Firefighter Pleads Guilty

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Latina Byrd, a 14-year veteran of the Newark fire department, pled guilty to hindering, a disorderly persons offense.

Byrd was responsible for managing a fund that firefighters pooled together to help pay for cable, supplies and other incidental expenses at the Engine 19 firehouse on Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark.

Appearing before Judge Peter Ryan today, Byrd, 46, of Newark admitted that she concealed and did not turn over the ledger for the fire house fund when she was ordered to do so. She admitted that at that point she knew she was being investigated for an alleged theft of funds of between $200-$500.

Assistant Prosecutor Seth Yockel, who handled the case, said the state will seek job forfeiture and restitution along with the mandatory fines and fees on the disorderly persons offense.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26.

“This is a very unfortunate situation of someone being entrusted to manage a relatively small amount of money and violating that trust,’’ said Yockel.