Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 30, 2021, Anthony Chieffo, 25, of Brick Township, and Alexander Santos, 22, also of Brick Township, were each charged with Retaliation Against a Witness in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5b and three counts of Terroristic Threats in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3a.
On March 29, 2021, a Brick Township Police Detective reported receiving threatening phone calls and text messages on his police department-issued cellular phone; the threats were directed at the Detective and members of his family. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit revealed that the threatening calls and text messages had originated from Chieffo’s cell phone.
On March 30, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit performed a motor vehicle stop in Brick Township on a vehicle being operated by Santos, in which Chieffo was a passenger. Santos and Chieffo were taken into custody and transported to Brick Township Police Headquarters where they were charged accordingly. Both defendants are currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending their respective detention hearings.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, and Brick Township Police Department for their cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.
“Threats against law enforcement will not be tolerated,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
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.