Former Deal Police Officer pleads guilty to witness tampering
An ex-Deal Police Officer has plead guilty to tampering with a witness (3rd Degree) involved in a pending narcotics transaction in December of 2018, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.
Joseph Ammaturo, 38, of Long Branch, who spent 14-years on the force in Deal, was ordered to vacate his position in the police department where has been on suspension without pay.
The Court also ordered that Ammaturo forfeit all future public employment in New Jersey.
“We will continue to hold law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. Bad cops will be weeded out as their illegal actions or infidelity of the public trust are discovered. Mr. Ammaturo can never hold public office in New Jersey ever again – that, coupled with probation, is an appropriate sentence. The community expects better of a law enforcement officer, and the law enforcement community holds its own officers to a higher standard. Mr. Ammaturo failed us all,” Prosecutor Gramiccioni said.
Ammaturo is scheduled to return before Judge Bauman for sentencing on September 4, 2020.
Along with his forfeiture of employment, Ammaturo faces an additional period of probation.
“Any violations of the law and betrayal of the public’s trust will not be tolerated by the members of the Deal Police Department,” Deal Police Chief Ronen Neuman said. “We will not allow the actions of this officer to tarnish the commitment and integrity of the men and women of this department. Our officers are highly trained and dedicated professionals that serve with honor, dignity, and respect. The public should be reassured that as an accredited agency our officers are held accountable in both upholding and enforcing the laws.”
The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibility and Bias Crimes Unit.
Ammaturo is represented by Mitchell Ansell, Esq., of Ocean Township.
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