Montville Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Attempting to Disarm a Law Enforcement Officer
Published on April 01, 2014
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Honorable Mary Gibbons Whipple, J.S.C. sentenced Michael Trogani, 38 years old, of Montville, New Jersey, to 5 years in State Prison in connection with attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer and 18 months in connection to resisting arrest.
In October, 2013, defendant pled guilty to Second Degree Attempt to Disarm a Law Enforcement Officer and Fourth Degree Resisting Arrest.
On October 10, 2011, Trogani fled Pep Boys Automotive with a stolen ignition coil. The employee working at the time chased the defendant out of the store and notified police of the defendant's description as well as his direction of flight. Parsippany Police received information from dispatch that the defendant was a bald headed male, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. Shortly after this information was broadcasted, Parsippany Officer Al Keiser traveled to the area where the defendant would likely run. He observed a male matching the description of the defendant running towards Grange Road. Officer Keiser exited his patrol car and began to chase the defendant. As the Officer closed the gap between himself and defendant, he drew his firearm and ordered the defendant to the ground. The defendant failed to comply and continued to run. Officer Keiser re-holstered his firearm and pursued on foot. Eventually, Officer Keiser caught up to defendant and tackled him to the ground. A violent struggle ensued.
Defendant struck Officer Keiser in the chest with his hands. The defendant then attempted to disarm Officer Keiser. Specifically, defendant placed both hands on Officer Keiser's firearm and began to forcibly remove the weapon from its holster. The Officer had to react. Using a defensive tactic, Officer Keiser used downward force on the defendant's hands to remove his grip from the Officer's firearm. When Officer Keiser was able to regain control of his weapon, he removed his pepper spray from his belt and sprayed the defendant in the face. The defendant became enraged and got to his feet. He began to run away once again. Officer Keiser eventually caught up to the defendant a second time and tackled him to the ground. Once on the ground, the defendant began to kick and punch Officer Keiser in the chest and leg area. The Officer attempted to handcuff defendant as he was being struck. Eventually, other members of the Parsippany Police Department arrived on scene and helped Officer Keiser gain control of the defendant. Defendant was arrested and charged.
Judge Whipple found defendant to be a danger to the community. She denied his entry into Morris County Drug Court on that basis. As to the Second Degree Attempt to Disarm a Law Enforcement Officer charge, Judge Whipple sentenced defendant to 5 years in State Prison. As to the Fourth Degree Resisting Arrest charge, Judge Whipple sentenced defendant to 18 months in State Prison to run concurrent with the Second Degree charge.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp stated: Society depends upon respect for police officers to maintain public safety. When that is lost significant danger is created for the public. Today's sentence recognized the seriousness of the offense and the risk that this defendant posed. We are grateful that Officer Keiser was not seriously injured and that he, Chief Philipps and other Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers were present in Court today to emphasize the gravity of this case.
Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Anthony Scibetta represented the State at the sentencing.
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Knapp thanked Police Chief Paul Philipps and the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Assistant Prosecutors and Investigators from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office General Investigations Unit for the efforts resulting in today's sentence.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.