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MC Corrections Officer Arrested on Drug, Gun Charges

Written by MC Prosecutor's Office Wednesday, 14 October 2009 15:44

Newsbrief - Law and Order

FREEHOLD, NJ - On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, Todd Messinger, 40, of East Brunswick, N.J., was arrested by Detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and charged with numerous crimes, including third degree Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, second degree Possession of a Firearm While Committing a Drug Offense, and three counts of second degree Official Misconduct.

The arrest resulted from a joint and cooperative investigation which was conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Department of Corrections, and the Freehold Township Police Department. The joint investigation followed an internal investigation which was initiated by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and then referred to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. The joint investigation revealed that Messinger, who is employed by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office as a County Corrections Officer assigned to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, had made plans with another individual pursuant to which Messinger was going to bring roxycontin, a controlled dangerous substance, into the Monmouth County Correctional Institution with the intention to distribute the roxycontin to an inmate.

Concerted action by the various agencies who were involved in the investigation resulted in Messinger being arrested before his plans could be fully implemented, and before any controlled dangerous substances actually entered the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. Messinger was arrested while wearing his uniform and carrying his duty firearm as he was accepting delivery of what he believed to be the roxycontin a short distance from the Monmouth County Correctional Institution just after he completed his shift.

Messinger is charged with third degree Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third degree Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, third degree Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third degree Possession of an Imitation Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, second degree Possession of a Firearm While Committing a Drug Offense, and three counts of second degree Official Misconduct.

If convicted, the maximum potential custodial sentence for each of the third degree crimes is a State Prison term of up to 5 years. If convicted, the maximum potential custodial sentence for second degree Possession of a Firearm while Committing a Drug Offense is a State Prison term of up to 10 years. The crime of Possession of a Firearm While Committing a Drug Offense is subject to the “Graves Act,” which requires the imposition of a period of parole ineligibility of at least 3 years. If convicted, the maximum potential custodial sentence for each of the second degree Official Misconduct charges is a State Prison term of up to 10 years with a mandatory 5 year period of parole ineligibility.

Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Joseph P. Quinn set bail for Messinger at $560,000. Messinger posted bail shortly after his arrest, and he was released. Following his arrest, Messinger, who has been employed by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 9 years, was suspended without pay.

Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno stated, “The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate unethical or illegal conduct by any of its employees.” Sheriff Guadagno further stated, “The integrity of the 650 dedicated men and women who serve in the Sheriff’s Office must be and remain above reproach.”

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin stated, “Corrections Officer Messinger violated his sacred oath to uphold the laws of this State and by so doing violated the trust of this community and brought negative attention to a fine law enforcement agency that played a major role in bringing an end to his criminal conduct.”

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

http://www.ahherald.com/index.php/Law-and-Order/mc-corrections-officer-arrested-on-drug-gun-charges.html