Andrew LaBruno, a former mayor of Dumont, New Jersey, and current police sergeant in Jersey City, has been arrested for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a child he met online. The 44-year-old faces charges of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
According to police, LaBruno made arrangements to meet the victim through social media and arrived at their home in Englewood, New Jersey, on Monday while the child was alone. He allegedly sprayed an unknown substance into his hand and placed it over the victim's mouth, causing dizziness, before sexually assaulting the child while they were physically helpless.
Police responded to a 911 call and found the victim suffering from cognitive impairment. LaBruno, a married father of two, served as mayor of Dumont from 2020 to 2023 and ran for a state assembly seat earlier this month as a Democrat, losing by 1,888 votes.
His campaign website emphasised family values and concerns about the future for children, stating that as a sergeant he had worked to protect families and build trust. Following his arrest, LaBruno has been suspended from the police force without pay.
