Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Honorable Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C., sentenced former Newark Police Officer Hugo Fierro, 46, of Newark, to 5 years in New Jersey state prison for assaulting a 44-year-old man with his weapon in front of Tony’s Marisqueira Bar and Restaurant in Newark in 2011
On May 8, 2011, Fierro, an 11-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, approached the victim on the street in front of the Bloomfield Avenue restaurant, took out his police issued handgun and struck the victim in the head with it. The incident was captured on video. Fierro did not arrest the victim for a crime nor did he file a police report detailing the incident.
On Feb. 21, a jury convicted Fierro of second degree official misconduct, third degree assault with a deadly weapon and simple assault. Former Assistant Prosecutor Sahil Kabse tried the case.
Today Judge Ryan sentenced Fierro to five years without possibility of parole citing three aggravating factors: the gravity of the crime, the risk the defendant will commit another offense and the need to deter others from similar criminal acts.
“This sentence appropriately sends a message to the victim and to our communities that no one—not even police officers—are exempt from rigorous prosecution when they violate the public’s trust,” said Assistant Prosecutor Peter Polidoro who handled the sentencing.
