Bergen County Grand Jury Charges Jersey City Police Sergeant in Child Sexual Assault Case

A Bergen County grand jury indicted a Jersey City police sergeant with many offenses for allegedly sexually assaulting a child he met online, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Andy LaBruno, 44, of Dumont was arrested last year for drugging and sexually assaulting a kid. Police say the indictment was handed down Thursday. Offenses include official misconduct, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and child endangerment.

After LaBruno pretended to be a police officer during the brawl to evade arrest, prosecutors added the official misconduct allegation. Officials said this activity caused the excess count.

Court filings show LaBruno saw the child in Englewood without parents. The victim was disoriented and unable to move when he sprayed an unfamiliar chemical into their palm, according to a court statement. The toddler was assaulted after being inebriated, say investigators.

Someone contacted 911 to alert police. The person exhibited cognitive issues, researchers found. Police grabbed two electronic devices and collected physical evidence at the scene and in LaBruno, according to court papers.

First, LaBruno was arrested November. He rejected the first claims.

According to public employment records, LaBruno has been a police officer since December 1, 2005, and earns over $120,000. An arrested Jersey City police officer stated he was placed on unpaid leave.

He was a police officer and elected politician. His term as Dumont mayor was 2020–2023. He was on the neighborhood council for two years before that. His Democratic 39th legislative district state Assembly bid failed last year.

As of Friday, his lawyers had not addressed the indictment.

In Bergen County court, prosecutors will present evidence. An indictment is a legal charge, not a conviction. The U.S. considers people innocent until proven guilty. The defendant’s law enforcement and public service background distinguishes the case. The prosecution believe the charges match their findings. Court hearings will resolve the matter in the next months.