Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said today that a former Edison police officer was sentenced to serve 20 years in a New Jersey State Prison for crimes he committed over a period of five years.
Michael A. Dotro, 40, of Manalapan was sentenced to a prison term of 20 years subject to the No Early Release Act. As such, he will have to serve 17 years in State Prison before becoming eligible for parole.
The sentence was imposed by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Pedro J. Jimenez, Jr., in accordance with a plea agreement reached with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Russell Curley. In addition, the Judge ordered restraining orders to protect the victims involved.
“We are satisfied now that Michael Dotro has been convicted and sentenced to 20 years incarceration for crimes which all of our many honorable police officers find repugnant,”Prosecutor Carey said.
“Over the past few years, the Prosecutor’s Office, along with Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan, and members of Edison Police Department, have worked diligently to remove the cancerous officers from the ranks of the department. As a result, police officers can proudly wear the Edison Police shield as they protect and serve all members of the public; and our residents can be confident that the Edison Police Department is functioning effectively and with integrity,” Prosecutor Carey said.
Dotro received 20 years for attempted murder in the first degree and 10 years for aggravated arson in the second degree for setting the May 23, 2013, fire at the home of another Edison officer, who was his supervisor. Both are subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires him to serve 85% of the sentence before being eligible for parole.
In addition, he was sentenced to 10 years for official misconduct in the second degree, 5 years for conspiracy to tamper with a witness in the third degree and 18 months for conspiracy to retaliate in the fourth degree.
All sentences are to run concurrent for a maximum of 20 years. Dotro is also to serve 5 years of Parole Supervision once released from state prison.
The former police officer was charged during an extensive investigation by the Detective Bureau of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office; led by Detective Donald Heck and Detective Christopher Pennisi.