A former police chief has been sentenced to prison in a sexual abuse case dating back to 2008.
Thomas Herbst, 57, the former chief of the Manville Police Department, received sentences of seven years and five years on Monday, which will be served concurrently, the state Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.
Herbst, of Bridgewater, was convicted at trial earlier this year on the second-degree charges of pattern of official misconduct, sexual assault and multiple counts official misconduct as well as fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
Herbst victimized at least three women, with the abuse occurring both inside and outside of the workplace, according to prosecutors.
Starting in 2008, when Herbst was a lieutenant, he groped, exposed himself to and sexually harassed a police department employee, according to evidence presented at trial. Over the next 13 years, his conduct against the employee escalated to sexual assault, according to the evidence.
The attacks often happened on-duty and inside police headquarters, prosecutors said.
Herbst also demanded sexual favors, including oral sex, from a police department employee’s wife in exchange for a promotion, according to the evidence. He also demanded explicit photo’s of another subordinate’s wife in exchange for a schedule change, prosecutors said.
“The defendant’s abuse of power inflicted lasting damage to his victims’ lives,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. “Today’s sentence brings some measure of justice to the victims and the community. My office will continue to work to bolster public confidence in government, to ensure the safety of all, and to combat sexual offenses in all forms.”
The AG’s office obtained an eight-count indictment against the chief in June 2023. More than a year earlier, the borough of Manville suspended Herbst when one of the victims – a police civilian employee – sued him in civil court and detailed a list of shocking allegations, many which were later included in the criminal charges.
The suit said Herbst masturbated in front of the woman at the police department and touched her inappropriately on a regular basis while he was her supervisor.
He later sexually assaulted the woman approximately 10 times in the police archive room. He also assaulted her at her home and in a hotel parking lot during her lunch hour, the lawsuit alleged.
Herbst countersued the woman who sued him civilly and both suits were placed on hold while the criminal case proceeded, records show.
As part of his sentence, Herbst will have to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be subject to parole supervision for life.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at [email protected].
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.