Red Bank police officer indicted for misconduct
On Oct. 15, a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Red Bank Police Officer Steven Adams with two counts of seconddegree official misconduct, and one count each of second-degree aggravate assault and fourth-degree falsifying records, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred shortly after the conclusion of the annual fireworks display in Red Bank during the early morning hours of July 4, 2006.

An investigation, which was conducted by the Prosecutor's Office in conjunction with the Internal Affairs Unit of the Red Bank Police Department revealed that Jonathan Wilson, 22 of Middletown, arrived in Red Bank during the evening of July 3, and along with some friends watched the fireworks display from a local tavern. Shortly after the fireworks ended, Wilson was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct. Adams was not the arresting officer, but Wilson was turned over to Adams for transportation to police headquarters.

After being transported in a patrol car, Wilson sustained injuries while in Adams' custody in the parking lot at Red Bank police headquarters. The investigation also revealed that Adams misrepresented certain facts in his official police report regarding what transpired in the parking lot while removing Wilson from the police car.

Superior Court Judge Ira E. Kreizman ordered that Adams be released on his own recognizance. The next proceeding will be the arraignment, which is the formal presentation of the indictment to the defendant.

If convicted of official misconduct, Adams faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 10 years on each count. If convicted of aggravated assault, Adams faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 10 years. The crime of aggravated assault is subject to the No Early Release Act, which means that if convicted, Adams would be required to serve 85 percent of any prison sentence imposed before he could be released on parole. If convicted of falsifying records, Adams faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 18 months.

Adams is currently employed as a police officer with the Red Bank Police Department. He was on duty at the time of the incident. He has been suspended without pay effective Oct. 15.

"The only thing I'm permitted to comment about is his employment status, which is suspended without pay," said Red Bank Police Capt. Stephen McCarthy. "[Adams] started with the department in January 2003 and started with the patrol division."

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and state law.

The case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Gregory J. Schweers. Adams is represented by Mitchell J. Ansell of Ocean Township.

- Melissa Karsh