Manville Police Chief Charged With Sex Assault, Preyed On Officers' Wives: AG

MANVILLE, NJ — Suspended Manville Police Chief Thomas J. Herbst was arrested and charged with sexual assault after a longtime employee sued him, accusing him of rape and sexual abuse over 13 years.

Herbst, who worked for the Manville Police Department since 1991 and was on paid administrative leave as of his arrest on Wednesday morning, April 12, is facing two counts of sexual assault, two counts of official misconduct, one count of a pattern of official misconduct, and one count of criminal sexual contact.

Herbst is now on unpaid leave, James Wronko, Esq. who is representing Herbst told Patch.

"The Chief absolutely denies engaging in any nonconsensual sexual activity with any women," said Wronko.

In relation to the dates of the allegations, Wronko added "that this is going back many, many years. The Chief denies in engaging in any nonconsensual sex with any woman. Period."

The investigation revealed that Herbst "regularly groped, exposed himself to, and sexually assaulted an employee of the police department between 2008 and 2021," said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Platkin said that the sexual acts allegedly often took place when Herbst and the victim were on duty at various locations of the police department. Herbst even "ordered the victim to wear skirts to facilitate and escalate his assaults," said Platkin.

In one of the earlier attacks, Herbst called the victim into his office and told her he would allow her to leave work early because of the snow. He then stood next to the chair blocking her from getting out, removed his penis from his pants, masturbated, and ejaculated into her hair and onto her clothing. He told her he was sorry and directed her to go home, according to the arrest affidavit.

One time when she resisted his assault, he accused her of disobeying his orders.

Platkin said Herbst also attacked the victim in her own home.

"Out of fear, she began closing her blinds, locking her doors, parking her car in the garage so that when [Herbst] drove by he wouldn’t know she was home," said Platkin.

The victim filed a lawsuit against Herbst on Feb. 15, 2022, which prompted this investigation. Read More: Manville Police Chief Accused Of Raping Employee: Lawsuit

A single mother, the employee said she didn't speak out against the abuse until now because she was worried about losing her job.

"Plaintiff feared that, if she refused to comply with Herbst’s implicit sexual demands, he would retaliate against her and find some way to terminate her, or at the very least he would make things very difficult for her at work," the lawsuit said.

Herbst is also accused of going to the home of a woman, who previously was his subordinate, and sexually assaulted her, said Platkin.

Additionally, Herbst allegedly solicited sexual favors from the wives of subordinate officers in order for those officers to receive favorable employment, decisions, and opportunities, said Platkin.

In April 2017, Herbst texted one officer "to demand oral sex from his wife in exchange for a promotion," according to the arrest affidavit.

"Using his authority to make his victims comply with his wishes or risk their jobs or their spouses' chances of advancing their careers - such an abuse of power can not and will not stand," said Platkin.

"Herbst is charged with abusing his rank and authority to coerce staff members into sex acts in the workplace and in the victims’ homes, and to obtain lewd photos and sex acts from the wives and girlfriends of subordinates in return for promotions and assignments," said Thomas Eicher, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. "This conduct, as alleged, is a disgrace. We will not tolerate criminal behavior by someone who swore an oath to protect and serve the people."

Platkin went on to commend the women for speaking up and said this type of misconduct will not be tolerated.

"It took extraordinary courage for these women to come forward and publicly make accusations against the current Chief of Police. All while facing the possibility that the defendant's position and stature might lead the public to doubt their stories and question the pain they had endured," said Platkin. "To those victims, I want to say that we have heard you, that we take your allegations seriously, that we investigated them thoroughly. And today we are bringing criminal charges against the man that hurt you."

Herbst faces 5 to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000 on the second-degree sexual assault charges. In addition, the second-degree misconduct charges and pattern of misconduct charge each carries a 5-year term of parole ineligibility as well as mandatory forfeiture of Herbst’s public pension, forfeiture of public office, and a lifetime ban from holding future public office or public employment.

The fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Herbst has since been released from custody and has a court date of May 22 in Somerset County Superior Court.

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