Ex-Jail Officer In South Jersey Imprisoned For Death Threat Against Woman

BRIDGETON, NJ — A former jail officer was sent to prison for threatening to kill a woman and interfering with the ensuing investigation.

Neal J. Armstrong, who previously worked for the Cumberland County Jail, was sentenced Friday to 11.5 years in prison. At the sentencing proceeding, Judge Cristen P. D'Arrigo denied his appeal for a new trial.

Armstrong, 35, had an ongoing relationship with a former inmate when he was a corrections officer. In fall 2017, he threatened to kill her if she disclosed to authorities their relationship and the acts and events — drug use and sexual favors — that occurred at a Millville home, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO).

During the internal affairs investigation, the Vineland resident contacted a friend in July 2018 for assistance in remotely deleting incriminating messages and data from his cell phone, the CCPO said. Authorities seized Armstrong's phone via court order.

The jail's administration and internal affairs unit fully cooperated with the CCPO's criminal investigation, according to prosecutors.

Armstrong was convicted Sept. 14 of hindering apprehension or prosecution (second-degree), terroristic threats (third-degree), attempted hindering apprehension (third-degree) and simple assault by physical menace (disorderly persons offense).

He received a 7.5-year merged sentence for hindering apprehension or prosecution, terroristic threats and simple assault, along with an additional four years for attempted hindering apprehension.

Armstrong was acquitted of two other charges in his indictment: possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose (second-degree) and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm (fourth-degree).