LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT FOR RELEASING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AHEAD OF NARCOTICS RAID
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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Lakewood Chief of Police Gregory H. Meyer today announced the arrest of Jorge L. Lopez. Lopez is charged with Official Misconduct pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2(a), a second degree offense, for acting with purpose to obtain a benefit for himself or other, he committed an act relating to his public employment but one that was not authorized.
Lopez’s arrest stems from a March 16, 2018 incident where he observed officers assembling in a township building to execute a narcotics related search warrant. Lopez was authorized to be in the building as a township custodian; however, he was not authorized to share what he observed. Lopez immediately shared this sensitive information with his drug supplier, who was also the target of the raid.
Lakewood Det. Sgt. Leroy Marshall brought the matter to the attention of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Internal Affairs Unit who worked in conjunction with the OCPO High Tech Unit to assist Lakewood Police. Senior Assistant Prosecutor William Scharfenberg approved the above charges against Lopez. He was processed on a summons consistent New Jersey Bail Reform Act and will be required to answer the charges at a future date.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.