Ex NJ mayor, cop drugged, sexually assaulted child he met online: prosecutors

A Democratic ex New Jersey mayor and current police sergeant was arrested Monday for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a child he met online, officials announced Tuesday.Jersey City Police Sgt.Andrew LaBruno, 44 — who unsuccessfully ran for a state assembly seat in the Garden State’s election earlier this month — went to the Englewood home of a child he met online Monday and sprayed “an unknown substance into his hand” before “placing it over the victim’s mouth and nose, causing the victim dizziness,” according to a criminal complaint.LaBruno, a married dad of two who is the former mayor of the Bergen County town of Dumont, then sexually assaulted the child who was “physically helpless” from the drugging — all while the victim was home alone, the complaint alleges.LaBruno, who ran on the the Democratic ticket this year for the 39th legislative district in Bergen County, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.Authorities said they had enough probably cause evidence to arrest LaBruno, including statements he made at the scene of the crime captured on body worn cameras, the victim’s account and “corroborating physical evidence” taken from the scene and from “actors,” the complaint says.Cops responded to the scene after a call was made to 911 and found the victim was suffering from “cognitive impairment,” the complaint says.The victim was brought to a local hospital for treatment, the complaint says.LaBruno is currently being held without bail in Bergen County Jail and is expected to appear in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack later Tuesday.He’s has been suspended without pay, according to a report by ABC 7.It was not immediately known who was representing LaBruno in the case.LaBruno’s campaign website site touts the fact that he’s a family man who has worked in public service for years and founded his own charity.LaBruno was born and raised in J...