BRICK, NJ – Three people have been arrested in Brick Township this week for crimes against children, but what makes these incidents harder to swallow is that two of them were people of the community’s entrusted class, a police officer and a school teacher.
While crimes against children are always shocking and painful when they involve people we put our faith and trust in to be around our children, it’s more difficult to process and understand. A sense of fear sets in. If children are not safe among teachers and cops, who are they safe with.
This week’s incidents are not unique to Brick. Since 2020, the increase in child crimes have increased nationwide, with perpetrators from all walks of life.
Brick woman teaching in Wall had sexual relationship with student
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FREEHOLD, NJ—Julie Rizzitello, a former teacher at Wall Township High School, has been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with a student, according to a joint announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran.
Rizzitello, 36, from Brick Township, faces two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Witness Tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact. This follows her resignation earlier in the week.
The investigation, conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau along with Wall Township and Brick Township Police Departments, uncovered that Rizzitello allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual activities with the student across Belmar, Brick, and Wall on multiple occasions.
Brick State Trooper arranged to have sex with young girl
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BRICK, NJ – A New Jersey State Police Trooper has been charged with attempting to arrange a sexual encounter and obtain sexually graphic images from a child, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.
Shane H. Dempsey, 31, of Brick Township, faces multiple charges, including second-degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Permitting the Child to Engage in the Production of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM), second-degree Attempted Engaging in Prostitution, second-degree Attempted Luring, second-degree Attempted Sexual Assault, and third-degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Sexual Conduct.
An investigation led by a Prosecutor’s Office Detective acting undercover on the social media app Whisper began earlier this year. The detective was contacted by Dempsey, who attempted to solicit sexually explicit images and expressed a desire to pay for a sex act from someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
Dempsey was taken into custody without incident in Ewing and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. He is awaiting future proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Brick man had lewd images of children
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Robert Lasher, 71, of Brick Township, was charged with Possession of Child Imagery on Tuesday.
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The investigation was initiated by a referral from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which received cyber-tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the uploading of child pornography. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit identified an IP address in Brick Township as the source of the uploads, leading to Lasher’s identification.
On Tuesday, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Brick Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at Lasher’s residence. A forensic examination of his electronic devices revealed several items of child pornography.
- Two Arrested at Roxbury Basketball Tournament, Firearm Recovered
ROXBURY, MA—During a basketball tournament at Malcolm X Park on Wednesday night, Boston Police arrested two individuals and seized a firearm. The Youth Violence Strike Force took action around 9:36 PM, arresting 18-year-olds Anthony Diaz from Malden and Braxten Baker from Brockton.
Officers were monitoring the event to enhance public safety when they noticed Diaz and Baker, who appeared uninterested in the game and focused instead on the police presence. Observations led to suspicions that Diaz might be armed.
When Diaz attempted to leave the tournament prematurely and fled upon police approach, he was quickly apprehended after a brief chase. Officers found a firearm concealed in his shorts. Meanwhile, Baker interfered with the arrest, leading to his own arrest for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
The recovered weapon was a black Ruger semi-automatic handgun with a defaced serial number and a laser attachment. The gun was loaded with one round in the chamber and six rounds in the magazine. Diaz faces multiple charges, including carrying and possessing a firearm illegally, and will be arraigned in Roxbury District Court.
- Mosquito Control Spraying Scheduled in Bergen County
Bergen County Mosquito Control has announced a truck spray operation to address mosquito activity in Oakland. The spraying is scheduled for early Monday morning, July 8, 2024, from 3:30 AM to 6:00 AM. During this period, Duet adulticide will be used to target active adult mosquitoes.
Residents in the affected area are advised to keep their windows closed while the spraying is in progress. The operation will focus on areas north of Rt. 287 and east of Ramapo Valley Road. Should there be rain on Monday, the spraying will be postponed to the following day, Tuesday, July 9.
For a detailed map of the spray area and more information, residents can visit the Oakland Borough website at Borough of Oakland Mosquito Control Information.
- Man Found Stabbed in Schenectady, Police Investigating
The Schenectady Police Department is actively investigating a stabbing that occurred on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at approximately 8:03 PM in the 300 block of Furman Street. Upon arrival, officers found two adult male victims suffering from stab wounds. Both individuals were quickly transported to Albany Medical Center, where they are reported to be in stable condition.
Detectives and the Crime Scene Unit were promptly on site to conduct further investigations. A nearby residence on McClellan Street, close to Becker Street, is believed to be linked to the incident and was secured by police as part of the investigation. This led to the temporary closure of McClellan Street between State Street and Becker Street, though it has since been reopened.
The Schenectady Police Department is requesting anyone with information about this stabbing to contact their tips line at (518) 788-6566. Community cooperation is crucial to the ongoing investigation and is greatly appreciated by local authorities.