NJ.com – by Craig McCarthyA South Jersey cop was indicted today on charges that he sicced his police dog on a 58-year-old woman while she was in custody, according to authorities.
Justin M. Cherry, of the Tuckerton Police Department, was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of official misconduct and falsifying police reports among other charges, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said in a release.
According to the indictment, Cherry and another officer responded to a Tuckerton residence on Jan. 29, 2014, where Wendy Tucker, of Barnegat, was reported as an unwelcome guest. Tucker agreed to leave, and take the bus home since her license was suspended.
Shortly after, according to the prosecutor’s office, Cherry spotted Tucker driving and attempted to stop her car, but she refused. Neighboring authorities were alerted and Tucker was pulled over in Barnegat Township, it alleges.
The indictment alleges Cherry arrived where Tucker’s car was stopped by Barnegat police and let his K-9 partner loose during her arrest.
Cherry then falsified police reports and the affidavit to coverup the incident, the prosecutor’s office said.
Tucker was originally charged with driving with a suspended license and eluding. The eluding charge has been dismissed.
Cherry is currently suspended without pay. He is currently free on $15,000 after being charged with official misconduct and aggravated assault in April of 2014.
Cherry was one of two Tuckerton police officers who shot and killed a man wielding a meat cleaver during a domestic dispute at a home in September 2011.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Just our daily reminder people are hired as cops in this country because they’re sadistic freaks, and we need to rid ourselves of these psychopaths real soon.