Ex-Manalapan Cop Admits Stalking Teen Girls

MANALAPAN, NJ — A former Manalapan police officer has admitted to three criminal counts in connection with illegal behavior toward two teenage girls, one of whom he stalked, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Kevin Ruditsky, 49, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of third-degree computer criminal activity and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child before Superior Court Judge Jill G. O'Malley, Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said.

Ruditsky was arrested and suspended without pay in August 2023 after the prosecutor’s office found he was sending inappropriate messages and photos to one of the victims, who was 16 years old at the time.

Investigators determined it started during Manalapan Township’s 2023 National Night Out event. Ruditsky was in full uniform at the time and allowed the 16-year-old to sit in his patrol car.

On Wednesday Ruditsky admitted he knew the girl was 16 and engaged in inappropriate conduct anyway, including sending the girl sexually explicit messages and photos via social media, authorities said.

"Ruditsky further acknowledged that several days later, he pulled the victim over on Route 9, unlawfully handcuffed her, and attempted to kiss her," the prosecutor's office said. He turned off his dash camera and body-worn camera, authorities said.

Ruditsky also admitted to parking his marked patrol vehicle outside the girl's home about 2:30 a.m. one night while he was on duty, authorities said. The girl lived in a neighboring town, authorities said.

Ruditsky only stopped when the matter was reported to law enforcement, authorities said.

In addition, Ruditsky admitted using a law enforcement database to look up information about the victim, and had done the same with a second girl, who was 17, in December 2022, "outside the scope of any legitimate law enforcement purpose," the prosecutor's office said.

Ruditsky is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 20, at which time the prosecutor's office will be seeking a 10-year prison sentence along with registration as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, parole supervision for life, and no contact with either victim.

He also has been barred from any public service in New Jersey under an order O'Malley signed Wednesday, authorities said.

Previous reporting:

• Manalapan Cop Stalked Teen Girl He Met At Police Event: Prosecutor
• Manalapan Cop Accused Of Stalking Teen Had Texted 2nd Girl: Prosecutor