A married couple from New Jersey, both serving as law enforcement officers, have been arrested and charged with severe sex-related offenses involving children.
According to NJ.com, the incident came to light following a tip about explicit content on a social media platform.
Brian DiBiasi and Elizabeth DiBiasi, residents of Hamilton, New Jersey, were apprehended at their home by the New Jersey State Police.
Brian, a Hamilton police officer, and Elizabeth, a sergeant with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, now face grave allegations that have shocked their community.
The charges were formally announced on Wednesday. Brian DiBiasi is accused of recording, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse material, as well as endangering the welfare of a child. His wife faces charges related to endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct in the presence of minors.
The Investigation Begins with a Digital Tip
The alarming discovery was initiated from a tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's tip line on Tuesday. This crucial clue led State Police investigators to uncover explicit images and videos on the social media app Kik, which were traced back to the DiBiasis.
During the investigation, it was found that Elizabeth DiBiasi appeared nude in images with children, some of whom were also without clothes. The documentation suggested that the couple partook in sexual activities while the children were present, according to court documents.
Further probing into the couple's activities uncovered that Brian DiBiasi had admitted to owning the Kik account under investigation and to distributing the illicit files during a raid at their home.
Community and Official Reactions
Following her arrest, Elizabeth DiBiasi was suspended without pay from her job, which she held for 18 years with an annual salary of $134,000. Brian, who earned $136,000 a year, had served for 21 years before these charges put his career on hold.
Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler, along with Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin and Hamilton Township Chief of Police Ken DeBoskey, quickly issued statements condemning the alleged behaviors. These leaders emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for such criminal activities, particularly involving children.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin highlighted the seriousness of the allegations, particularly disturbing given the couple’s roles in law enforcement. Platkin’s office, working with various state and county agencies, intends to rigorously pursue justice in this case to protect children from such harm.
Larger Issues at Play in Law Enforcement Integrity
A quote from Jack Kemler, reflecting his stringent stance, further elaborated: "To be very clear, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office does not tolerate such alleged incidents... Like many employers, we cannot control how people behave outside of the workplace and at home."
Meanwhile, Attorney General Platkin expressed his dismay over the situation, saying, "Sexual offenses against children are among the most serious crimes we charge. It’s especially disturbing when the accused are members of law enforcement."
Both the community and law enforcement agencies are left grappling with the implications of these charges as they await more details from the ongoing investigation and upcoming court hearings. The DiBiasis are currently detained in Monmouth County Jail, facing scrutiny under the law they once upheld.
