$75K For Morris County Man Who Said He Was Assaulted By Cop

BOONTON, N.J. – A Morris County man has received a $75,000 settlement from the town of Boonton after he was allegedly assaulted by a police officer in that town in 2012.

Jeffrey Eckert, who was initially charged with obstruction and resisting arrest after he was stopped in Boonton by Officer Stephen Jones for speeding and being unlicensed, alleged he was physically beaten and pepper-sprayed by the cop for no reason.

In court documents (see below) from the settlement, Eckert alleged he was stopped in front of his Boonton home by Officer Jones. When he arrived, a third person came out of the home with two dogs – one on a leash, one not – and the driver asked if he could exit the vehicle to put the animals back inside.

Eckert said in court Jones gave the approval to do so, but when he exited the vehicle, the officer punched him several times in the face and stomped his head into the ground, kicked him in the ribs, and pepper sprayed him, documents show.

Eckert was then placed under arrest and put in the back of the patrol car.

The settlement came earlier in March in the amount of $75,000. In doing so, the police department, nor Jones, admits any guilt.

Jones is now listed as a Lieutenant and is third in command with the police department in Boonton.