A Hudson County Grand Jury today returned an Indictment against four Jersey City police officers in connection with a vehicular police pursuit that occurred on June 4, 2017.
Lieutenant Keith Ludwig has been charged with three counts: one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a second-degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(7), a third-degree crime; and one count of Official Misconduct in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2(a), a second-degree crime.
MD Khan has been charged with 13 counts: two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a), each a second-degree crime; three counts of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), each a second-degree crime; two counts of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(2), each a third-degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(3), a fourth-degree crime; one count of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(3) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), a first-degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(7), a third-degree crime; and three counts of Official Misconduct in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2(a), each a second-degree crime.
Officer Eric Kosinski has been charged with five counts: one count of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a), a second-degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a second-degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(2), a third-degree crime; one count of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(3) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), a first-degree crime; and one count of Official Misconduct in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2(a), a second-degree crime.
Officer Francisco Rodriguez has been charged with four counts: one count of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a), a second-degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a second-degree crime; one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(2), a third-degree crime; and one count of Official Misconduct in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2(a), a second-degree crime.
According to authorities, on Sunday, June 4, 2017, shortly after 11 p.m., Jersey City Police Officers attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Ocean and Cator avenues in Jersey City. The driver fled the area in the vehicle and was pursued by police officers.
The fleeing driver, Leo C. Pinkston, 48, of Jersey City, was involved in several automobile crashes. The first crash occurred as he attempted to drive between two lanes of traffic while traveling on Tonnelle Avenue.
During the pursuit, multiple shots were fired at the suspect by Jersey City Police Officers. Several blocks later, Pinkston crashed his vehicle into another vehicle being driven on Tonnelle Avenue. This led to a collision with a utility pole causing a fire and injuring the male driver of the second vehicle.
A Hudson County Grand Jury previously returned an Indictment against Pinkston on August 23rd, charging him with one count of Eluding, one count of Aggravated Assault while Eluding, one count of Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Assault by Auto in violation. His next pretrial court appearance is scheduled for December 11, 2017, at 9 a.m. in Hudson County Superior Court.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.