Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced today that a New Jersey State Police trooper from Gloucester County has pleaded guilty to punching a handcuffed woman in the face while holding a metal flashlight. The incident occurred while the victim was in the backseat of a police vehicle awaiting medical evaluation.

During a plea hearing on July 25, 2024, Nicolas J. Hogan, 28, of Gibbstown, New Jersey, admitted to one count of third-degree aggravated assault. The hearing took place before state Superior Court Judge Joseph M. Chiarello in Cumberland County.

Under the terms of a plea agreement with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), Hogan is banned for life from holding public office or public employment. Prosecutors will recommend that Hogan serve probation conditioned on up to 364 days in county jail during an upcoming sentencing hearing.

“Law enforcement officers face difficult circumstances and put their lives on the line every day. But they must exercise discretion when they need to use force,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The defendant in this case inexcusably crossed the line, and he has been held accountable for his conduct.”

Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA, stated: “Law enforcement officers often interact with people having the worst day of their lives. But they cannot allow themselves to be provoked into using force that does not serve a legitimate public safety interest. When officers unnecessarily and illegally harm a member of the public, they deteriorate the public’s fragile trust and they will face consequences.”

Documents filed in the case reveal that Hogan assaulted the victim on September 7, 2022, in Upper Deerfield Township while waiting for emergency medical personnel to evaluate her condition.

NJSP troopers responded to a report of trespassing at an Upper Deerfield Township residence around 1:30 a.m., where they encountered an intoxicated woman walking in the middle of the road who matched the caller's description.

After determining she needed medical evaluation, troopers detained her despite her protests and placed her handcuffed in a police vehicle where she repeatedly asked for tissue but received none. Body-worn camera footage shows fluid and mucus on her face as she wept.

At one point, she spat toward a trooper standing near an open rear passenger door. Trooper Hogan warned her against spitting again but punched her after she spat once more towards him while holding a metal flashlight.

Deputy Attorneys General Brian Uzdavinis and Niccole Sandora prosecuted under OPIA supervision by Deputy Chief Marian Galietta, Bureau Chief Jeffrey J. Manis, and Executive Director Skinner.

Defense counsel for Hogan is Anthony Pope from Newark, New Jersey.

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