TOMS RIVER, NJ — A man who says he was among six people interviewed by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office about alleged sexual abuse by former fire chief and police officer Robert M. Sinnott Jr. is questioning why the county investigation was closed before state authorities obtained a nine-count indictment.
After all, the state found more than sufficient evidence to indict Sinnott on multiple charges after its own investigation.
The victim contacted Shore News Network following the Sept. 2 indictment and asked to remain anonymous because of the nature of the allegations. He said he may be willing to provide additional information about what he and others allegedly experienced.
Shore News Network also invites other victims to anonymously contact us via news@shorenewsnetwork.com and we will independently investigate all claims and seek comment from public officials.
“Six of us were interviewed by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office,” the man wrote. “Despite that, the investigation was closed—twice.”
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has not confirmed this allegation. On Friday, we reached out to the office with questions regarding this allegation and others.
The office has not replied as of this writing.
Shore News Network has contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for comment and provided officials with questions concerning the allegations. This story will be updated if the office responds.
A state grand jury indicted Sinnott, 53, on nine criminal counts involving 11 alleged victims. Sinnott formerly served as chief of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company in Toms River and as an Island Heights police officer.
The indictment includes criminal sexual contact, official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct charges. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office said its continuing investigation uncovered evidence of additional alleged conduct after Sinnott was initially charged in 2025.
The state case now involves 11 alleged victims.
Investigators allege Sinnott used his positions of authority to arrange situations in which he was alone with firefighters, subordinates and colleagues. In some cases, he allegedly handcuffed or physically restrained victims under the pretense of police training before forcing sexual contact.
The anonymous accuser said those allegations closely resemble conduct he reported years earlier.
“How did the State ultimately identify 11 alleged victims and obtain a nine-count indictment after the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office had already investigated and closed the matter twice?” he asked. “What did the State investigate that Ocean County did not?”
The victim claims OCPO Detectives Loria and Bayha interviewed him while reviewing a written statement he had submitted. He left the interview believing investigators were frustrated about having to revisit the case, although he acknowledged he could not know what the detectives were thinking.
He also questioned how quickly Sinnott allegedly learned that accusations had been reported.
According to the man, he raised that issue with Jason Steele, whom he identified as a lieutenant with the Prosecutor’s Office at the time. The accuser claimed he initially received conflicting information about whether county investigators knew the identity of Sinnott’s attorney.
He said officials continued to deny that information had been leaked.
Shore News Network has not independently confirmed that confidential information was disclosed to Sinnott or anyone representing him.
The victim also raised concerns about what he characterized as professional and personal relationships connecting Sinnott, Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, attorney Bill Cunningham and former employees of the Prosecutor’s Office.
He alleged that Billhimer previously worked alongside Sinnott in Seaside and that Cunningham had a longstanding friendship with Sinnott and professional ties to the Prosecutor’s Office. The accuser also cited Cunningham’s marriage to former Ocean County Superior Court Judge Theresa Cunningham and questioned whether the collective relationships should have led county officials to refer the case to another agency.
“I am not claiming these relationships prove misconduct,” the man wrote. “I am asking whether they were properly considered and whether the investigation was truly independent.”
Shore News Network has not independently verified all of the relationships described by the accuser or established that any of them influenced the county investigation.
What does he want?
The victim is simply asking for the media in NJ to conduct an independent review of whether potential victims, evidence or investigative leads were overlooked and whether county officials appropriately evaluated possible conflicts.
Shore News Network is asking the Asbury Park Press, Patch, Jersey Shore Online and others to also investigate this matter on behalf of the victims. The matter is now in criminal court, civil court, and the court of public opinion and public request for complete transparency with local government agencies.
We need to be sure the system works for everyone, not just those in powerful positions.
“Were potential victims overlooked? Were leads or evidence not pursued? Were conflicts properly addressed?” he asked. “How did Sinnott learn about the allegations so quickly? And why was the case never referred outside Ocean County?”
Sinnott has pleaded not guilty and, through his attorney, has said he intends to fight the charges. The charges remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Anyone with information about Sinnott’s alleged conduct may contact the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability at 1-844-674-2847 or Detective Brandon Mastropasqua at 609-960-3768.
If the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office responds to our request for comment, we will issue a follow up.
