TRENTON, N.J. — A former New Jersey Department of Corrections lieutenant has been indicted on charges he stole state-owned ammunition and sold it for personal profit over several years, state officials announced.
A state grand jury returned a 24-count indictment against Timothy Morris, 57, of Bayville, who served for about 18 years as the department’s range master overseeing its firing ranges, according to Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
Prosecutors allege that from 2019 through 2025, Morris used his position to order excess ammunition for the Department of Corrections and then sold it on the secondary market to multiple buyers in exchange for cash and checks made directly to him.
Authorities say the alleged scheme generated more than $400,000 in personal profit.
“This defendant was a law enforcement officer entrusted with the power to use taxpayer resources to run firing ranges for nearly two decades. As alleged in the indictment, he exploited that position of public trust for his own personal benefit,” said Attorney General Davenport. “This type of behavior not only depletes public funds, but it also erodes the public’s trust in government. Our office will always work to ensure that people who hold positions of public trust take that privilege and responsibility seriously and we would hold them accountable when they do not.”
According to investigators, Morris managed ammunition inventories for multiple state training facilities, including ranges in Annandale in Hunterdon County (Northern Region), Browns Mills in Burlington County (Central Region), Maurice River in Cumberland County (Southern Region), and the Corrections Staff Training Academy in Sea Girt in Monmouth County, as well as the ammunition at Special Operations Group Headquarters in Trenton.
The indictment alleges Morris sold excess ammunition and stored some of the proceeds in cash. Prosecutors say authorities recovered $60,000 in $100 bills that were vacuum-sealed in bundles of $10,000, believed to be proceeds from the alleged sales.
Investigators also allege Morris attempted to conceal the source of the funds through financial transactions structured to avoid federal reporting requirements.
“Our investigation found that, for years, this defendant allegedly unlawfully padded his paycheck at the taxpayers’ expense,” said Eric L. Gibson, Executive Director of OPIA. “He also failed to report that windfall on his tax returns, further depriving the State, according to this indictment. This case is another clear illustration of the true cost of public corruption, and why pursuing these cases is vital to cutting off wasteful spending and restoring public confidence.”
Authorities say Morris allegedly conducted multiple cash withdrawals in smaller amounts to avoid triggering required banking reports for large transactions.
For example, prosecutors allege that between Aug. 14 and Aug. 16, 2021, Morris withdrew $11,300 through several transactions below reporting thresholds, and in January 2022 withdrew more than $14,000 using the same method.
Morris is also accused of failing to report more than $418,000 in income between 2020 and 2024, filing false state tax returns that omitted tens of thousands of dollars in income each year, according to the indictment.
“The indictment of former Lieutenant Timothy Morris underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards and ensuring that no individual is above the law. The alleged actions of former Lt. Morris were a betrayal of the public trust and the values we demand at the New Jersey Department of Corrections,” said Acting NJDOC Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn. “Through the diligent work of the Special Investigations Division, the Department remains focused on identifying and holding accountable anyone who exploits their position for personal gain.”
Morris faces charges including official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking, financial facilitation of criminal activity, failure to pay taxes and filing fraudulent tax returns.
Under New Jersey law, second-degree offenses carry potential prison sentences of five to 10 years, while third-degree charges carry sentences of three to five years if convicted.
