Police Sergeant Arrested for Child Assault
A police sergeant from Jersey City was taken into custody on Monday, with authorities announcing the allegations on Tuesday. He stands accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a child he connected with online.
Andrew LaBruno, 44, is a former mayor of Dumont and had recently campaigned for a state legislative position without success. According to a criminal complaint, he visited the child’s home in Inglewood, applied an unknown substance to his hands, and held it over the child’s mouth and nose, resulting in the child becoming dizzy.
Reports describe LaBruno, who is married and has two children, as assaulting the incapacitated victim while the child was alone at home.
He faces multiple charges, including aggravated sexual assault, sexual battery, and endangering a child’s welfare. Authorities claim they gathered sufficient probable cause for the arrest, citing body-worn camera footage, testimony from the victim, and corroborating physical evidence collected from the scene.
When police arrived after a 911 call, they observed that the child exhibited signs of “cognitive impairment.” The victim was subsequently taken to a local hospital for care.
LaBruno is being held in Bergen County Jail without bail and is expected to appear in court later on Tuesday. Reports indicate that he was suspended without pay.
No details are currently available regarding LaBruno’s legal representation.
His campaign website highlights his devotion to family, his public service background, and the charity he founded. LaBruno grew up in Jersey City and became a police officer in 2005, currently serving as a sergeant in the Office of Emergency Management.
He has a 16-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter and started the Dumont Community Group, which organizes events like the Dumont 5K.
LaBruno was elected to the Dumont City Council in 2018 and served as mayor from 2020 to 2023.
In a 2020 interview, he called for an investigation into alleged homophobic remarks made by teachers at Dumont High School, emphasizing his commitment to diversity and community values.
