From domestic violence allegations and drunken driving crashes to excessive force convictions and falsifying information during investigations, New Jersey State Police disciplinary records reveal a troubling list of misconduct cases involving troopers and supervisors across the agency.
The New Jersey State Police remains one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the nation, but newly released records from the state’s 2025 Major Discipline Report show that a number of troopers and supervisors faced serious disciplinary action over the past year for conduct both on and off duty.
The report details cases involving assaults, domestic violence incidents, alcohol-related crashes, misuse of authority, harassment, excessive force, improper police conduct, criminal indictments, and dishonesty during official investigations. Several troopers were terminated, while others received suspensions ranging from 10 days to more than a year.
Harassment and False Statements Lead to Suspension
Among the most serious internal misconduct cases involved Sergeant Mark Addotta, who received a 60-day suspension after investigators found he engaged in inappropriate harassing behavior toward another enlisted member while on duty. The report states that Addotta also provided misleading information during the subsequent misconduct investigation. The sustained charges included inappropriate actions toward another member, disobeying written orders, and intentionally providing false information during an investigation.
Another supervisor, Lieutenant Marc Pellegrino, received a 90-day suspension after admitting to conduct that brought discredit upon the division. Investigators determined he instructed a subordinate to sell state-owned property, ignored directives prohibiting contact with unit personnel, and made derogatory gender-based comments. The sustained violations included inappropriate on-duty actions, insubordination, conspiracy to engage in misconduct, and culpable inefficient supervision.
Sergeant First Class Robert Blackburn also faced discipline after investigators found he instructed a subordinate to sell state-owned property. Blackburn received a 30-day suspension for disobeying written orders and failing in his supervisory responsibilities.
Trooper Resigned After Unauthorized Traffic Stop in New York
Trooper Bryan Brownlee resigned while facing multiple disciplinary charges stemming from an incident in which he left his assigned patrol area and conducted an unauthorized traffic stop in New York State.
According to the report, Brownlee failed to document the stop, ignored supervisor orders to return to the station, and violated body-worn camera and mobile video recorder procedures. He resigned before discipline could be imposed.
Detective Charged After Fatal Motorcycle Crash Investigation
Detective Mark Campagna remains suspended pending the outcome of criminal charges connected to a fatal motorcycle crash investigation.
The report states Campagna was charged with fourth-degree endangering another person following an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. Authorities allege Campagna followed a motorcycle at a high rate of speed while operating an unmarked State Police vehicle. The motorcyclist later crashed and died. The criminal case remains pending.
Trooper Fired Following Domestic Violence Assault
Trooper Shane Dempsey was terminated after investigators substantiated allegations that he assaulted another person, causing visible injuries.
The report lists the sustained charge as domestic violence assault and states Dempsey was fired before formal discipline was imposed.
Lieutenant Receives 120-Day Suspension
Lieutenant William Donahue received one of the most significant suspensions in the report.
According to disciplinary records, Donahue was involved in an alcohol-related incident at his residence that required a police response. Investigators found he damaged property, harassed another individual, and behaved unprofessionally toward responding officers. The sustained violations included domestic violence harassment, criminal mischief, alcohol-related misconduct, and unprofessional conduct toward law enforcement officers. Donahue received a 120-day suspension.
Trooper Facing Witness Tampering and Stalking Charges
Trooper Vincent Ferdinandi remains suspended pending adjudication of serious criminal charges.
According to the report, Ferdinandi was charged with witness tampering, contempt of court, terroristic threats, stalking, and conspiracy to commit stalking following an investigation by the Clark Township Police Department.
Authorities allege Ferdinandi attempted to pressure a person protected under New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act not to testify against him. The criminal matter remains unresolved.
Nearly 15-Month Suspension for Trooper Involved in Assault
One of the largest disciplinary penalties involved Trooper Michael Hicks, who received a staggering 439-day suspension.
Investigators found Hicks acted unprofessionally during a crash investigation involving local police, later assaulted another person causing visible injuries, and provided statements that contradicted video evidence. Additional sustained charges included use of position to intimidate, failing to notify the division of significant information, and making intentional false statements.
The report notes Hicks ultimately resigned from employment following the disciplinary action.
Repeated Domestic Violence Findings End Trooper’s Career
Trooper Daniel Higgins resigned while facing multiple separate disciplinary cases involving domestic violence-related harassment.
The report documents three separate sustained cases involving harassment, contempt of court, and attempts to contact another individual despite court orders prohibiting contact. Higgins resigned before discipline was imposed in all three matters.
Excessive Force Conviction Leads to Termination
Trooper Nicholas Hogan was terminated after pleading guilty to third-degree aggravated assault.
The report states Hogan was criminally charged for excessive use of force and ultimately forfeited his position with the New Jersey State Police as part of the plea agreement. He was also permanently disqualified from future employment with the State of New Jersey.
DWI Arrests and Alcohol-Related Crashes
Several troopers faced discipline for driving while intoxicated and alcohol-related misconduct.
Trooper John Kerrison was arrested for operating his personal vehicle while intoxicated. The report indicates he was not reenlisted before discipline could be imposed.
Trooper Dahmiyr Owens received a 180-day suspension after being arrested for driving under the influence, refusing breath or blood testing, possessing an open container of alcohol, and failing to notify the division of his arrest.
Trooper Ibn Rabb was suspended for 60 days after becoming intoxicated at a bar, reentering through an employee entrance after being removed, prompting a police response and his arrest. Investigators also sustained charges related to misuse of position and inappropriate conduct.
Trooper Derrick Russell received a 270-day suspension after crashing his personal vehicle while intoxicated and fleeing the scene. Investigators found he falsely claimed the vehicle damage resulted from an earlier crash.
Trooper Kevin Scherba was suspended for 278 days after crashing his assigned troop vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene without reporting the accident.
Detective Sergeant Mark Wettengel received a 30-day suspension after using his assigned troop vehicle to facilitate the purchase of alcohol and later failing to properly report a crash.
Trooper Charged in Disturbing Wayne Incident
Trooper Alexander Lark remains suspended while facing multiple criminal charges stemming from an incident investigated by the Wayne Police Department.
According to the report, Lark allegedly acted erratically, attempted to remove a stop sign from the ground, resisted arrest, assaulted a Wayne police officer, and possessed a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Investigators also discovered that Lark’s dog had been shot and killed at his residence.
The charges include resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief, animal cruelty, and weapons offenses. The case remains pending.
Alcohol-Fueled Property Damage Ends Career
Trooper Andrew Menzoni resigned while facing allegations that he consumed alcohol and caused visible damage to a wall and vehicle. The report lists criminal mischief, alcohol-related misconduct, and disobeying written orders among the sustained charges.
Trooper Disciplined for Patrol Violations
Trooper Grant Stambaugh received a 10-day suspension after investigators found he violated numerous patrol procedures.
The sustained violations included failure to collect evidence, providing inaccurate information to dispatch, falsifying reports, failing to accept a civilian complaint, improper searches, and body camera violations.
Detective Fired After Leaving Crash Scene and Lying
Detective Michael Travis was terminated after violating a previously negotiated disciplinary agreement.
According to the report, Travis caused a motor vehicle crash, immediately fled the scene, failed to report the accident, and later provided false information during an investigation. Sustained violations included assault by auto, careless driving, cellphone use while driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to take proper police action, and making false statements.
Sensitive Information Mishandled
Detective Christopher Castro Rangel received a 10-day suspension after investigators found he failed to secure sensitive law enforcement information stored on his phone.
The information was later uploaded to his personal computer and accessed by another individual. Additional charges included unauthorized access to law enforcement databases and failing to report prohibited conduct by another member.
Pattern of Misconduct Revealed
The disciplinary cases reveal a wide range of misconduct across the ranks of the New Jersey State Police, from troopers and detectives to supervisors and command staff. While some members were terminated or resigned, others received lengthy suspensions measured in months rather than days.
The report also shows a recurring theme of alcohol-related incidents, domestic violence allegations, dishonesty during investigations, misuse of authority, and conduct that investigators concluded brought discredit upon the agency. Several criminal prosecutions remain pending.
Key Points
• Multiple New Jersey State Police troopers were terminated, suspended, or resigned following allegations ranging from domestic violence and excessive force to DWI crashes and dishonesty.
• Trooper Michael Hicks received a 439-day suspension, while Troopers Nicholas Hogan and Shane Dempsey were terminated.
• Several criminal cases remain pending against State Police members, including charges involving witness tampering, stalking, assault, animal cruelty, and a fatal motorcycle crash investigation.
