Volunteer Fire Chief Faces Charges of Sexual Assault and Criminal Contact in 2022 Incident
NEW YORK – A volunteer fire chief in New Jersey was arrested on Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman two years ago, according to authorities.
Michael Trimarchi, 55, of Manchester Township, the fire chief of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, has been charged with sexual assault and criminal sexual contact, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer revealed.
On September 6, a survivor contacted the Manchester Township Police Department to allege that Trimarchi sexually attacked her on August 10, 2022.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit investigated the incident and discovered that Trimarchi allegedly sexually assaulted the woman while she was seated in a car on that date.
On October 7, officers from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office carried out a court-authorized search warrant at Trimarchi’s residence.
He was arrested at the residence without incident and transferred to the Ocean County Jail, where he is currently being held until a detention hearing.
“If anyone owns additional information regarding Mr. Trimarchi or this investigation, please contact Sergeant Stephanie Bayha of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3861,” Billhimer told the crowd.
An investigation is ongoing.