Manville, New Jersey Police Chief Charged

SUSPENDED MANVILLE POLICE CHIEF CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE SEX CRIMES AND OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT

     " Thomas Herbst Was Charged Wednesday With Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Contact, & Official Misconduct Charges."

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 8:05 A.M. ET. By George Petruska: Englebrook Independent News,

MANVILLE, NJ.- New Jersey State Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that following an investigation into allegations made by Manville Police Department Employees. Suspended Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst, 55, of Bridgewater, New Jersey was Arrested and Charged on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, for engaging in a Years-Long Pattern of Predatory Sexual Behavior Targeting Multiple Women.

     Mr. Herbst, who has worked for The Manville Police Department, since 1991 was Formally Charged yesterday morning with Two Counts of Sexual Assault; Two Counts of Official Misconduct; One Count of Engaging in a Pattern of Official Misconduct; and One Count of Criminal Sexual Conduct.

     " The Defendant, in this case, is accused of using his position of power, authority, and leadership, to force subordinates to engage in sexual acts against their will, I can think of no greater betrayal to the badge than to use one's power to harm those you are supposed to protect," said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. " Police Officers swear an oath to protect the public, but their Chiefs are expected to protect all those in their charge, to keep safe not only the public but also to insure the safety of the members of their own department. The alleged conduct of this defendant hurt his victims in unimaginable ways. We intend to hold the defendant accountable for the harm he did to the victims in this case. Letting such conduct go unchecked would be a miscarriage of justice for these women, but also for every female officer and public employee who feels unsafe in an environment where predatory sexual misconduct is normalized or condoned." 

     Herbst is accused of Inappropriate Sexual Behavior toward at least Three Women, according to the investigation, The Chief regularly Groped, Exposed Himself to, Sexually Harassed, and Sexually Assaulted an employee of The Police Department who reported directly to him, using coercion, and doing so without the victim's permission, between 2008 and 2021. The attacks often happened when he and the victim were on duty, and many of the attacks took place in various locations in Police headquarters.

     In one of the earlier Attacks, Herbst called the victim into his office and told her he would allow her to leave work early. He then stood next to the chair she was sitting, in a way that prevented her from getting out, he then removed his penis from his pants, Masturbated, and Ejaculated onto her hair and clothing. Herbst then told her he was sorry and that she could go home.

     According to the Charging Document that was Unsealed on Wednesday, acts like the initial attack occurred repeatedly, but eventually escalated to acts of Assault by Penetration. 

     Investigators say that Herbst at one point ordered the one victim to start wearing skirts to work and facilitate and escalate the Assaults. On occasion, Herbst arranged to meet her at a motel and Assault her, and at one point when she resisted, he accused her of disobeying orders.

     The Chief also allegedly attacked the victim in her own home, by entering through the backdoor of her home uninvited and Sexually Assaulting the victim.

     According to the investigation, Herbst also solicited Sexual Favors from the wife of one of his Officers in return for the Officer receiving favorable decisions and opportunities. In one instance Herbst texted the Officer and Demanded Oral Sex from the Officer's Wife in order to receive a Promotion.

     Evidence additionally revealed that Herbst went to the newly purchased home of another victim, who had previously been his employee, and while touring the home Sexually Assaulted Her.

" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined 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 APRIL 13, 2023: LAW, SOMERSET: