By: Richard L. Smith
A Plainfield man was sentenced to 364 days in jail for assaulting a police officer during a reckless dirt bike incident on Route 22 in 2022. Victor Ogando-Marte, 39, was convicted in September of third-degree aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, third-degree resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct involving bodily injury with a deadly weapon.
The sentencing, handed down on November 22, 2024, by Judge Peter J. Tober in Somerset County Superior Court, emphasized the need to deter such dangerous behavior.
According to a statement released by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, the judge highlighted the importance of preventing similar actions in the future.
The charges stem from an April 13, 2022, incident during which Ogando-Marte was part of a group of 15-20 dirt bikers riding illegally on Route 22 in North Plainfield during rush hour.
Testimony during the trial revealed that the group drove recklessly, weaving through traffic, performing stunts, and obstructing vehicles. Near the Rock Avenue intersection, Officer James Kirchner of the North Plainfield Police Department attempted to stop Ogando-Marte.
During the encounter, Ogando-Marte struck the officer with his dirt bike, dragging him from the road's shoulder into active traffic lanes. While on the ground, the officer faced further resistance from Ogando-Marte and was surrounded by other dirt bikers.
The chaotic scene was brought under control thanks to the intervention of Good Samaritans, 911 callers, off-duty officers, and police reinforcements. Ogando-Marte was apprehended, but the other bikers fled.
The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office reported that Ogando-Marte's conviction followed a jury trial earlier this year.
The office commended the efforts of those who assisted during the incident and the law enforcement personnel who brought the defendant to justice.
Ogando-Marte's actions, described in court as both reckless and deliberate, serve as a warning about the serious consequences of endangering public safety and assaulting law enforcement officers.