Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Stafford Township Chief of Police Thomas Dellane announced that on May 25, 2022, Andrew Wahlberg, 50, of the Manahawkin section of Stafford Township, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), relative to an incident that occurred in Manahawkin on May 18, 2022.
An investigation by the Stafford Township Police Department determined that on May 18, 2022, Wahlberg – a Sergeant with the Beach Haven Police Department – left a loaded Beretta 9mm handgun unsecured and accessible to juveniles. Wahlberg was served with the charge against him on a summons, pending a first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Dellane would like to acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Internal Affairs Unit as well as the Stafford Township Police Department for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).