Man sentenced for assaulting police officer during reckless dirt bike incident Somerset County
SOMERVILLE, NJ (Somerset County) – A Union County man was sentenced for assaulting a police officer during a reckless dirt bike incident in North Plainfield
Victor Ogando-Marte, 39, of Plainfield, was sentenced on Nov. 22 to 364 days in jail after being convicted of multiple offenses, including third-degree aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, third-degree resisting arrest, and disorderly persons inflicting bodily injury with a deadly weapon. The charges stemmed from a violent encounter during a reckless dirt bike incident in April 2022.
At sentencing, Judge Peter J. Tober, P.J. Cr., noted the strong need to deter this defendant and others from engaging in this type of conduct.
On April 13, 2022, Ogando-Marte was part of a group of 15-20 individuals riding dirt bikes illegally on Route 22 in North Plainfield during rush hour. The group was seen weaving through traffic, popping wheelies, and obstructing other vehicles, creating chaos on the busy highway.
When Officer James Kirchner of the North Plainfield Police Department attempted to arrest Ogando-Marte near Rock Avenue, the defendant used his dirt bike as a weapon, dragging the officer from the shoulder into the middle of the highway.
As Officer Kirchner struggled on the ground, Ogando-Marte resisted arrest while other dirt bikers circled the officer, escalating the violence. Fortunately, the situation was defused by the quick thinking and intervention of Good Samaritans, off-duty officers, and responding backup. Ogando-Marte was eventually subdued, but the group of dirt bikers fled from the scene.
On Sept. 13, a Somerset County jury convicted Ogando-Marte on all charges, including additional motor vehicle offenses. The prosecution was led by Assistant Prosecutor Ryan A. Quiñones, with the support of Litigation Paralegal Tiffany Gordon.
In his ruling, Judge Tober also found Ogando-Marte guilty of several disorderly persons offenses, including hindering and obstruction of justice.
