sounding skeptical.

“Yes,” De Lucca responded, noting he only gunned his engine when he was parallel to – or alongside – Garcia and that he was never driving straight at him.

Trial Begins for Three East Orange Officers

An Essex County Assistant Prosecutor described how East Orange Police Detective Hakeem Davis pushed the barrel of his gun into 17-year-old James Littlejohn’s mouth and warned, "start talking now or I’ll kill you right here," during opening arguments today of the trial against three East Orange officers.

Davis and his partner, Detective Jon Cato, are accused of dragging Littlejohn and his friend, Darrel Slappy, also 17 at the time, from a second-floor apartment to the front porch, then threatening to kill them. The officers believed the teens had thrown a rock at their squad car the night of May 31, 2008, said Assistant Prosecutor Peter Sepulveda, who is handling the case. The boys were later let go.

Davis, 36, and Cato, 32, are charged with 21 counts of assault, kidnapping, official misconduct and falsifying records. They have been suspended without pay.

The third detective, David Sheridan, 25, who allegedly did nothing to stop the officers, was also suspended without pay. He was charged with misconduct and conspiracy, but his attorney, Patrick Toscano, said he "did absolutely nothing wrong in this case."

Today, Andrea Poyser testified that her son, Slappy, entered their Beech Street home late that night with Littlejohn. A few minutes later, Davis and Cato arrived. They were dressed in plain clothes, did not display badges but were gripping guns, she said. They began cursing at the boys, and, "were very rude," Poyser added.

Lawyers for all three officers said they followed law enforcement guidelines and added their clients have been "salivating" to tell their story.

Ronald Ricci, who is Davis’ attorney, said subsequent lab tests on the officer’s gun revealed none of Littlejohn’s DNA.

Davis and Cato had been responding to a call of shots fired around 11:45 p.m. that night when their patrol car was struck by rocks at South Arlington Avenue and Beech Street.

The detectives apprehended two youths, then spotted two more running away and gave chase, said Vincent Scoca, Cato’s attorney.

Ricci said the officers followed the boys to what was Poyser’s home, on the 20 block of Beech Street. He said badges were dangling from the detectives’ necks.

They knocked on the second-floor door and Slappy opened it, then slammed it shut after seeing the officers, Ricci sad. Once inside, the two officers grabbed the teens and brought them to the front porch for questioning. When the officers couldn’t prove the teens were involved, they "let them go," he said.

But Sepulveda described a much more violent scene, which began when Davis banged on the Beech Street apartment door. Slappy answered the door and was "met with a punch to the face by Davis, and a gun to the chest," Sepulveda said. The teens were dragged to the front porch, where they were forced to lie face down at gunpoint, he said. "Davis has to know who threw the rock," Sepulveda said. "He wouldn’t let it go."

The trial, which resumes Tuesday, is expected to last more than a week.

Officer Lawrence Furlow Arrested For Shaking Down Drug Dealers

The state Attorney General’s Office has decided to retry its case against a Newark police officer accused of shaking down drug dealers for money, drugs and guns, after his first trial ended last month with a hung jury.

The officer, Lawrence Furlow, 49, was arrested in 2004 and charged with conspiracy, official misconduct and theft, according to the original indictment.

A new trial isn’t expected to begin until May because Furlow’s attorney, Thomas Ashley, is handling a death penalty case in Philadelphia, authorities said.

Attorneys on both sides will meet Friday morning with Superior Court Judge Peter Ryan in Newark to set a new trial date, said Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office.

Ashley, who represented Furlow in the previous trial that ended Dec. 16 with a hung jury, said he intends to stay on as counsel. He said his client was "heartened" when the jury revealed it had voted, 8-4, in favor of acquittal, before deadlocking.

Furlow’s arrest — along with fellow officer Darius Smith — was part of a larger investigation by the state Division of Criminal Justice and Newark police into allegations so-called rogue officers robbed drug dealers and prostitutes, resold drugs and sold guns, planted drugs on victims and filed false reports over a three-year period.

Smith, 38, whose charges mirror Furlow’s, will be tried separately. His trial will start March 23, according to court records.

Both men, who are out on bail, have been suspended from the police department since their arrests more than five years ago. Ashley said Furlow, who has been on the force since 1996, has found other employment, but is only making "a modicum of a living."

Smith’s attorney, Raymond Beam Jr., could not be reached for comment.

Deputy Attorneys General Annmarie Taggart and Mark Ondris will prosecute the case against Furlow. Office policy prohibits attorneys from discussing an ongoing case, Aseltine said.

Furlow and Smith were implicated by another police officer, Tyrone Dudley, who went into witness protection after pleading guilty to participating in the thefts.

The charges against Furlow cover December 2001 to 2003, when he patrolled the West Ward. Authorities say he took cash, drugs and weapons from drug dealers, criminal suspects and others by shaking them down. He also planted drugs on other victims to increase his arrests and cover up his illegal actions, according to the original indictment.

Ashley said his client denies any wrongdoing and "professes his innocence. I am very confident that at the end of the day, he will be absolutely innocent."

Former Officer Stephen Wassel Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force

A former police officer has admitted to using excessive force on a 12-year-old concerning a stolen bike.

Stephen Wassel pleaded guilty Wednesday to a disorderly persons offense and paid a $750 fine. The 47-year-old Hamburg resident retired from the Fair Lawn Police force after the April incident.

The child's mother said her son's friend was stopped after stealing a bike. Police also called for the boy to stop. But Hansel Castillo ran away.

Authorities said the officer grabbed the boy by his head and smashed his face into the pavement.

The boy was never charged in the bike case. A lawyer for the child said he plans to file a lawsuit against Fair Lawn.

Officer Steven Solari Charged with Hitting Handcuffed Suspect

A Little Silver police officer has been charged with hitting a handcuffed suspect and trying to get a witness to the incident to lie to investigators, authorities said today.

Patrolman Steven Solari, an 11-year veteran of the department, was charged Thursday with two counts of official misconduct and one count each of aggravated assault, tampering with a witness, obstruction of justice and hindering his own apprehension, Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin said.

Valentin said Solari, 36, is accused of hitting a suspect several times at police headquarters on Dec. 20 while the man had his hands cuffed behind his back.

Solari and another Little Silver police officer arrested the man after responding to a call at an undisclosed private residence. During the call, Valentin said, Solari and the man got into a struggle. The man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

At headquarters, Solari allegedly struck the handcuffed man several times, causing his head to hit a metal filing cabinet. The man, whose identity was not released, was treated at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, the prosecutor said.

Two days after the alleged incident, Soliar, dressed in his full uniform and on duty, approached one of the witnesses to the attack in an attempt to convince the witness to lie or withhold the truth from investigators, Valentin said. He would not say whether the witness was another police officer.

Solari is suspended without pay. He was released from the Monmouth County jail in Freehold today after posting $81,000 bail.

If convicted of the most serious charges, Solari could face up to 20 years in prison and would be permanently barred from holding any public job in New Jersey.