Please go to your Post editor » Post Settings » Post Formats tab below your editor to enter video URL.

by Phil Stilton

LACEY TOWNSHIP-It was at the scene of an accident in Lacey Township when Lacey Reporter freelance journalist Andrew Flinchbaugh was approached by officers from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office who demanded the seizure of the reporter’s video equipment.

Officers told Flinchbaugh they were seizing his camera as evidence, but Flinchbaugh denied, instead offering the officers to watch the video and offered to provide a copy of the video to the officers.

Flinchbaugh’s recording of the video started after the arrival of police officers and the medevac helicopter which transported the patient, but not of the actual crash itself.

The officers interrogated Flinchbaugh who was permitted access to the scene by local firefighters blocking off the road.

“This is not a negotiation, I’m not negotiating with you,” the unidentified officer told Flinchbaugh.”

Flinchbaugh identified himself as a member of the media and the outlet he was working for, the Lacey Reporter, but officers insisted that he turn over the camera for evidence.

“What are you going to do with the video?” the officer asked.

“It’s for publication,” he responded.

After explaining to the officer that he could not give the officer his camera, the officer said, “I’m going to explain to you that I’m a law enforcement officer…there might be evidence on it.”

The matter was escalated to an unnamed higher ranking officer, claiming to be a lieutenant with the Prosecutor’s Office. Flinchbaugh explained to the officer that he is a freelance journalists for the Lacey Reporter.

Flinchbaugh told the higher ranking officer he would be happy to share the footage with the prosecutor’s office and said he would fully comply, but he would not allow the officers to seize the camera.

The situation appeared to be diffused, but officers returned shortly after, and presentede the journalist with an ultimatum.

“You can leave now….but not with the camera,” the officer told Flinchbaugh.

The officer then placed Flinchbaugh under arrest after his refusal to allow the officer to seize the camera and seized the camera. He was charged with obstruction after being handcuffed and booked at the local police station.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato said, “We’ll probably be dismissing the charge against him.”

“I refused because I believe it’s our first amendment right,” Flinchbaugh said. “I don’t think they would treat other members of the corporate media this way.”

Coronato said the incident will be used in future training to Ocean County area law enforcement on how to hand situations involving video cameras at the scene of an investigation.

The Prosecutor’s Office offered no further comment on the incident.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.