FREEHOLD – A 14-year veteran on the Deal Police Department has been arrested for drug offenses and witness tampering.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said Officer Joseph Ammaturo, 37, of Long Branch, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, third-degree witness tampering, and a disorderly persons charge of possession of marijuana.
He was arrested and released from Monmouth County Jail Dec. 20 on the conditions “conditions that he report to Pretrial Services monthly, have no victim contact, and refrain from drug use,” the prosecutor’s office said.
The third-degree offenses carry a maximum five-year sentence each. The disorderly persons offense carries a six-month maximum sentence.
“There is no greater breach of the public’s trust than a sworn law enforcement officer who breaks the laws he is sworn to uphold. This office will aggressively pursue and prosecute any officers who cross that line. It is a stain on the reputations of all hardworking and honest police officers when one of their own violates the public trust in this way,” Gramiccioni said.
Ammaturo is the 15th law enforcement officer prosecuted since Gramiccioni took office July 1, 2012.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Daniel Newman at 732-431-7160, ext. 7167.
