Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an indictment has been returned by an Essex County Grand Jury charging defendant Johnathan Taylor, 41, of Plainfield with the second degree conspiracy, aggravated arson and insurance fraud. These charges stem from an alleged incident which occurred in Newark in March of 2012.
On March 1, 2012 the defendant’s 2005 Toyota Sequoia automobile was found burning on Wainwright Street in Newark. It is alleged that the defendant had the vehicle burned and then made material misrepresentations in an effort to collect insurance proceeds from the New Jersey Skylands Insurance Company.
The defendant is employed as a police officer by the City of Newark. He joined the force in December of 1996.
If convicted on these charges, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison on each charge.
These charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until he either pleads guilty or is found guilty in a court of law.
