Middletown Democratic Candidate Confirms 2004 Arrest Record

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Late Monday night, the Middletown Democratic Party released a statement confirming the criminal arrest record of Nicholas Babcock, one of the two Democrats running this year for Middletown Township Committee.

As Patch was first to report, Babcock was arrested in Maricopa County, Arizona in 2004 and charged with multiple counts of forgery, theft and possession of a forgery device, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff. They were felony-level charges, according to the courts.

Arizona criminal records further show that Babcock pleaded guilty to the charges. He did not serve jail time; he was sentenced to two years of probation.

Babcock initially declined to answer any questions specifically about his arrest, saying he was waiting for the results of a background report. He has still not obtained that background report as of this week.

When Patch asked Mike Morris, chair of the Middletown Democratic Party, if his candidate had an arrest record, Morris denied it and threatened to "sue Patch for slander and libel" if we published a story saying so. Morris also initially said there were two different Nick Babcocks who spent time in Arizona 17 years ago.

But after Patch obtained Babcock's 2004 mugshot from the Maricopa County Sheriff, Morris said: "He was not 100 percent honest with us and we'll be dealing with it. He is still telling us it wasn't him."

Babcock has since publicly confirmed he was indeed arrested. Subscribe to Patch: https://patch.com/subscribe

On Monday night, the Middletown Democratic Party said the following:

"Mr. Babcock has admitted to us that as a recently discharged United States Navy combat veteran, going through a terrible breakup and seeking custody of his son, while at the same time undergoing treatment against brain cancer; he bounced two checks in March of 2001. Over a year later, Mr. Babcock was taken into custody for questioning and subsequently charged with theft. To bolster charges, Nick Babcock was also charged with the possession of a forgery device ... A PEN!"

In 2004, Babcock accepted a plea deal with the Maricopa County Court, said Morris. In exchange for his guilty plea, he was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to make restitution for the sum of the bounced checks.

He was ordered to pay $1,296 in restitution to Bank of America and $459 to Qwest, a Southwest telecommunications company.

Additionally, Morris also said that in 2018 the state of Arizona set aside the charges against Babcock, meaning the state did not view him as having a felony criminal record and he was able to do things such as purchase a gun.

"Nicholas Babcock is NOT a felon," said Morris. "In 2018, the state of Arizona wiped clean Mr. Babcock’s court records and the charges against him were set aside. Nicholas Babcock has the right to purchase and carry a handgun; he holds the right to vote and seek office."

Babcock' running mate, Rocky Rios, is still campaigning against Republican Tony Perry for Middletown Twp. Committee. However, Babcock previously said he tried to withdraw as a candidate in the Township Committee race as early as Sept. 10, citing health issues. Babcock said the Middletown Democratic Party would not accept his resignation, with Morris telling him "it was too late, the ballots already went out."

Last week, the League of Women Voters canceled a debate it was going to host between all four Middletown Township Committee candidates: Rios and Babcock, and Republicans Perry and Kimberly Kratz.

"Rocky Rios accepted the invite. Due to the allegations surrounding Nick Babcock he did not respond in a timely manner," said Democratic Party chair Morris. "Being a nonpartisan organization, the League of Women Voters canceled the event. They would not host unless all candidates participated. If Nick Babcock couldn't participate, the League would not allow Kimberly Kratz to attend."

Morris attacks Middletown Republican Party

Morris also accused the Middletown Republican Party of leaking Babcock's arrest record to the media.

"What our investigation has truly revealed is that Middletown’s appointed Mayor, Tony Perry and his fellow Middletown Republicans, purposely leaked Mr. Babcock’s 2004 charges to the press and then directed his band of Facebook trolls to smear our candidate," said Morris.

"This campaign shows the depths to which Tony Perry and the Middletown Republicans will sink by the use of the dirtiest of tricks, leaking Mr. Babcock’s bounced check charges from 2004, 17 years ago," continued Morris. "Mr. Babcock, a Navy combat veteran, a father of three, a small-business owner and two-time cancer survivor, has the same criminal record as Middletown’s appointed Mayor, Tony Perry — none!"

"I could not be prouder of the record of the Middletown Township Committee, and I am confident that all the accomplishments and progress we have made has resonated with the voters and people of Middletown," responded Mayor Perry Tuesday. "Our opponents knowingly lied about Mr. Babcock and threatened to sue the reporters looking into the allegations — the choice in this election could not be more clear."

Middletown's local government — the Township Committee — has been all-Republican for a decade. Democrats have tried for the past ten years, without success, to be elected to the Township Committee.

Will you vote?

The election is next Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Mail-in ballots already were sent to homes. New this year is that Middletown voters can vote early by machine from Oct. 23-Oct. 31 at Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

If you'd prefer to vote by mail, there are two secure ballot drop box locations in Middletown:

• Middletown Twp. Municipal Bldg. 1 Kings Hwy. Middletown 07748
• Croydon Hall 900 Leonardville Rd. Leonardo 07737

Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked or placed in drop boxes on or before 8 p.m. on Nov. 2, Election Day.

Initial Patch report: Middletown Twp. Committee Candidate Has A Criminal Record: Courts (Oct. 12)

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