- Donald J. Reddin, 34, of Wharton, faces obstruction and conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance charges.
- Prosecutors allege Reddin warned the subject of a criminal investigation about police activity near his residence on March 12.
- Reddin, a Rockaway Township police officer at the time of the alleged conduct, is suspended without pay.
ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Rockaway Township police officer has been charged after allegedly providing privileged information to the subject of a criminal investigation, interfering with the execution of a search warrant, Morris County prosecutors announced Thursday.
Donald J. Reddin, 34, of Wharton, was charged Aug. 31 with one count of fourth-degree obstruction of a government operation and one count of third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll and Acting Chief of Detectives Mark Castellano.
Prosecutors allege Reddin was employed as a Rockaway Township police officer when the conduct occurred. He is now suspended without pay.
The allegations center on a criminal investigation underway March 12. According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Reddin allegedly provided privileged information to the person who was the subject of that investigation.
Authorities specifically allege Reddin told the person not to leave his residence because police activity was taking place in the area. Prosecutors said the alleged warning “negatively affected the execution of a search warrant during an investigation.”
The Prosecutor’s Office did not identify the subject of that investigation in its announcement or provide additional details about the underlying drug case. Authorities also did not specify the controlled dangerous substance involved in Reddin’s conspiracy charge or describe the alleged conduct supporting that count beyond announcing the charge.
Reddin was charged by summons complaint, processed and released pending a court appearance.
The case adds to recent prosecutions involving law-enforcement officers in Morris County. Shore News Network has previously reported on a suspended Dover police officer who pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material, as well as other cases investigated by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. SNN has also covered the county’s Narcotics Task Force investigations, including cases involving alleged drug distribution and conspiracy charges.