2003 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

March 18, 2003

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Clementon Police Chief William Malseed announced today that a former Clementon Police officer has been arrested and charged with Sexual Assault, Official Misconduct and Criminal Coercion stemming from an alleged incident in Clementon last July.

Wayne N. Coates Jr., M/48, who currently resides in Cape Coral, Fla., is charged with sexually assaulting a 25-year-old South Jersey woman in a police vehicle while on duty in the early morning hours of July 26, 2002. The woman was treated at a local hospital and released.

Coates, a 13-year veteran of the department, resigned his position as a police officer last year and relocated to Florida. Coates returned to Camden County and turned himself in earlier today.

Superior Court Judge Samuel D. Natal set bail at $7,500, cash or bond, which the defendant subsequently posted.

The Sexual Assault and Official Misconduct charges are second-degree crimes each carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Criminal Coercion is a third-degree crime carrying a maximum five-year term.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.