Edward O'Neil, a retired New Jersey State Police major, left his loaded handgun unattended in an unlocked Cadillac Escalade as he sought sexual favors at an Interstate 78 rest area in Hunterdon County, according to a state police report.
A retired New Jersey State Police major left a loaded handgun unattended in his unlocked vehicle as he sought sexual favors last month at an Interstate 78 rest area in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County, according to a state police report.
The vehicle and gun belonged to Edward M. O’Neil III, 53, of Ridge Road, Harmony Township, who retired in 2006 and now heads Camelot Security Associates LLC, the Belvidere firm that provides security for the Phillipsburg School District.
No charges have been filed.
Troopers returned the gun to O’Neil after they found him Oct. 29 in the sleeper cab of a tractor-trailer also parked at the rest area, according to the report obtained by The Express-Times through an open public records request.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating whether any weapon violations occurred. The office’s chief of detectives, Dan Hurley, said a decision is likely later this week.
“Other than that, we were not involved in this matter and did not respond to it,” Hurley said.
O’Neil’s attorney Friday night denied “any claim, rumor or innuendo of any improper or unlawful conduct” by the retired major, who headed an intelligence unit for state police and coordinated New Jersey’s 9/11 response.
State police Acting Maj. Gerald Lewis said the prosecutor’s office is reviewing the incident.
According to the report, a trooper approached a white Cadillac Escalade at the rest area 8 miles east of Easton shortly after 7 p.m. after noticing it parked there for 30 to 40 minutes.
The report released by state police had names redacted; a separate copy obtained by the newspaper was complete.
Looking in the vehicle, a trooper spotted a holstered semiautomatic handgun in the opened center console, the report said.
The trooper entered the Escalade and retrieved the gun. Inside, the trooper also found O'Neil's wallet, state police retirement badge and some clothing — slacks, shoes and socks scattered in the back, according to the report. The trooper secured the gun in his patrol vehicle “after retrieving and making the weapon safe,” according to the report. A law enforcement source confirmed the gun was loaded.
The trooper called for assistance from other troopers to check on O’Neil’s well-being and encountered a trucker whose tractor-trailer was parked behind the Escalade, the report shows.
While initially uncooperative, the trucker told troopers O’Neil had approached his rig that night and asked him for sexual favors, the report states. The driver, who is from New York and whose name is being withheld by The Express-Times because he is not the subject of an investigation, told troopers he complied with O’Neil’s request and allowed him into the truck, according to the police report.
Troopers found O’Neil covered with a blanket in the sleeping compartment; he put on shorts, a jacket and sneakers before getting out of the rig, the report says.
O’Neil told troopers he pulled into the rest area in Bethlehem Township, N.J., to urinate and began conversing with the truck driver, according to the report. He said the driver invited him into the cab to continue the conversation out of the cool weather.
O’Neil did not return phone messages Friday and no one answered at the Harmony Township home that property records show is owned by Edward and Joan O’Neil.
At Camelot Security Associates on Hardwick Street, Belvidere, a man who answered the door Friday said O’Neil was unavailable.
His attorney, Washington-based Leonard Artigliere, issued a statement Friday night.
“We have not had the opportunity to review, investigate or even read the report alluded to,” Artigliere said. “It would therefore be inappropriate to comment.
“The career, honor, reputation and integrity of Mr. O’Neil speaks for itself with a strength beyond words. However, to be absolutely clear, any claim, rumor or innuendo of any improper or unlawful conduct is denied. Any such claims will be dealt with in the appropriate fashion.”
O’Neil had a leadership role in New Jersey’s terrorist attack response.
O’Neil worked for the New Jersey State Police for 25 years. He was the commanding officer of the state police Intelligence Section, according to the Camelot Security Associates website; he was also the commander of the state police Emergency Management Section.
He earns a monthly pension of $7,314.71, according to The Star-Ledger newspaper.
According to the Camelot website, O’Neil was a lieutenant when he was assigned as the state coordinating officer for the World Trade Center disaster on Sept. 11, 2001.
He served as on-scene commander at the Forward Command Post established at Liberty State Park in Jersey City and coordinated New Jersey’s emergency response to the disaster, the website says.
In May, the Phillipsburg School District hired O’Neil’s private security firm for one year to patrol school campuses and events such as football games. The $375,000 contract expires in July. Its approval led to the laying off of 14 security guards who had been district employees.
Phillipsburg schools Superintendent Mark B. Miller said Friday he would discuss the incident report — in particular the handgun left abandoned — with district attorneys and the school board to determine any potential ramifications on the contract.
“I’m concerned about the safety of my kids at the schools,” he said Friday. “Since this is the first time I’m hearing this, I have to contact the district’s legal counsel.”
Miller said O’Neil, as owner of the security firm, visits the schools occasionally. O’Neil has a security director on site, Miller said.
“I have a concern and that concern has to be addressed,” he said. “I have to find out what the next step has to be.”
© 2010 lehighvalleylive.com. All rights reserved.
33 comments:
Mr. O'neil is a very sick men. a retire major whith a prety good pension could have the disensy of going to a motel, not just that we have to realise that if he is able to do this with grown men imagine what he could done with kids from school, a men with thise type of sexual behavior should not be alout to be in charge of any security for our high school kids.
i have posted a comment but forgot to put my initials
JE#7974
Mr Oneil a retired major of the state police left his gun on the seat of his cadillac escalade with the door unlocked at a busy trunk stop. Mr Oneil put alot of people life in danger if that gun fall into the wrong hands. luckly that wasnt the cases. he wasnt thinking he only had one thing on his mind and that was SEX!!! with a trunk driver. Mr Oneil could of went to a five star hotel he could afford it he's monthly pension is $7,314.71. he also owns a security business which he provides security for schools. it raises a question in my mind if he's hard up for sex with trunk driver what about the children he suppose to be protecting.
i have posted a comment but forget to put mt initials T.C.#3006
Mr.O'Neil as a retired cop with that many years in police work and security should have been wiser anymore careful with his gun. He should of known better that to leave his gun in plain few with the doors open in such a public area. Thank god it was a police officer who seen it and not a criminal or a child. SK
Mr. O'neil sounds like hes been going through coming out for awhile. So before we judge him, lets think about why he would have done this in such a careless way. I believe that this his cry for help. Hopefully he comes to term with this and accept who he because I'm sure this has affected his family. SJC 1687
Mr. O'neil was careless and sloppy. You would expect more form a veteran state trooper to not leave his gun out in the open or even secretly having sex with a truck driver. He should of been smarter with his actions. D.T 2444
I.D.8527
Although this didnt turn out as bad as it could have, this was a very bad decision. This was very irresponsible. That gun could have got into the hands of the wrong person and who knows what would have happened. Its obvious that if he is this hard up for sex, nine times out of te he is the same way with the kids, he is supposed to be protecting.Its really a shame.
It makes you wonder how long has this been going on...was he doing this while he was on the job????
Inquiring minds want to know.
Imjstsayin'
It was very irresponsible for him to go and leave a gun out like that and knowing the consequences that bad. You want sex that bad from another male and cant figure out a better way to do things. Instead of him trying to be slick about doing things he could have made positive efforts to help someone else. Maybe his secret closet needed to stay closed.
lc9671
That was very irreponsible. What if some one would of got hold of his weapon. He could of at least Hid everything in sight and then left. I don't think he should be punished but I hope he acts more responsible next time.
I think he should absolutly be punished. If a random newark cop left his loaded gun in an unlocked car in a high traffic rest stop (not to mention while he preforms fellatio on a truck driver) he would definatly be punished and probably lose his job. This guys already retired but his reputation and integrity are scarred for life. -LMD 7029
I think that he should be punished. Just because he is a police officer can things be sweeped under the rug? Lead by example..
sb8642
JN 8831
It is very unfortunate situation that a professional man conducts himself this way, in public. This man conduct was a deviant act.
let me guesss another state trooper gets away with his misconduct. if it was a normal person they would have a high ass bail and them some just for leaving a loaded gun in the car
Oh Wow! Another case of State Trooper madness. Its amazing how the prosecution can turn the other cheek in this matter. Isn't it as serious as any other charge? Grant it he is innocent until proving guilty. But different rules only apply to certain people. And with that being said. " Way to go Mr. O'Neil" you set a wonderful example for our children who need to make good choices. What a role model...rsi-3774
The man obviously didnt have intentions of being walked in on. I think he should be punished because he put other people in harm by acting the way he did. as far of the other half of the story i understand why he never came out because of the important role he stood in new jersey state police. It just sucks that everybody has to find about about both things. Its a really horrible way to come out LMD 7029
WoW???!!!What was going through his mind? If i was a parent i would be very concerned...lb9816
first of all how can a retired satate police officer do this kind of stupit mistake? he is very irresponsible person left the gun inside the car with door was open. and if i was a parent i would be really concern about my child in that school.its a shame on him as a retired police officer. GY0229
Mr O'Neil was careless and sloppy but who are we to judge him. Let the guy have a wild night he deserves it. Someone can serve his whole life to the country, but can not make any mistake because people forget everthing and crucify him. It is his private life and he is not hurting nobody. If he is a sex offender or doing something illegal he is not, so leave him alone. AV5309
I needed a moment to recapture my emotions on the matter. First, my compliments to the trooper for his observations with respect to this matter. He was only doing his job and he was doing well.
Next, leaving a loaded gun in your vehicle is not a good idea. Luckily, the vehicle was not vandalized and the weapon was returned to the proper owner.
Thirdly, I wish I could have such a good pension but I have not done anything to earn it. He is trained and highly thought of enough to coordinate New Jersey’s emergency response to disaster not to mention a few other good titles.
Next, nobody likes to lose their job but in the security field contracts rule. So when a contract expires and you do not lose your security job then consider yourself lucky.
Truck drivers, truck stops and swinging dicks needing to urinate leave me with a feeling of uneasiness. But who I am I to judge. I have traveled the highways in New Jersey and have never felt uncomfortable nor have I ever been solicited by anyone at a rest stop. However, I have seen the state police and they always appear to be working.
Finally a person’s sexual preference should not be used to discriminate or destroy careers. Two consulting adults are just that. As long as no child is being abused or solicited and no evidence is found to prove otherwise. Why should we attack someone just for the hell of it?
Please keep in mind this happen over a year ago and my response is just an opinion from reading this article.
I find this rather hilarious. To think of a man who served the law, retired, and practically was caught with his pants down. He obviously was soliciting sex, but what makes this man stupid is leaving a loaded weapon unattended. That is completely unacceptable and he loses a lot of credibility soliciting sex at his age; then again it his age it maybe understandable.
He should be charged because he left his weapon on guarded to have sex with a women when he was on duty. What if someone took his gun and committed a crime in the same area then what can he say nothing.
Thomas
i think that just because he is a retired police officer that is why he is not getting charges placed against him. the guy left a loaded gun on guarded to have sex with a female while is on duty. is this where my tax dollars pay for? to pay a police offer to have sex with a female and leave his gun loaded and unguarded in his vehicle.
I think that any charges that can be brought against him should- his irresponsibility could have led to a lot of damage and sometimes you need to be taught a lesson that you are invisible. However, I really dont care because we already know all he will get is the embarassment of his stupidity.
He should be punishedjust like anyone else. Guns are very dangerous
How irrespondable.
swright
very distubed aand careless man wonder how he made it so far as a policing without getting fired earlier
5719
so this is what retired state troopers do on their free time. haha just kidding professor. seriously though, this guy meant business. he had a gun in the car and a "loaded pistol" in the truck cabin. probably part of an "undercover investigation".
s.d. 4954
Of course no charges would be filed. This is what the laws condones. His actions were very stupid and what if someone would have come across the gun who knows this would have probably become a more tragic event. In all his years of service he should have known. He was sorry worried about gettng freak on that became so careless. I can't image what other things that he was involved with.
Of course no charges would be filed. This is what the laws condones. His actions were very stupid and what if someone would have come across the gun who knows this would have probably become a more tragic event. In all his years of service he should have known. He was sorry worried about gettng freak on that became so careless. I can't image what other things that he was involved with.
I wonder what has become of this? Is this foolish man still living in Harmony? Is he still receiving that ridiculously obscene amount of money?
I felt badly for his family.
The embarrassment and humilation this idiot caused for his very supportive wife is cringing..(I don't care, if he was a super duper cop, which I doubt) Lets hope she showed him the door.He should have been charged. I guess the only compensation, is that his name is now known and not to be trusted. I wonder if his business has been affected?
he just got the bid to do security for phillipsburg district to wat anf protect kids , i dont want this man anywhere around any kids.
this joker just got the bid to be security for phillipsburg nh school district.
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