Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced that on Jan. 12th,
Internal Affairs Unit of the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor arrested Jersey City Police Sgt. John Ransom for his involvement in an incident in Audubon Park in Jersey City that occurred in August.
A Complaint-Summons has been issued charging Ransom with one count of Assault by Auto Causing Serious Bodily Injury, fourth-degree crime.
According to authorities, Ransom is scheduled to make his First Appearance on this charge at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2, in CJP Court located in the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
“Officers who abuse their power and break the law will be held accountable for their actions,” said Prosecutor Suarez. “The Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor will continue to vigorously investigate and root out police misconduct and wrongdoing.”
According to authorities, shortly after 7 p.m. on August 6, 2017, Jersey City Police officers were investigating an incident involving suspected Controlled Dangerous Substances.
Officers attempted to stop a suspect, later identified as Shiron Cooper, who fled the scene. Cooper ran into Audubon Park., Sgt. Ransom followed in his patrol car and then allegedly struck Cooper twice while driving his vehicle. The incident was recorded with surveillance cameras.
Police said Cooper sustained abrasions, contusions, and lacerations to his torso and head, as well as a fracture to his face and was ultimately transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Police arrested Cooper and he later pleaded guilty on Accusation to Possession of CDS charges. Cooper was sentenced to two years of probation on September 29, 2017.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.