MEDIA RELEASE – APRIL 19, 2013
HIGH BRIDGE MAN CHARGED WITH IMPERSONATING POLICE OFFICER
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III and High Bridge Police Chief Brett Bartman announce the arrest of James Black, age 41, of High Bridge, New Jersey. Mr. Black was charged on April 15, 2013 with Impersonating a Police Officer, Impersonating a Public Servant, Obstructing the Administration of Law, and Harassment.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the High Bridge Police Department began investigating this case after a number of telephone calls were made to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency Hotline. The caller, later identified as James Black, stated that there were children being neglected and sexually abused by a family in Hunterdon County.
Detectives investigating the tips later determined the information to be false. Evidence obtained by detectives confirmed that these calls were placed by Mr. Black. It is alleged that James Black identified himself as a high ranking member of the High Bridge Police Department, as well as a school principal when he made these calls.
According to Prosecutor Kearns, “The Division of Child Protection and Permanency Hotline (1-877-NJABUSE) is intended for reporting the abuse and neglect of children. The misuse and abuse of this important resource will not be tolerated. Answering false allegations takes time and resources away from police and DCP&P personnel who are investigating true incidents of neglect and abuse.”
The Honorable Eric Perkins, J.M.C. set at $5,000 full. Mr. Black posted bail and was released awaiting a first appearance in court.
Anyone with information about this incident can submit anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com, or text messaging “HCTIPS” plus your tip message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters can also download the free mobile app “Tipsubmit” and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.
James Black
The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.
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