These Atlantic, Cape May Co. Cops Faced 'Major Discipline' In 2024: Attorney General

ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY COUNTIES, NJ — Officers in the Cape-Atlantic area are among those who faced major discipline in 2024, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

The major discipline report for 2024 released Monday provides data regarding officers who were suspended for more than five days, demote, or terminated last year, along with data on officers found guilty of certain internal affairs violations.

“The vast majority of New Jersey’s law enforcement officers show up to work each day and risk their own safety to help and protect others and to serve their communities. They conduct themselves with honor and courage in the face of trying circumstances and dangerous situations. Publicly releasing this data about the handling of disciplinary matters helps maintain the public’s trust in those dedicated, hardworking men and women of law enforcement,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “My office is committed to improving transparency and building confidence in government, and providing this data is part of that mission.”

Officers were cited for things including domestic violence, sexual harassment, using excessive force, providing contraband to inmates and more.

These are the officers who were disciplined, according to the report.

Atlantic County

Atlantic City PD: Officer Michael Vega transported a civilian in his assigned marked patrol vehicle to the police compound where he allowed said civilian to enter a prohibited area (SWAT room) and engaged in sexual activity on duty. He was suspended for 90 days.

Officer Warren Young was charged with possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and aggravated assault in an investigation alleging domestic violence. Young was arrested in regards to a criminal complaint in which the victim asserts that during a verbal argument, he brandished a firearm and pointed it at the victim. Young was suspended pending the outcome of criminal charges.

Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office: Detective Bryan Casey was suspended for 45 days for sexual activity on duty.

Detective Denise Montgomery was suspended for 120 days for sexual activity on duty.

Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention: Officer Giovanni Brea was suspended for 10 days after her fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for her assigned shift. She was also separately suspended for six days after her fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for her assigned shift.

Officer Jimmy DeJesus resigned from his position not in good standing. At the time of his resignation, he exhausted his "W" time occurrences and was pending termination. He failed to give at least two weeks notice of resignation.

DeJesus was also suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift. Again, he was suspended for 10 days after his sixth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift.

Officer Sebastian Flores-Huamani was suspended for 10 days after an investigation revealed that he neglected his duties and responsibilities as a correction officer by failing to conduct a proper formal head count. He submitted documents falsely (a count slip) indicating that he had conducted a proper formal head count which he did not.

Sergeant Fred Gilbert was criminally charged with Official Misconduct, tampering with witnesses and informants and destruction / tampering of evidence from an incident where he discarded possible CDS and filed a false report.

Officer Juan Gil-Rodriguez was suspended for 30 days after he purposely and knowingly brought in a personal external device (flash drive) and connected the flash drive to a government owned
computer to listen to music while on duty. This violated the Computer usage and Information Technology policies.

Officer Jonathan Gonzalez was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift.

Officer Jacob Hartranft was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift (Fourth occurrence of the year).

Officer Daniel Haywood was suspended for 30 days after he purposely and knowingly brought in a personal external device (flash drive) and connected the flash drive to a government owned computer to watch movies and listen to music while on duty. This violated the Computer usage and Information Technology policies.

Officer Daniel Haywood was suspended for 10 days after an investigation revealed that on Dec. 16, 2022 he was involved in a vehicle accident while being intoxicated. Employee failed to obey the laws of the State of New Jersey by being charged and pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Officer Daivid Hightower was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift (Fourth occurrence of the year). Hightower was also suspended for 10 days after his fifth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift.

Officer Ronnie Lane was suspended for 15 days for bring a cell phone into the secure perimeter of the facility. He did not have consent of the Warden or his designee to do so.

Officer David Martinez gave contraband to the inmates in and outside of the facility. The inmate contact warranted removal effective immediately. He was observed on CCTV, and through eyewitness accounts, providing an inmate within the secured perimeter of the Atlantic County Justice Facility with contraband, to include food and unknown items, during his official duties as County Correctional Police Officer. His violation of standards of conduct got him terminated.

Officer Jose Martinez was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift.

Officer Allen Merlino was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift.

Officer Tamara Miller was suspended for six days after her fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for her assigned shift. She was suspended for six days on two other occasions for the same.

Lieutenant Michael Morrissey neglected to properly review the criminal record file for an inmate that resulted in his erroneous release from his court ordered commitment at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. He was suspended for 10 days.

Officer Christopher Piccioni resigned after being suspended without pay pending termination for fraternization with inmates and bringing in contraband within the secured perimeter. This was an ongoing investigation with Internal affairs and the Atlantic County Prosecutors office.

Officer Brian Pihs was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift. He was suspended for 10 days for the fifth occurrence.

Officer Nicholas Procaccini was assigned to an inmate medical watch at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Division, Pomona, New Jersey. He after using the restroom then exited the public restroom leaving his duty belt, which contained his on duty firearm, loaded magazines, and other equipment unattended. Procaccini's actions displayed a lack of judgement, neglect of his assigned duties, unsafe and dangerous weapons handling, and violated several departmental rules and regulations. He was suspended for 30 days.

Officer Tiana Robinson was suspended for six days after her fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out for her assigned shift, in a six month period, without enough sick time available.

Officer Maria Rodriguez was suspended for 15 days for bring a cell phone into the secure perimeter of the facility. She did not have consent of the Warden or his designee to do so.

Officer Jeffrey Stevenson was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift.

Officer Brian Townsel Jr. was suspended for six days after his fourth occurrence for coming in late / calling out in a six month period without any sick time for his assigned shift.

Atlantic County Sheriff's Office: Officer Thomas Denton received a 30 day suspension for sexual harassment of coworkers.

Egg Harbor Twp. PD: Detective Jeffrey Lancaster was criminally charged on a civilian summons complaint for terroristic threats resulting from an off-duty incident on May 03, 2023. The criminal complaint alleges Lancaster threatened an adult male after the male was observed in contact with a minor. On Jan. 22, 2024, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office remanded the criminal complaint to municipal court for a harassment offense. On March 25, 2024, the harassment offense was dismissed. Upon the conclusion of the Internal Affairs Investigation, a settlement agreement was reached resulting in a 20 day suspension (10 days to be served and 10 days held in abayance) as a result of the sustained finding for violation of department policy 4.1.2 (Action Off-Duty)

On Jan. 25, 2024, at or about 1630 hours in AtlantiCare Emergency Department (City Division), Patrol Officer Jeremiah Simmons, while on duty with another Egg Harbor Township Police Officer, was found to be inattentive to his duties and/or sleeping while assigned to guard a detainee who was under or receiving medical evaluation/care. Simmons was suspended for six days.

Hamilton Twp. PD: Recruit Officer Robert Maldonado's employment was terminated while he was attending the police academy due to multiple issues of insubordinate conduct while attending the academy. Maldonado, on several occasions, violated Academy Rules and Regulations by failing to follow directions or orders given by academy instructors. Maldonado questioned authority, ignored direction and repeatedly gave his opinions on what should be done.

Pleasantville PD: Officer Andrew Eckert responded as back-up for an investigation of a parked motor vehicle with the doors ajar and the interior light on. The vehicle was unoccupied in a parking lot of PNC Bank. When Eckert arrived, the subject was in custody and handcuffed. The subject was lying on the ground, facedown, when Eckert broke the subject’s wrist while he was restrained him in handcuffs. Following the physical force that caused the injury to the subject’s wrist, Eckert tossed him into the air and subsequently into a fence while he was still handcuffed. Eckert's employment was terminated.

Ventnor PD: Officer Matthew Gorham was suspended for a period of 180 days after being charged with and convicted of a violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 driving while intoxicated while off-duty.

Cape May County

Avalon PD: Patrolman TuJuan Baile, a full-time officer, made inappropriate comments at work and sent unwelcomed, sexual messages and images to a part-time female subordinate over a period of two years, via Snapchat. This caused the female to resign employment and tarnished the departments reputation by getting banned from a college job fair. His actions violated polices of harassment in the workplace. A last chance agreement was signed and he was suspended for 30 days.

Cape May County Sheriff's Office: On Oct. 4, 2023, Sheriff's Officer Ivan Addu was ordered by his immediate supervisor, that he had to work an overtime shift on Oct. 5, 2023, from midnight to 8 a.m. The overtime shift was a hospital detail in Camden to guard a prisoner who had been admitted. Addu informed the Sergeant that he was not going to argue about this, but that he would not work the detail. At that time the supervisor ordered Addu to complete a report explaining why he was refusing the order to work the detail. On the morning of Oct. 10, 2023, Addu had not submitted the required report to the Sergeant. The Sergeant again ordered Addu to complete the report and submit it to

him by 1 p.m. Addu informed his supervisor he was not going to complete the report. He was suspended for 12 days.

On or about May 18, 2023 Officer Emily Descala was scheduled to attend a mandatory zoom class for the CMCSO community outreach program. Descala was granted permission to take this class while at home and was scheduled to do so. Descala did not attend the entire furation of the class due to her attending an appointment which she did not request time off for. As a result Descala did not obtain the certification which was mandatory to be able to participate in an upcoming summer youth camp. Additionally Descala did not notify her supervisors that she did not complete the class. Instead, Descala was untruthful during an Internal Affairs interview and stated that she logged back into the May 18, 2023 zoom class after lunch. Charges were sustained and Descala was issued a PNDA. She waived a local hearing and was issued a FNDA which included removal. On Oct. 4, 2023 Descala filed a timely appeal with Civil Service and it was transferred to the OAL. On January 30, 2024 a hearing at the Office of Administrative Law commenced which resulted in a facilitated settlement which included Descala being granted a resignation in good standing with all charges dismissed . Since the charges were sustained at the local level this reporting is required by the NJ Attorney General Internal Affairs Policy and procedures.

On Feb. 12, 2023 Officer Jonathan Perez was charged with five criminal offenses for conduct not

related to his functions as a law enforcement officer. On Feb. 13, 2023, he was suspended without pay from the Cape May County Sheriff's Office. On April12, 2024, a Cape May County Jury found Perez
guilty of NJSA 2C: 14-2 (a)(1) First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault. He was also found guilty of other
Sexual Assault crimes. On June 5, 2024 New Jersey Police Training Commission issued an order revoking his Law Enforcement License. On Aug. 8, 2024 he was sentenced in New Jersey Superior Court in Cape May County before Judge Smith for the above offenses to a term of imprisonment of 30 years with the New Jersey Department of Corrections. During his sentencing hearing Judge Smith acknowledged that upon his conviction on April 12, 2024 his job as a Correctional Police Officer with Cape May County was terminated. Also, on Aug. 8, 2024 Judge Smith ordered that he be prohibited from any future public employment.

Lower Twp. PD: Patrolman Andrew DiDonato was involved in a single-car motor vehicle accident while off-duty in the Lower Township. During the accident investigation, the patrol division determined that DiDonato was intoxicated during the crash and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence and issued multiple motor vehicle summons. During this time DiDonato was assigned as a probationary officer to the Patrol Division during this incident. On July 9, 2024, DiDonato was found Guilty of Operating Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs in North Wildwood Municipal Court. He was suspended for 55 days.

In May 2024, Patrolman Stephen Flitcroft responded to a domestic call with Patrolman White. White entered the residence and engaged the subject, who began throwing objects. Flitcroft approached slowly and hesitated to assist. During the struggle, the subject broke free, and White made multiple radio calls for backup while continuing to engage physically with the subject. After the subject was handcuffed by White, he began kicking items and ultimately kicked White in the head multiple times. Flitcroft failed to use his radio, appropriately intervene or apply meaningful physical force to assist White. Flitcroft displayed inadequate response, lack of engagement, and failure to use proper force or communication during a critical incident. He was suspended for 30 days.

Middle Twp. PD: Officer Jeffrey Rigg was arrested for DWI in Maryland. He plead "Not Guilty Agreed Statement of Facts." Rigg was suspended for 60 days.

Ocean City PD: Investigation revealed that Officer Thomas Mullineaux was arrested for assaulting a

victim during a domestic violence incident. Somers Point Officers found evidence that Mullineaux assaulted the victim. They were involved in a dating relationship. Mullineaux was arrested and placed on a warrant for domestic violence simple assault. Mullineaux did appear in Somers Point Municipal Court but the victim did not want to be involved in the prosecution and the case was dismissed. The Ocean City Police Department was moving for termination due to the incident occurring while Mullineaux was under a “Last chance Agreement”. Prior to the conclusion of the internal affairs investigation, Mullineaux resigned effective May 3, 2024.

Patrolman Christian Palzer was arrested for assaulting a victim during a domestic violence incident. Probable cause was found for the issuance of a criminal complaint for simple assault. The victim also applied for and was granted a temporary restraining order. The TRO was dropped by the victim a few days later. A trial was held for the simple assault charge in Somers Point Municipal Court and Palzer was found guilty by the Judge. The case is under appeal. When this incident occurred, Palzer was a probationary officer. The Ocean City Police Department was moving for termination due to the guilty verdict and the incident occurring while under probation. Prior to the conclusion of the Internal Affairs investigation, Palzer resigned effective April 1, 2024.

During the course of a full time Police Officer job interview it was disclosed that SLEO II Timothy Pyne falsified a prior job application in order to defeat a polygraph examination. Upon further investigation it was confirmed that false information was provided to an out of state Police Department by Pyne which was verified to be false. His position was terminated.

Sea Isle City PD: On July 27, 2024, SLEO II Officer Ignacio Herandez Jr. was involved in a foot pursuit with a suspect. During the pursuit, Herandez utilized a ride share vehicle to assist himself with the foot pursuit. When asked by his supervisor about his involvement in the foot pursuit, Herandez failed to disclose to him that he utilized a ride share vehicle during the foot pursuit. When confronted again, Herandez told his supervisor that he didn’t think it was that important to tell him, even though he activated his body camera during the incident. He was given a written warning.

Wildwood PD: SLEO II Police Officer Alex Grueso was missing from his full time swearing in ceremony. Further investigation revealed that he called in sick the day before only to go out and celebrate with friends and family. As a result, he resigned from the agency pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation.

During the performance of his duties, SLEO II Police Officer Saul Meghnagi was operating a marked patrol vehicle on the beach when he inadvertently struck a beachgoer. As a result, he was suspended for 10 days at the conclusion of the internal affairs investigation.

SLEO I Police Officer Shaki Pippins was investigated for falsifying the amount of parking summons issued in his name. As a result, he resigned from the agency pending the outcome of an internal

affairs investigation.

SLEO II Police Recruit Raymond Weed failed to disclose information on his application and as a result he resigned from the agency pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation.

Cape May County police departments without major discipline last year were Cape May City, Cape May County Prosecutor's Office, North Wildwood, Stone Harbor, West Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.