Retired Bordentown Police Chief Frank Nucera Jr. is facing hate crime charges after he allegedly grabbed an 18-year-old black man’s head “like a basketball” and slammed it into a metal door jamb during an arrest in 2016. Making matters in that case even more disturbing, the suspect, Timothy Stroye, was handcuffed when this happened. His alleged crime, by the way? He was accused of sneaking into a hotel with his girlfriend and using its pool without paying the bill. That’s it.
New testimony from fellow officers has revealed that the New Jersey police chief said numerous racist, horrifying things while on the job. For example, officers testified that Nucera used racial slurs, claimed black people should be shot, said he wanted to “mow down” black Americans … and that Donald Trump is “the last hope for white people.”
Yikes.
Now, he faces charges for hate crime assault, civil rights violations, and lying to the FBI.
On Monday, Sept. 23, Sgt. Nathan Roohr testified about the 2016 arrest. The South Jersey police officer said the suspect’s head hitting the door jamb "made a loud thud." He also said he “immediately knew it was wrong. I knew I had an obligation to report it ... This was an obvious excessive force."
Roohr, along with other officers, provided taped evidence that showed Nucera uttering racist, discriminatory things.
As reported by NJ.com, Nucera used racist language numerous times while at work and used dogs to attempt to intimidate black people. For example, according to a transcript disclosed at the federal courthouse last week, NJ.com reports that Nucera compared black people to ISIS. This is also where the line that Trump “is the last hope for white people” appears.
“I’m telling you, you know what, Donald Trump is the last hope for white people, ’cause Hillary [Clinton] will give it to all the minorities to get a vote,” he reportedly said in reference to the 2016 presidential election. “That’s the truth! I’m telling you.”
In one evidence tape, Nucera says, "It's gonna get to the point where I could shoot one of these n---ers."
According to Nucera’s attorney, Rocco Cipparone, officers who have come forward with these accusations have a vendetta because of overtime policies and disciplinary issues.
The stakes for Nucera, given that he (upon realizing the FBI was investigating him) retired already? According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, he could face up to 20 years in prison, and lose his $8,800 per month pension. Yeah: per month.
"The conduct alleged is a shocking breach of the duty of every police officer to provide equal justice under the law and never to mistreat a person in custody," U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick said when charges were filed. "As a result, the former chief of police is now a charged federal criminal defendant."
Nucera is currently free on bond.