A New Jersey Democrat has been arrested after he was allegedly caught raping a child by the victim’s father, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Andrew LaBruno, the Democrat former mayor of Dumont, also serves as a Jersey City police sergeant.
He also recently lost a competitive race for the New Jersey State Assembly, running as a Democrat.
The 44-year-old allegedly groomed the victim online before raping her.
Prosecutors say he first contacted the teen on social media, later arranging an in-person meeting at the victim’s Englewood home while no one else was present.
According to authorities, LaBruno “sexually assaulted and endangered the juvenile” during the encounter.
He was reportedly caught when the teen’s father returned home unexpectedly.
In LaBruno’s police mugshot, his arm appears to be in a sling.
His injuries are not explained, however.
Affidavit Details Disturbing Allegations
According to NorthJersey.com, investigators say LaBruno sprayed an “unknown substance” into his hand and held it over the teen’s nose and mouth, causing dizziness before the alleged assault.
LaBruno now faces the following charges:
• First-degree aggravated sexual assault
• Second-degree sexual assault
• Third-degree endangering the welfare of a child
LaBruno has been remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Democrat Candidate, Police Sergeant, Ex-Mayor
LaBruno’s campaign website described him as a devoted family man and longtime law-enforcement officer:
The site says he’s “married to Meghan LaBruno and [father of] two children,” biracial “of Italian and Puerto Rican heritage,” and “committed to his family, town, and his brother and sisters in law enforcement.”
He was endorsed in his Assembly run by Democrat Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill and previously volunteered for “Dumont Pride,” an LGBT-aligned community group.
Public Reaction
Online reaction has been swift and blistering:
“More degenerate Dems? So business as usual then.”
“Lock him up and spare us the excuses.”
“This vile sexual deviance was very nearly normalized. Our children are at great risk…”
“The ‘thing that never happens’ sure happens a lot.”
LaBruno is expected to appear for a detention hearing as the case proceeds.
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