BRANCHBURG, NJ – Police have arrested and charged Jerry Otero, 40, of Staten Island. Otero, while serving as a coach of a youth baseball game in the USABL baseball league in Branchburg, New Jersey, violently assaulted a 72-year-old umpire.
The assault took place at a tournament game for players under the age of 13.
On June 4, at approximately 8:08 p.m., Branchburg Township Police officers were dispatched to White Oak Park for a report of an assault upon an umpire.
“Upon their arrival, officers were told by bystanders that the suspect had left the park prior to their arrival. Officers also spoke with the victim, a 72-year-old male umpire who was bleeding from the mouth,” the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said. “The victim told officers that while umpiring a little league baseball game, he ejected one of the coaches for using foul language. The victim told the officers that the coach, who was later identified as Jerry Otero, punched him on the left side of his face. As a result of the follow-up investigation conducted by Branchburg Township detectives it was later determined that after receiving medical treatment, the victim had sustained a fractured jaw and concussion from being struck.”
The elderly umpire required surgery and had his jaw wired shut, according to reports. After being released from the hospital, he visited the baseball field to let the players know he was alright a few days later.
Somerset Prosecutor Taggart stated that on June 21, 2022 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Jerry Otero turned himself into detectives at the Branchburg Township Police Department. Defendant Otero was charged with Aggravated Assault 3rd degree and Assault at a Youth Sports Event 4th degree.
Otero was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing into this matter.