Three Paterson Police Officers Charged With Official Misconduct

THREE PATERSON POLICE OFFICERS WERE CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO A 2022 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT

     "Giuseppe Ciarla, Juan Cruz-Fernandez, & Jason Schmid Were Charged Yesterday With Official Misconduct, Conspiracy, & Hindering."

Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 2:00 P.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PATERSON, NJ.- Three Paterson Police Officers were Charged on Monday in connection to a December 10, 2022, Domestic Violence Incident that involved a New York City Police Department Captain and his Girlfriend. After being Charged all Three appeared for a First Appearance in Passaic County Central Judicial Processing Court.

     According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, on Monday, March 25, 2024, the Three Police Officers, Giuseppe Ciarla, 42, of Paterson, New Jersey, Juan Cruz-Fernandez, 29, of Paterson, New Jersey, and Jason Schmid, 34, of Vernon, New Jersey, were Arrested by Members of The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office Public Integrity Unit at The Prosecutor's Office in Totowa, New Jersey, and Formally Charged.

     All Three were Charged with Second Degree Official Misconduct; Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct; and Third Degree Hindering the Apprehension of Another. Additionally, Mr. Cruz-Fernandez was Charged with Third Degree Tampering with Public Records or Information.

     The Charges stem from an investigation that was conducted by The Passaic County Public Integrity Unit with assistance from The New York City Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit.  It has been alleged that The Three Officers while on Duty with The Paterson Police Department responded to a Domestic Violence Assault on December 10, 2022, shortly after 3:00 a.m.

     Upon arrival, The Three Officers encountered a Female Victim who had Visible Injuries to her Face. The Suspect, Hariton Marachilian, identified himself as a Captain with The New York City Police Department.

     During the ensuing interaction, The Paterson Police Officers failed to investigate how the woman obtained her injuries and did not treat or obtain treatment for her injuries. The Three Officers did not Search for or Collect any Evidence. Further, Marachilian was allowed to leave and Drive Away from The Scene by The Three Officers and Marachilian was Not Charged with any Domestic Violence Offenses.

     Following an Investigation by The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office Domestic Violence Unit, Marachilian was Arrested and Charged with Criminal Offenses for his Conduct that occurred on or about December 10, 2022. 

      The Paterson Police report described the incident as "Both parties said there was no dating relationship" and "There was no evidence of domestic violence," despite Marachilian stating multiple times the two were in a relationship covered by The Domestic Violence Act. 

     On February 20, 2024, a Grand Jury sitting in Passaic County, New Jersey returned an Indictment, Charging Marachilian with First Degree Kidnapping; Two Counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault; One Count of Third Degree Criminal Restraint; and One Count of Fourth Degree Criminal Coercion.

     The investigation into this matter remains active and ongoing. More information may become available once released by authorities.

"The Rules Of The Court Requires 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: MARCH 26, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, PASSAIC: