Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 13, 2019, Denise Scaltrito, 48, of Brick Township was arrested and charged with Harassment and Bias Intimidation.
Police accused Scaltrito of sending threatening and offensive messages to the victim, via Facebook Messenger.
Police say the messages included the “KKK is alive and well in Brick,” and that “the victim should move.”
Additional messages included references to the ARYN Brotherhood and derogatory comments regarding the victim’s race.
Prosecutor Billhimer stated “it is against the law to intimidate someone based on their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, disability or gender identity/expression.
This type of behavior is on the rise, especially on social media. Individuals that exploit hatred, intolerance and prejudice with a purpose to intimidate will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Brick Police Chief James Riccio stated that “The Brick Township Police Department will investigate all allegations of bias intimidation thoroughly. This type of language directed at an individual with a purpose to intimidate will not be tolerated.”
Scaltrito was processed at Brick Township Police Headquarters and released on a summons pending a future court date.