NJ Police Sgt. Andrew LaBruno, Ex-Dem Candidate Charged with Assaulting Child in Shocking Social Media Case
By Elena Vasquez, Crime Reporter
November 20, 2025
A longtime New Jersey police sergeant and recent Democratic candidate for state assembly faces a lifetime behind bars after authorities accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting a juvenile he met on social media. Andrew LaBruno, 44, was arrested Monday in a case that has stunned Bergen County, where he once served as mayor and championed community safety. Prosecutors detailed a calculated betrayal of trust, with the victim left incapacitated at home.
Veteran Officer and Politician’s Rapid Fall from Grace
Andrew LaBruno’s career in public service spanned two decades, blending law enforcement with local politics in New Jersey’s densely populated Hudson and Bergen counties. Hired by the Jersey City Police Department on December 1, 2005, he rose to the rank of sergeant, earning an annual salary exceeding $120,000 by 2025. As a former president of the Jersey City Police Superior Officers Association, LaBruno advocated for union-backed reforms and was a vocal supporter of Mayor Steven Fulop’s “Democrats for Change” gubernatorial slate.
His political ascent began in 2018 when voters in Dumont, a working-class borough of about 18,000, elected him to the Borough Council. By 2020, he had become mayor, serving through 2023 and focusing on youth programs—he even coached sports through the Dumont Recreation Department. LaBruno, a married father of two, positioned himself as a family man committed to “his family, town, and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement,” according to a statement from his attorney following the charges.
Just weeks ago, on November 5, 2025, LaBruno and running mate Donna Abene narrowly lost a bid for the New Jersey State Assembly in the 39th District, falling short by a slim margin after winning the June primary with strong backing from police and fire unions. The defeat marked the end of his immediate political ambitions, but few could have foreseen the scandal that would eclipse his legacy.
The Alleged Assault: A Predatory Encounter Unraveled
The charges stem from events on November 17, 2025, in Englewood, a diverse suburb in Bergen County known for its quiet residential streets. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, LaBruno, a stranger to the victim, initiated contact with the juvenile via an unnamed social media application. The two exchanged messages, leading LaBruno to arrange a meeting at the child’s home while the minor was alone.
Upon arrival, prosecutors allege, LaBruno sprayed an unknown substance—described in court documents as a “knock-out spray”—onto his hand and pressed it over the victim’s mouth and nose. This act, they claim, rendered the juvenile “physically helpless and mentally incapacitated,” causing dizziness and cognitive impairment. In this vulnerable state, LaBruno is accused of carrying out a sexual assault, forcing the child to perform sex acts.
Englewood police responded to a 911 call from the residence that afternoon, finding the victim in distress. A joint investigation by local officers and the prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit swiftly identified LaBruno as the suspect. Authorities seized two electronic devices from him, uncovering physical evidence both at the scene and during a search of his person. The affidavit of probable cause, reviewed by NJ Advance Media, paints a picture of premeditation, noting LaBruno’s awareness of the child’s impaired condition.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella emphasized the gravity in a statement: “This is a stranger assault on a vulnerable juvenile, and our office is committed to pursuing justice.” The victim’s age has not been disclosed to protect their privacy, but the charges classify the incident as involving a minor under New Jersey law.
Court Appearance: Not Guilty Plea Amid Mounting Evidence
LaBruno surrendered to authorities on November 17 and was booked into the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, where he awaited an initial detention hearing. On Tuesday, November 18, he entered a not guilty plea in Bergen County Superior Court before Judge James X. Sogliuzzo. His attorney, Matthew T. Nicodemo, requested release on bail, arguing LaBruno posed no flight risk and had deep community ties. Prosecutors countered with a push for pretrial detention, citing the severity of the first-degree charges and LaBruno’s position of authority as an aggravating factor.
The judge ordered LaBruno held pending a full hearing scheduled for later this week, with conditions including no contact with minors if released. As of Wednesday, he remained in custody, his $250,000 bail unmet. The case file, accessible via public court records, includes forensic details from the seized devices, though specifics remain sealed to safeguard the investigation.
In a brief statement outside court, Nicodemo defended his client: “Andrew is presumed innocent and will fight these allegations vigorously. This is a man who has dedicated his life to protecting others.” No motive beyond the predatory contact has been cited, but experts note such cases often involve grooming via online platforms, a rising concern in child safety reports.
Immediate Repercussions: Suspension and Community Backlash
The Jersey City Police Department acted decisively, suspending LaBruno without pay effective immediately upon his arrest, as confirmed by Public Safety Director James Crecco. “The actions alleged are antithetical to our values and the oath we swear to uphold,” Crecco said in a release. The department has launched an internal affairs probe, standard protocol for officer-involved criminal matters, which could lead to termination regardless of the criminal outcome.
In Dumont, where LaBruno’s mayoral tenure included initiatives like park renovations and anti-drug campaigns, reactions have been mixed but predominantly one of betrayal. “He was the guy pushing for safer streets for our kids—now this?” said resident Maria Gonzalez, a mother of three, in an interview with NorthJersey.com. Local Democratic leaders, including Fulop, distanced themselves swiftly, with the mayor posting on X: “These allegations are horrifying. No one is above the law, especially not those sworn to protect us.”
Social media amplified the shock, with posts from accounts like @rooftopdrew sharing ABC7 coverage and drawing comments decrying the “hypocrisy” of a child advocate facing such charges. A GoFundMe for LaBruno’s legal defense, started by supporters, was taken down within hours amid backlash. Broader implications ripple through youth sports circles, where his coaching role is under review by Dumont Recreation officials.
- Key Facts on the Charges:
- Date of Incident: November 17, 2025
- Location: Juvenile’s residence in Englewood, NJ
- Specific Allegations: Aggravated sexual assault (1st degree), sexual assault (2nd degree), endangering welfare of a child (3rd degree)
- Victim Profile: Juvenile met via social media; details withheld
- Evidence Seized: Two electronic devices; physical traces from scene and suspect
- Potential Penalties: Up to life in prison for aggravated sexual assault under NJ law
- Professional Timeline:
- 2005: Joined Jersey City PD
- 2018: Elected to Dumont Borough Council
- 2020–2023: Served as Dumont Mayor
- November 2025: Lost Assembly race; arrested days later
Broader Context: A Disturbing Trend in Online Predation
This case underscores a national epidemic of online child exploitation, with the FBI reporting over 29 million tips to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 2024 alone—a 12% increase from the prior year. In New Jersey, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force handled 1,500 investigations last year, many involving social media grooming. Experts like Dr. Sarah Jenkins, a child psychologist at Rutgers University, link such incidents to the anonymity of apps, noting that 1 in 7 children face unwanted online solicitations annually, per a 2025 Thorn survey.
LaBruno’s dual role as cop and politician amplifies the scrutiny, echoing cases like the 2023 arrest of a Pennsylvania trooper for similar offenses. Advocacy groups, including the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, have called for mandatory digital forensics training in police academies. State Sen. Nellie Pou, whose district neighbors the 39th, vowed legislative review: “We must close loopholes that let predators hide behind badges.”
As the investigation continues, questions linger about prior red flags—none have surfaced publicly, but internal PD reviews may reveal more. For now, the focus remains on victim support, with Bergen County offering counseling through its Victim Witness Services Unit.
The arrest of Sgt. Andrew LaBruno shatters the facade of a dedicated public servant, exposing the profound harm inflicted on a vulnerable child in a calculated betrayal. As his trial unfolds, this case demands accountability not just for one man, but for systemic safeguards against online dangers. In a state that prides itself on community trust, rebuilding it will require unflinching action and unwavering support for survivors.