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Jul 4

Deal ex-cop pleads guilty to witness tampering in narcotics investigation – Asbury Park Press

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FREEHOLD A former Deal police officer has pleaded guilty to witness tampering,Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

In a virtual court proceeding Thursday, Joseph Ammaturo, 38,a 14-year veteran of the Deal Police Department,admitted to tampering with a witness regarding a pending narcotics investigation in December 2018.

During the proceeding, Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David Bauman ordered that Ammaturoforfeit his position as a police officer in the Borough of Deal. Since his arrest, Ammaturo hadbeen suspended without pay.

Ammaturo must also forgo all future public employment in New Jersey.According toDataUniverse, the online public database of the Asbury Park Press, Ammaturoreceived an annual salary of $124,316 in 2018.

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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," Gramiccioni said in a statement.

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"The community expects better of a law enforcement officer, and the law enforcement community holds its own officers to a higher standard," the statement continued. "Mr. Ammaturo failed us all."

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Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.(Photo: File photo)

Ammaturowas arrested at his home in Long Branch on Dec. 19, 2018. He was initiallycharged with witness tampering, conspiracy to possess cocaine and possession of less than 50 grams of suspected marijuana.

In July 2019, Ammaturo was chargedwith possession of clenbuterol, possession of clenbuterol with intent to distribute, distribution of clenbuterol andpossession of testosterone cypionate and doxycycline.

Earlier:Deal cop charged with drug offenses and witness tampering

Intended to used only as a veterinary drug to treat asthma in horses, clenbuterol is unlawfullyingested by some bodybuilders and athletesto increase lean muscle mass and reduce body fat, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Testosterone cypionate is used to treat low testosterone in men a common symptom in performance-enhancing drug use, according to theNational Institute on Drug Abuse. Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, such as chlamydia, according to the Food & Drug Administration.

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Any violations of the law and betrayal of the publics trust will not be tolerated by the members of the Deal Police Department, Deal Police Chief Ronen Neuman said in a statement.

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 Prosecutors Office has connected Ammaturo'scase tothe arrest of an Ocean Township police officer on Feb. 19.

Ryan L. Vaccaro, of Allenhurst, was also charged with possession of clenbuterol, possession of clenbuterol with intentto distribute and distribution of clenbuterol. Previously, he served as president of Police Benevolent Association Local 57 the township police union.

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Investigators discoveredthatVaccaro provided Ammaturo withthree boxes of clenbuterol that contained about 150 pills. Ammanturothen distributed two of the boxes to other individuals and kept the third box for himself at his home which was later recovered by the investigators, according the Prosecutor's Office.

Ammaturo is scheduled to return for sentencing on Sept. 4. He faces an additional period of probation in addition to his forfeiture of employment.

The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Offices Professional Responsibility and Bias Crimes Unit.

Contributing: Kathleen Hopkins and Erik Larsen

Jai-Leen James is a digital producer at the Asbury Park Press. She can be reached at jtjames@gannett.com or onTwitter @j_james17.

Read or Share this story: https://www.app.com/story/news/crime/2020/07/03/deal-ex-cop-pleads-guilty-witness-tampering-police-misconduct/5371520002/

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Deal ex-cop pleads guilty to witness tampering in narcotics investigation - Asbury Park Press

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