Affair Leads To Conviction Of Former Police Officer In South Jersey

MANTUA, NJ — A 46-year-old former police officer is guilty of official misconduct and computer crimes after his sexual affair led to a fight, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said.

Shaun J. Butler, of Mantua, was convicted on Thursday by jury on one count of second-degree official misconduct, one count of third-degree computer crimes involving unauthorized access, and one count of third-degree computer crimes involving access and disclosure.

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Butler was a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs sector of the Mantua Police Department on Sept. 11, 2021, when he was involved in off-duty sexual activities.

The husband of the woman with whom he was with found the two together in the couple's home. A fight then broke out.

Butler chose not to call 9-1-1 and elected for the Mantua Police dispatch number, where he did not identify himself as an officer.

He also would not answer questions from subordinate officers who responded regarding what led to the fight, according to officials.

During the following days, Butler went into restricted law enforcement databases using his access through Mantua Police in order to read the officers' reports.

This, authorities said, was in despite of warnings that the resource was only to be used for valid law enforcement reasons.

Butler then spoke about the material to the woman on the phone and in messages.

In these discussions, he told her that he can use his confidential access to adjust the case and prevent both of their embarrassment.

On Sept. 16, 2021, he went in and adjusted the subordinate officer's report with additional details that were attributed to that subordinate officer.

Butler's sentencing is set for Dec. 4.

He faces a maximum of 10 years in jail for the second-degree charge and a maximum of five years in jail for each third-degree offense.

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