Prosecutor: Cops Plead Guilty to Criminal Mischief; Targeting Citizen After Complaint

An Asbury Park police officer and a former city Special Law Enforcement Officer, Class II (SLEO-2) pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges that they vandalized vehicles belonging to a citizen who filed an internal affairs complaint against them, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a released statement.

Asbury Park Police Officer Stephen Martinsen, 31, and former SLEO II Thomas Dowling, 27, both of Asbury Park, entered guilty pleas virtually to the charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief in connection to the vandalism of two vehicles, one in Ocean Grove and one in Asbury Park, between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2019.

Dowling and Martinsen admitted during their plea hearing that they slashed the tires of the vehicles and smashed a window of one of the vehicles, causing more than $500 in damage. They also admitted that they vandalized the vehicles after the victim filed a complaint against them with the Asbury Park Police Department.

“Spiteful retaliation from law enforcement officers towards a citizen for any reason is an unacceptable option. This is in no way condoned at any level, for any reason. All members of the law enforcement community must maintain the public’s trust by conducting themselves at the highest level of integrity and decency.”
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni

Martinsen has been suspended without pay since this incident. Dowling was terminated when the initial charges were filed. Martinsen had been part of the department since 2013, starting as a Special Law Enforcement Officer, Class 1 in May 2013, becoming a SLEO-2 in May 2014 and then becoming a full-time member of the force since July 2017. Dowling had been a SLEO-2 since May 2015.

As part of the plea agreements, the defendants permanently forfeited any future public employment in the state of New Jersey. The state also agreed to recommend a probationary sentence conditioned upon restitution being made to the victim for damage to the motor vehicles. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2020.

The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.

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— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office