Aberdeen Police Officer Charged

AN ABERDEEN POLICE OFFICER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT IN CONNECTION WITH TAMPERING WITH A DRUG TEST

     " Philip M. Santiago Of Keyport, New Jersey, Charged With Official Misconduct & Tampering With Physical Evidence."

September 3, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,

FREEHOLD, NJ.- On Wednesday, September 1, 2021 Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced that based upon an investigation, an Aberdeen Police Officer Philip M. Santiago, 34, of Keyport, New Jersey has been arrested and charged with Two Counts of Second Degree Official Misconduct and related offenses.

     Mr. Santiago has been additionally Charged with Second Degree Engaging in Pattern of Official Misconduct and Two Counts of Fourth Degree Tampering with Physical Evidence.

     An investigation conducted by The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office uncovered that in January, 2021, Mr. Santiago intentionally tampered and altered a standard Law Enforcement Drug Test, which he  was ordered to take, the results of Mr. Santiago's actions made the test unable to be processed.

     The ensuing investigation determined that while on duty in May, 2021, Santiago intentionally deleted a cell phone video from a suspect that was taken into custody. The video depicted interactions between the suspect and Members of The Aberdeen Police Department, leading up to his arrest.

     Mr. Santiago surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, pending his first appearance in Monmouth County State Superior Court.

     The sentencing exposure, if convicted on Second Degree Official Misconduct is Five to Ten Years in New Jersey State Prison, with a Mandatory Minimum of Five Years term of service before parole eligibility, on Fourth Degree Tampering with Evidence it is up to Eighteen Months in New Jersey State Prison.

     " The charges being announced today go beyond the mere breaking of laws, they constitute clear and repeated violations of the solemn oath this Officer swore to uphold the interests of justice and serve good," Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. " Such conduct is patently and unequivocally unacceptable among our ranks in Law Enforcement, and does not represent the majority who serve with honor and integrity."

" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Contained In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."

FILED UNDER SEPTEMBER 3, 2021: LAW, MONMOUTH: