Ex-South Jersey Police Chief Goes To Prison For Lying To FBI

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The former Bordentown Police Chief who was accused of violating the rights of an 18-year-old man during an arrest in 2016 has been sentenced to two years, four months in prison for lying to federal investigators about the incident, authorities announced on Thursday.

Frank M. Nucera Jr., 64, of Bordentown, is also still awaiting retrial on charges of hate crime assault and deprivation of civil rights under color of law after his first case ended in a mistrial, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

He will not begin serving his sentence until the other counts are resolved, the judge ruled. In addition to the prison term, Nucera will be subject to two years of supervised release.

Nucera was previously convicted of one count of making false statements to FBI agents who were interviewing him about the arrest. Read more here: NJ Police Chief Lied To FBI, Committed Other Alleged Crimes: Feds

The investigation stemmed from an incident on Sept. 1, 2016, in which police responded to the Bordentown Ramada for a report of two people, an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl, who wouldn't leave.

Both initially resisted arrest but were in the process of being arrested when Nucera arrived. After the man was handcuffed and was being escorted from the hotel by police, Nucera came up from behind and slammed his head into a metal doorjamb, authorities allege. Read more here: Ex NJ Police Chief Charged With Hate Crime For Assault Against Teen

Nucera then told federal investigators he hadn't touched the suspects during the arrest or detention, according to authorities. Read more here: Ex NJ Police Chief Lied To Cover Up Hate Crime: Authorities

The FBI previously investigated Nucera in 2007, according to the Trentonian. No charges came as a result of that investigation, and it wasn't clear what information prompted the investigation. Read more here: Attorney Calls Hate Crime Case Against Ex-Chief 'Witch Hunt'

Nucera served as Bordentown Police Chief and Township Administrator before he abruptly retired in 2016. His sudden resignation came after the Attorney General's Office was told by federal authorities that he was under investigation, according to the Courier Post. He made $151,418.31 per year, and has an annual pension of $105,992.76, according to nj.com. He receives $8,832.73 per month.