Essex County prosecutor’s office sergeant from Sparta charged in alleged theft during Delaney Hall protest

TRENTON, N.J. — An Essex County Prosecutor’s Office sergeant from Sussex County has been charged with theft after allegedly taking a photojournalist’s camera equipment while the journalist was being treated at a hospital following a protest at Newark’s Delaney Hall, authorities said.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability announced that Sgt. Darryl Brown, 43, of Sparta Township, has been charged by complaint summons with third-degree theft.

The charge stems from an investigation into the disappearance of camera equipment belonging to a photojournalist who was covering a protest at Delaney Hall on May 30.

According to investigators, the journalist was injured while working at the scene and dropped a camera bag containing an estimated $10,000 worth of cameras and related equipment. The journalist was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities said the journalist later tracked an Apple AirTag attached to one of the missing items. Investigators determined the tracking signal led to a residence in Sparta Township.

The AirTag was later recovered several miles from the original location by a friend of the victim, according to authorities.

Investigators said the original destination of the AirTag was identified as Brown’s residence. Brown had been assigned to the Delaney Hall area in his official law enforcement capacity on the day of the protest.

According to the complaint, Brown’s body-worn camera footage showed him interacting with a dark-colored bag consistent with the description of the journalist’s belongings.

On June 3, investigators executed a search warrant at Brown’s residence and recovered several items reported missing by the journalist, authorities said. Some of the recovered items allegedly still had the victim’s name and phone number on identification labels.

“So many police officers conduct themselves with integrity, uphold the law, maintain order and public safety, and serve our communities with distinction in the face of great challenges, day in and day out,” said Attorney General Davenport. “When an officer does what is alleged in this case, it is a disservice to the profession and the public. I previously pledged that our Office would review allegations of improper conduct by law enforcement. We are doing exactly that, and this case is a result of that effort. Let me be clear: absolutely no one is above the law. We will hold law enforcement accountable when they abuse the tremendous position of public trust that they occupy and choose to break the law.”

“The allegations against Sergeant Brown are serious and concerning. He has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office,” said Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II. “Conduct that undermines the public’s trust in law enforcement is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to accountability, integrity, and maintaining the public’s trust in the criminal justice system.”

A third-degree theft charge carries a potential sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.