TRENTON, NJ—A distressing case of police misconduct has culminated in the guilty plea of New Jersey State Police Trooper Nicolas J. Hogan, 28, from Gibbstown, New Jersey. The incident, which involved the assault of a handcuffed woman, occurred in the early hours of September 7, 2022, in Upper Deerfield Township, Cumberland County.
During a plea hearing on July 25, 2024, Hogan admitted to third-degree aggravated assault after striking the woman in the face with a metal flashlight while she was secured in the back of a police vehicle. The hearing, presided over by State Superior Court Judge Joseph M. Chiarello, revealed the troubling details of the altercation.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), led by Executive Director Drew Skinner, has barred Hogan from ever holding public office or employment again as part of a plea agreement. Furthermore, prosecutors will recommend probation for Hogan, potentially including up to 364 days in county jail, at the upcoming sentencing.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the breach of duty in Hogan’s actions, stating that while law enforcement officers frequently face challenging situations, they must exercise proper discretion in using force. The victim, initially stopped for appearing inebriated and walking in the middle of the road, became distressed upon detention, leading to the escalation that ended in physical assault.
