Middletown school board member arrested on multiple serious illegal gun charges

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — Middletown Board of Education member Joe Fitzgerald was arrested Monday evening and charged with six weapons offenses, according to local authorities.

Police said Fitzgerald was caught with multiple illegal guns in his possession. Police did not say whether or not he brought those weapons at any time to Middletown School Board meetings where he serves on the board, or onto school property.

The Middletown school district has not made any comments regarding these serious charges Fitzgerald is now facing. Jacky Tobacco, the board president, has also not made any public comments regarding the multiple illegal firearms charges.

Fitzgerald, a first-term school board member, was taken into custody after 5 p.m. and booked into the Monmouth County jail Tuesday morning. Middletown Police confirmed his arrest and said the charges stem from illegal possession of multiple weapons, including a handgun without a permit.

As of Tuesday morning, Fitzgerald remained in custody. His charges include possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and several counts of unlawful possession of various weapons.

Key Points

Middletown school board member Joe Fitzgerald arrested on six weapons charges
Offenses include handgun possession without a permit and unlawful purpose
Fitzgerald was elected to the board in 2022 and planned to seek re-election this fall

The charges against Fitzgerald are as follows:

Unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit (2C:39-5B(1))
Unlawful possession of handguns/air/spring/pistols (2C:39-5B(2))
Unlawful possession of other weapons (2C:39-5D)
Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (2C:39-4A(1))
Two counts of unlawful possession of other weapons (2C:39-4D)

Fitzgerald, who was first elected to the school board in 2022, has served nearly three years. His current term ends this November, and he had publicly stated on Facebook that he intended to seek re-election.

No additional details regarding the circumstances of the arrest or the type of weapons involved have been released by authorities.

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