Joseph LaBarbera faces four charges after a roadside confrontation in Stillwater; Republican officials are calling for him to temporarily step aside.
STILLWATER, N.J. — Sussex County Republican Chairman Joseph LaBarbera allegedly pointed a handgun at another driver during a roadside confrontation while the man’s 18-month-old daughter was inside his vehicle, according to charging documents and New Jersey State Police.
LaBarbera, 50, of Hardwick Township, was arrested Saturday, Sept. 12, after troopers investigated a reported road-rage encounter on Millbrook Road.
He faces charges of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, fourth-degree unjustified display of a firearm and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Drivers confronted each other along Millbrook Road
State Police responded at approximately 2:18 p.m. after receiving reports of an incident involving the drivers of a Mercedes-Benz SUV and a Kia SUV.
The Kia driver told investigators that the Mercedes driver had been following closely behind him. He reportedly pulled over to allow the Mercedes to pass, but the Mercedes driver also stopped.
An argument followed.
According to charging documents cited in published reports, LaBarbera allegedly produced a black Sig Sauer P365X handgun and pointed it at the Kia driver. The man’s 18-month-old daughter was inside the Kia at the time.
Neither the driver nor the child was injured.
LaBarbera gave police a different account
LaBarbera reportedly told investigators he had been traveling two or three car lengths behind the Kia when its driver stopped.
He said he pulled over to determine whether the driver needed assistance. LaBarbera alleged that the other driver threatened to shoot him, prompting him to place his hand on his gun and begin removing it from its holster.
State Police later located LaBarbera at a restaurant along County Road 521 in Stillwater and arrested him. He was taken to the Morris County Jail pending a detention hearing.
The incident remains under investigation. A summary of the State Police account was published by Insider NJ.
Republican officials ask chairman to step aside
LaBarbera has chaired the Sussex County Republican Committee since 2023, succeeding longtime chairman Jerry Scanlan.
State Sen. Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, Assemblyman Michael Inganamort and all five Republican Sussex County commissioners issued a joint statement asking LaBarbera to temporarily relinquish control of the county organization.
“For the good of the party, we believe the chairman should focus on this serious legal and personal matter, step aside, and allow the vice chair to temporarily lead the party and let the county committee make the best long-term decision,” the officials said.
Vice Chairman Billy Marotta would lead the organization during any temporary absence.
Earlier Sussex GOP leader faced a tax case, stolen valor allegations
The earlier criminal case involving a prominent Sussex County Republican official concerned former County Commissioner William “Bill” Hayden. Hayden was charged with filing a fraudulent state tax return after authorities alleged he falsely claimed a veterans’ exemption.
Hayden pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors later offered him admission into New Jersey’s Pretrial Intervention program, conditioned on his forfeiture of public employment, according to local court coverage.
Successful completion of PTI could result in the tax charge being dismissed. Hayden’s case did not involve a firearm.
Shore News Network previously reported on Hayden’s tax-fraud charge.
LaBarbera has been charged but not convicted. All allegations against him remain subject to proof in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
More coverage is available through SNN’s Sussex County, New Jersey politics and crime archives.
