ATLANTIC COUNTY —A Linwood man was indicted today in connection with the assault on an Atlantic City police officer in 2013, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
This morning, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted David Connor Castellani, 22, of the 1000 block of Woodland Boulevard, Linwood, NJ, on three (3) criminal counts in connection with the June 15, 2013 assault of an Atlantic City Police Officer while the officer was in the performance of his duties. Castellani was indicted for:
- Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer—a crime of the3rd degree, Resisting Arrest with threats or use of force or violence—a 3rd degree crime, and Inflicting Harm on a Law Enforcement Animal—a 4th degree crime.
On June 15, 2013 at approximately 2:40 a.m., Atlantic City police officers were called to Tropicana Casino for a report of violent and disorderly behavior. After arrival, David Castellani was issued a summons complaint for disorderly conduct, and released.
The State alleges that Castellani was on foot on Morris Avenue a short time later, when he threatened and used force against Atlantic City Police Officer Darrin Lorady, resisted the efforts of Lorady and additional police officers to effect his arrest, and purposely inflicted harm upon the Atlantic City police K-9 dog that was deployed to assist in that arrest.
Castellani was subdued, arrested, charged for the offenses, and later released on his own recognizance.
Today, the Grand Jury returned a true bill on all three counts.
Pursuant to an internal affairs complaint filed by David Connor Castellani, the Grand Jury was also presented evidence relating to the propriety of police use of force used during the arrest. The Grand Jury declined to indict the officers on any charges.
Due to the fact that an indictment has been returned against Mr. Castellani, the New Jersey Judiciary Rules of Professional Conduct—specifically RPC 3.6 and 3.8(f)— preclude this office from making any further comment on the factual circumstances which resulted in the grand jury’s decision to charge Mr. Castellani and to not charge any of the officers involved in the incident.
The only further comment that this agency can make at this time is that the grand jury heard all relevant evidence regarding this matter and received the proper instructions regarding the law governing the use of force by police officers.
A crime of the 3rd degree carries a potential sentence of 3 to 5 years of incarceration in New Jersey State prison. A 4th degree crime carries a potential prison sentence not to exceed 18 months.
First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton represents the State in the matter.
This charge is merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
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