Camden, NJ – Shaun J. Butler, 46, of Mantua, a former police officer for the Mantua Township Police Department, was found guilty of official misconduct and related computer crimes in front of the Honorable James Bucci, Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns announced.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in open court: On Sept. 11, 2021, Butler, who was a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs department of the Mantua Township Police Department, was involved in an off-duty sexual encounter when the woman’s husband found the pair in their home, leading to an altercation. Rather than calling 911, Butler used the Mantua dispatch number, failing to identify himself as an officer. He also refused to respond to questions from subordinate responding officers when asked about the events leading to the altercation.
In the days following the incident, Butler used his access to Mantua Township Police Department’s restricted law enforcement databases to read the officers’ reports, despite warnings the database should be used only for valid law enforcement purposes. He also described the contents of those reports over the phone to the woman involved and, over phone and messenger chats, he described how he could use his confidential access to police records to minimize the incident and prevent mutual embarrassment.
The County of Gloucester complies with all state and federal rules and regulations against discrimination in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, and activities. In addition, County encourages participation of people with disabilities in its programs and activities and offers special services to all residents 60 years of age and older. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the County’s ADA Coordinator at (856) 384-6842/ New Jersey Relay Service 711.
On Sept. 16, 2021, he logged into a draft report of a subordinate officer and added details to that draft report that were attributed to the subordinate officer.
Following a 6-week jury trial, Butler was found guilty of one count of second-degree official misconduct, one count of third-degree computer crimes involving unauthorized access, and one count of third-degree computer crimes involving access and disclosure.
His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2026. The maximum term of incarceration is 10 years in state prison for the second-degree charge and 5 years in state prison for each of the third-degree charges.
The State is represented by Assistant Prosecutors Kernie Desir and Jonathon Gilmore.
Prosecutor Johns thanked the GCPO Professional Standards Unit and the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management for their assistance in the investigation.
Defense Counsel: Tracy Riley and Michael Rily of the Law Offices of Riley and Riley.