Former cop Robert Sinnott Jr, 53, has been accused of handcuffing victims “under the false pretense of needing their assistance with police-related training” before assaulting them
A retired police officer has been accused of assaulting 11 firefighters and using a device to “hog tie” one of his alleged male victims.
Robert Sinnott Jr, 53, has been hit with numerous charges including new counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, second-degree official misconduct, and second-degree pattern of official misconduct.
Sinnott -a former officer in the New Jersey police department who moonlighted as a volunteer fire chief- was arrested in December at his home in Cape Coral, Florida, home and extradited back to New Jersey.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said he allegedly “created situations where he would be alone” with his alleged victims at various locations such as the firehouse and his own home.
Davenport’s office stated: “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.”
During one alleged incident in August 2022, Sinnott is accused of handcuffing one of his fire department colleagues and putting him in a headlock – according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by NJ.com.
Sinnott is accused of placing his groin on the firefighter’s hands while thrusting and grunting – and then snapping several pics of the attack with a digital camera, the filings claim.
The 53-year-old has also been accused of having sex with a male fire fighter while using a mechanical device to “hog tie” and restrain the man.
Davenport’s office said in a statement: “The defendant held positions of trust and power within the communities he served and among his co-workers and subordinates in government. But, as alleged in the indictment, he abused that trust again and again.”
According to court filings Sinnott’s alleged victims initially viewed him as a “role model, mentor, and father figure” due to his position.
The arrest affidavit added: “Due to Sinnott’s positive reputation in the community, they feared personal and professional harassment and retaliation if they reported these incidents.”
Sinnott – former chief of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company in Toms River – has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Michael Ansell, said he “intends to fight this case with every ounce of his strength.”