Post by Shuftin on Aug 20, 2006 0:00:54 GMT -5
August 9th, 2006
Two NJ Transit police officers were charged with official misconduct Monday after a woman reported having sex with them in their patrol car while they were on duty.
New Jersey Transit police say two of their own men were partners in crime.
The officers, Gabriel Mantilla, 36, of Jersey City, and Lennard Ryner, 26, of West Haverstraw, N.Y., are charged with driving a woman to a secluded area and sexually assaulting her in the back of their patrol car.
The woman claimed in a report on Monday that the officers approached her as she left the path train at exchange place last June. She claims she had been drinking that night, got into the officers' car and was drived to a secluded spot. This is where the alleged sexual incident took place.
The officers say she agreed to accompany them and the sex was consensual.
Both men are free on $75,000 bail and have been suspended without pay.
They also could be fired for official misconduct.
NJ Transit issued a statement on Monday involving the charges:
These are despicable actions that have been alleged that tarnish the badge of every officer who takes an oath to protect and serve our customers and the citizens of New Jersey.
We have been fully cooperating with and supporting the continuing investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office of police officers Gabriel Mantilla and Lennard Ryner.
Upon being charged, NJ Transit immediately suspended both officers without pay. In addition, NJ TRANSIT Police Department administrative charges - including conduct unbecoming of an officer and criminal conduct - have been brought against the officers. These charges can result in termination.
Officer Mantilla has been with the NJ TRANSIT Police Department for six-and-a-half years, and Officer Ryner has been with the department for more than two-and-a-half years.
Two NJ Transit police officers were charged with official misconduct Monday after a woman reported having sex with them in their patrol car while they were on duty.
New Jersey Transit police say two of their own men were partners in crime.
The officers, Gabriel Mantilla, 36, of Jersey City, and Lennard Ryner, 26, of West Haverstraw, N.Y., are charged with driving a woman to a secluded area and sexually assaulting her in the back of their patrol car.
The woman claimed in a report on Monday that the officers approached her as she left the path train at exchange place last June. She claims she had been drinking that night, got into the officers' car and was drived to a secluded spot. This is where the alleged sexual incident took place.
The officers say she agreed to accompany them and the sex was consensual.
Both men are free on $75,000 bail and have been suspended without pay.
They also could be fired for official misconduct.
NJ Transit issued a statement on Monday involving the charges:
These are despicable actions that have been alleged that tarnish the badge of every officer who takes an oath to protect and serve our customers and the citizens of New Jersey.
We have been fully cooperating with and supporting the continuing investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office of police officers Gabriel Mantilla and Lennard Ryner.
Upon being charged, NJ Transit immediately suspended both officers without pay. In addition, NJ TRANSIT Police Department administrative charges - including conduct unbecoming of an officer and criminal conduct - have been brought against the officers. These charges can result in termination.
Officer Mantilla has been with the NJ TRANSIT Police Department for six-and-a-half years, and Officer Ryner has been with the department for more than two-and-a-half years.
