Somers Point Officer Charged After Two Separate Domestic Violence Incidents

A police officer in Somers Point was indicted on charges of domestic violence and other offenses following two incidents in 2015 and 2016.

Samuel Clerico, is charged with "aggravated assault, official misconduct, witness tampering, and terroristic threats" after misusing his police identification.

Reports say, the first incident occurred Dec. 16, 2015, when he unlawfully used his police identification to enter a woman's hotel room. The following day, he allegedly fired his handgun during an argument, and proceeded to make threats against her and those at her place of business.

On Dec. 18, 2015, he allegedly punched Somers Point Police Sgt. Howard Dill Jr. for handing his cellphone over to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

Then finally, in Sept. 2016, he assaulted the same woman and forced her to recant her statement to police, i.e. terrorizing and tampering with the witness.

According to Press of Atlantic City, Clerico is charged with "possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, making terroristic threats and assault in the two separate incidents."

He is also currently suspended without pay, according to some reports.

Source: NJ.com | Press of Atlantic City | Philly Daily News