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NJ Investigator Charged with Inappropriate Sexual Communications with Crime Victims
Guilherme H. Jamarino faces charges of official misconduct for allegedly engaging in inappropriate sexual communications with victims seeking support.
POINT PLEASANT, N.J. - Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced that Guilherme H. Jamarino, a former investigator for the NJ Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO), has been charged with second-degree official misconduct. Jamarino, 47, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, is accused of soliciting and engaging in inappropriate sexual communications with crime victims whose cases he was assigned to investigate. The VCCO, a division within the Department of Law and Public Safety, provides financial assistance to crime victims.
According to the charges, Jamarino used his position to exploit victims between December 9, 2021, and July 20, 2022. He allegedly sent inappropriate messages, photographs, and videos to at least four victims, shifting from professional communications to explicit and sexual content. Some victims reported feeling upset and confused, as Jamarino was their primary contact for their VCCO claims.
The allegations include sending explicit photos, such as images of himself shirtless and in a towel, and messages suggesting he visit victims' homes. Jamarino's actions reportedly made some victims feel unsafe, especially in cases where he displayed firearms, despite knowing that one of the victims was a survivor of gun violence.
Jamarino allegedly sent one victim a message that read: “send the address, and I’ll come get you” and “send pics, pretty lady. Full body pics if you have any.”
Jamarino's employment with the VCCO ended on July 25, 2022. The charges against him carry severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. A pre-indictment conference is scheduled for August 9, 2024, in the Superior Court in Essex County. The criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“Let me be clear – the defendant’s alleged conduct in this case is not reflective of the dedicated men and women of the VCCO,” added Attorney General Platkin. “These alleged actions are the antithesis of the compassionate, trauma-informed service that crime victims receive every day from the VCCO.”
“As alleged, the evidence revealed that this defendant exploited his position as a VCCO investigator to gain access to – and prey on – vulnerable and traumatized crime victims who, no doubt, were well aware of the sway he held over their ability to obtain the financial assistance they desperately needed to move forward with their lives,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA.
Anyone who believes they were victimized by Jamarino is urged to contact Detective Elizabeth Lansing of OPIA at 609-376-6701. Additionally, OPIA has a toll-free Tipline at 1-844-OPIA-TIP for reporting corruption, and the Attorney General's Office offers up to $25,000 for tips leading to a conviction involving public corruption. Further details can be found at http://nj.gov/oag/corruption/reward.html.
