Wife Of Meth-Making Long Branch Cop Turned Him In: Police

LONG BRANCH, NJ – A 19-year veteran of the Long Branch police force was arrested for making meth in his home after his wife provided photo evidence of drug and explosive making instructions, according to court documents.

An affidavit released by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said the investigation began when Long Branch police were called to the home of now-suspended officer Christopher Walls for a domestic dispute on the night of May 15.

While investigating the dispute, Walls’ wife told the police that she believed her husband was involved with the making of narcotic activity, giving them photos that she took with showed books about making meth and bombs, including a copy of the “Anarchist Cookbook.”

After an investigation turned up drug-making material, Walls was subsequently arrested on charges including first-degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility and second-degree possession of a firearm during the course of a CDS offense.

During the investigation, The New Jersey State Police Hazmat Unit found materials, chemicals, and instruments consistent with a methamphetamine laboratory in both the basement of the residence and in a shed on the property, prosecutors said.

The NJSP Hazmat Unit confirmed that Walls had all ingredients necessary to manufacture methamphetamine and found methamphetamine residue in chemistry-related glassware on-site, prosecutors said.

Additionally, a large open and unsecured gun safe was in the home, which was accessible to a child living in the residence. Inside the gun safe were two long guns, four handguns, eight high-capacity magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition, prosecutors said.

Walls has been suspended without pay, pending a termination investigation, according to Long Branch Mayor John Pallone.

"The city has a no-tolerance policy for any illegal activity committed by police officers. They must be held to the highest standard," Pallone said in a statement.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Detective Brian Hammarstrom of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 732-431-7160, extension 6413.