Robert M. Sinnott, Jr., 53, a former chief of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company in Toms River and retired Island Heights police officer, was previously charged by complaint with four counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and one count of second-degree official misconduct.  OPIA’s ongoing investigation yielded evidence of additional criminal conduct.

Accordingly, on September 2, 2026, a state grand jury voted to indict Sinnott on not only the earlier charges from the complaint but also new counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, second-degree official misconduct, and second-degree pattern of official misconduct. The indictment includes a total of nine criminal counts relating to 11 victims of Sinnott’s alleged criminal acts.

“The defendant held positions of trust and power within the communities he served and among his coworkers and subordinates in government. But, as alleged in the indictment, he abused that trust again and again,” said Attorney General Davenport. “It is inexcusable for public officials to so betray the people they serve and the people they lead. The State is committed to fighting for justice for these victims.”

As set forth in publicly filed documents in the case:

An OPIA Corruption Bureau investigation initially revealed that Sinnott, who served in various supervisory roles at the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, had forced multiple other firefighters, who alleged they saw Sinnott as a role model, into acts of non-consensual sexual contact. The pattern of official misconduct count in the indictment also alleges numerous instances of similar criminal conduct allegedly committed by Sinnott while he was acting as a police officer for the Island Heights Police Department.

It is alleged that over the course of many years, Sinnott created situations where he would be alone with the victims at various locations, including at his residence in Toms River and the firehouse. He would allegedly handcuff victims under the false pretense of needing their assistance with a police-related training, or he would otherwise physically restrain them, before forcing sexual contact upon them against their will.

On December 4, 2025, Sinnott was arrested in Florida by the Cape Coral Police SWAT Team with assistance from OPIA. Search warrants were executed on his residence, person, and vehicle. He was subsequently extradited to New Jersey to face prosecution.

If you believe you have additional information about Sinnott’s conduct, please contact OPIA’s toll-free tip line for reporting corruption, 1-844-674-2847, or directly contact Detective Brandon Mastropasqua at 609-960-3768.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in New Jersey state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Fourth-degree offenses could lead to up to 18 months in New Jersey state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Deputy Attorneys General Diana Bibb and Laura Croce are prosecuting the case for the OPIA Corruption Bureau.

Defense counsel:

Mitchell J. Ansell, Esq., Ocean Township, New Jersey