A New Jersey police officer was arrested Monday on suspicion of exposing his genitals to several young male drivers during late-night traffic stops.
Jason Miller, a 37-year-old officer with the Newton, N.J. Police Department, was charged with two counts of official misconduct and a count of lewdness, according to a statement from Chief Michael Richards and the Sussex County prosecutor’s office.
Miller was released on $35,000 bail and is suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case, according to the statement.
A probable cause affidavit obtained by The Smoking Gun shows that investigators had looked into five alleged encounters between Miller and men ages 18 to 26 that took place over a seven-month period.
A 22-year-old identified as A.B. sparked the investigation when he called the Newton Police Department with an anonymous tip alleging that an officer exposed himself during a traffic stop and made him feel “sexually harassed,” according to the affidavit.
A.B. then led investigators to others who had unusual encounters with Miller, the document states, including one man who A.B. said was asked “several disturbing questions and one was about his sexuality.” Authorities said in the affidavit that they had video evidence corroborating the men’s statements.
Miller did not issue any tickets during the five stops investigators reviewed, either, even though one driver had expired insurance and registration and another admitted to drinking alcohol before driving.
Miller’s lawyer told NJ.com that his client, a father of two and a member of the police force since 2001, “is an excellent officer who vehemently denies these allegations, as they are false and baseless.”
Image via Newton Auxiliary Police Department
Don Lemon probably has a question for the young men who complained.
“is an excellent officer who vehemently denies these allegations, as they are false and baseless.”
Why do attorneys do that? It’s tantamount to admitting guilt in most peoples mind.
Yep, five different guys happened to pick the same random cop to accuse of being a freak.
Probably just media-whoring really. It’s not terribly necessary, but it doesn’t really hurt anything. either.
To be honest, I have to admit to being a little curious as to why A.B. would know who the other 4 are and how he found out, such that he could lead investigators to the other 4.