Former NJ Fire Chief and Police Officer Charged With Sexual Contact and Official Misconduct

New Jersey prosecutors say an OPIA investigation uncovered multiple allegations of non‑consensual sexual contact involving firefighters who viewed the accused as a mentor.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Former Silverton Volunteer Fire Company Chief and retired Island Heights police officer Robert M. Sinnott, Jr. has been charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of official misconduct following a state investigation into allegations of non‑consensual acts involving subordinate firefighters.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced the charges on December 6, stating that the complaint‑warrant follows a months‑long inquiry into conduct alleged to have taken place in 2022 and 2023. Sinnott, formerly of Toms River and now living in Cape Coral, Florida, was taken into custody on December 4 by the Cape Coral Police SWAT Team with support from OPIA. He is being held in the Lee County Jail pending extradition to New Jersey.

The Investigation

According to the criminal complaint, Sinnott allegedly used his role within the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company to create situations where he could isolate other firefighters—often individuals who reported viewing him as a mentor and role model. Investigators say that these incidents occurred at his Toms River residence, at the firehouse, and at other locations.

The state alleges that Sinnott restrained victims, including by handcuffing them under the pretext of training exercises, before forcing non‑consensual sexual contact. Some victims reported that Sinnott photographed them while restrained.

OPIA executed search warrants on Sinnott’s Florida home, vehicle, and person following his arrest. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Diana Bibb of the OPIA Corruption Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Deputy Chief Laura Croce, Bureau Director Jeffrey J. Manis, and OPIA Director Thomas Eicher.

Penalties

A second‑degree official misconduct conviction carries a sentence of five to ten years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Fourth‑degree criminal sexual contact charges carry a penalty of up to 18 months in prison and fines reaching $10,000.

OPIA is encouraging anyone with information relevant to Sinnott’s conduct to contact Detective Brandon Mastropasqua at 609‑960‑3768 or Detective Malikah Daniels at 856‑414‑8855. The office also maintains a toll‑free corruption tip line at 1‑844‑OPIA‑TIP and administers an Anti‑Corruption Reward Program that offers up to $25,000 for tips leading to conviction. Details are available at: http://nj.gov/oag/corruption/reward.html.

State officials emphasized that all charges are accusations and that Sinnott is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.