TUCKERTON, NJ – The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the recent charging of Jennifer Docherty, a 46-year-old resident of West Creek, in a case involving theft related to her position as Utilities Collector for the Borough of Tuckerton.
Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that Docherty was charged on November 20, 2023, with Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition. This charge comes following a thorough investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards/Corruption Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, and the Borough of Tuckerton Police Department.
The investigation revealed that from June 2018 to June 2023, Docherty, while serving as Utilities Collector, did not properly handle proceeds from the collection of tax, water, and sewer payments, which amounted to over $10,000. Instead, it was found that she used these funds for personal purposes.
Docherty voluntarily surrendered to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office on November 20, accompanied by her attorney. Following her processing, she was served with the charge via summons and is awaiting her first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court. In light of these developments, the Borough of Tuckerton has placed Docherty on administrative leave during the ongoing investigation.
Prosecutor Billhimer has urged any Tuckerton Borough residents with information relevant to this case to contact Detective John Halliday of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3533, or Detective David Order of the Tuckerton Police Department at 609-296-9417.
The collaborative efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards/Corruption Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Tuckerton Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office have been acknowledged and commended by Prosecutor Billhimer in this ongoing investigation.