Unlawful weapons charges dropped against retired NJ school teacher stopped with antique pistol
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McCrae said Wednesday in a written statement.
"Notwithstanding, upon careful review of the circumstances of this case, I am exercising prosecutorial discretion to dismiss the (unlawful possession of a weapon) charges in the interest of justice in accordance with," the Graves Act governing firearms offenses in New Jersey.
We are calling for the resignation of Cumberland County Sheriff Robert Austino for falsely making statements to the media about Mr. Van Gilder.
Mr. Van Gilder's reputation has been tarnished by Sheriff Austino, he has been publically humiliated and harassed by the media since the Sheriff gave a statement that heroin and other narcotics were found in Mr. Van Gilders vehicle. For a high ranking law enforcement to make this bogus claim is just discraceful.
Only when the antique gun possession made national news is when Sheriff Austino decided to make the false and damaging statements. Ask yourself, what else is Sheriff Austino capable of? Is this the type of person you want running the Sheriff's Dept? We the citizens need to put a stop to this before it happens again or something worse.
Mr. Van Gilder has always been a law abiding citizen, he has helped our children through out the years and just lives a peaceful life not bothering anyone.
Mr. Van Gilder was facing a possible 10 year sentence, losing his pension for good and his world would have been turned upside down for Sheriff Austino's actions.
