HOWELL – After being caught for allegedly sending sexually suggestive texts, a Neptune City police officer is now facing charges and could possibly lose his job.
Damien Broschart, 29, of Howell had arrested an 18-year-old victim who later came forward stating Broschart contacted her hours after arresting her.
According to police, Broschart was conducting a motor vehicle stop of the female victim in early October. This led to Broschart arresting the victim on drug charges and several moving violations.
After being processed and released, the victim was transported back to her vehicle by Broschart. During that time he deactivated his body worn camera and mobile video recorder and then asked the victim for her telephone number.
While on duty, Broschart then sent the victim a text message, followed by additional sexual text messages. Messages included Broschart saying the victim was “cute” and he would like to “pay [her] back” for everything. After that message, he proceeded to send the victim sexually explicit messages and attempted to meet with her after his shift ended.
The victim refused, abruptly ended the communications and proceeded to block Broschart’s phone number. This led to Broschart calling the victim three times from the Neptune City Police Department, leaving a message asking her to call back. She did not answer or return any of his calls.
Broschart was charged with fourth degree Cyber Harassment and third degree Hindering Apprehension of Oneself following a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Neptune City Police Department. Broschart is a five-year veteran law enforcement officer who is currently suspended without pay from his post at the Neptune City Police Department.
“Once the Neptune City Police Department learned of the allegations against Broschart, we acted immediately by launching an internal affairs investigation and contacting the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. This type of behavior will not be tolerated, and has no place within the Neptune City Police Department, and the entire law enforcement community. Although Broschart’s actions were completely unacceptable, this incident does not reflect on the great work done on a daily basis by the remaining officers of the Neptune City Police Department,” said Neptune City Police Chief Matthew J. Quagliato.
If convicted of Hindering, Broschart faces a sentence of three to five years in a New Jersey state prison, and up to 18 months in state prison if convicted of Cyber Harassment.
