FREEHOLD – A veteran police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally accessing a confidential national law enforcement database. The officer admitted he did not have a legitimate reason to access the database and later provide the information obtained to a person who is not a member of law enforcement, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Christopher DeSarno, 40, of Holmdel, a 19-year veteran police officer with the Aberdeen Police Department pleaded guilty to one count of third degree Computer Theft before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Thomas F. Scully. DeSarno has applied to the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) Program. DeSarno is scheduled for sentencing on March 20, 2017, when a determination will be made if he will be accepted into the program.
As part of his plea agreement, DeSarno will also forfeit his post as a police officer and any future public offices or public employment within New Jersey. Judge Scully signed an Order following DeSarno’s admission of guilt forfeiting his position as a police officer with the Aberdeen Township Police Department.
In November 2012, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Prosecutor Gramiccioni, launched a Corruption Tip Line designed to solicit the public’s assistance in identifying and targeting corruption, fraud and misconduct occurring in local governmental agencies.
Citizens may report concerns via the following: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line – 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878); or E-mail at: corruption@co.monmouth.nj.us write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Lipp.
DeSarno is represented by Mitchell Ansell, Esq., of Ocean Township.
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