FORMER LONG BRANCH SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH RUNNING EXTORTION SCHEME
" Bruno Lopes-Ferreira Charged In Loan Extortion Scheme In Connection With Illegal Loans To Members Of The Brazilian-American Community."
Monday, November 13, 2023, 6:30 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
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LONG BRANCH, NJ.- On Friday, November 10, 2023, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported a Former Special Law Enforcement Officer was Arrested and Charged with Financial Crimes for running a Loan Extortion Operation that Targeted Members of The Brazilian-American Community.
Bruno Lopes-Ferreira, 30, of Long Branch, New Jersey was Formally Charged with Second Degree Criminal Usary; Second Degree Engaging in The Business of Criminal Usury; and Third Degree Possession of Usurious Loan Records. Mr. Lopes-Ferreira was Processed on The Charges and Released on a Summons Complaint pending his First Appearance which has been Scheduled for Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in Monmouth County State Superior Court.
An investigation by Detective Daniel Cunha of The Long Branch Police Department determined that Mr. Lopes-Ferreira's Criminal Activities began. At the same time, Lopes-Ferreira was Employed as a Long Brach Special Law Enforcement Officer, which Lopes-Ferreira acted in The Capacity on a Provisional Basis to handle matters such as Traffic Direction and Crowd Control.
The investigation uncovered that Lopes-Ferreira operated an Illegal Money Money-Loaning operation, with Victims indicating that they took Loans from Lopes-Ferreira and were Charged Interest Rates of 10 Percent Monthly, 120 Percent Annually. The Rates far exceeded The 30-Percent Maximum Rate allowed by Law. Lopes-Ferreira also held as Collateral Victims' Jewelry, Passports, and Motor Vehicle Commission Documents, which he refused to return until the Principal and Interests on The Loans were Paid in Full.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Mr. Lopes-Ferreira's Activities is asked to contact Detective Daniel Cunha at (732) 222-1000.
"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: NOVEMBER 13, 2023: LAW, MONMOUTH: