Somers Point police officer charged with witness tampering, domestic violence
A 49-year-old police officer in Atlantic County was indicted on charges of domestic violence and witness tampering, prosecutors said Wednesday.
A 49-year-old police officer in Atlantic County was indicted on charges of domestic violence and witness tampering, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Samuel E. Clerico, an officer with the Somers Point Police Department, was charged with aggravated assault, official misconduct, witness tampering, terroristic threats, and related offenses for alleged acts that led to his being arrested in December 2015 and again in September of last year.
On Dec. 15, 2015, he committed official misconduct when he used his police identification to gain entry into a hotel room occupied by a woman, prosecutors said. The next day, he allegedly fired his service handgun during an argument with the woman and also pointed the gun at her.
On Dec. 18, 2015, he committed another act of witness tampering involving a Somers Point police sergeant, prosecutors said.
In September, Clerico assaulted the woman and then made her recant a statement to police, prosecutors said.
Clerico, of Egg Harbor Township, has been suspended without pay.
- Robert Moran