Former NJ state trooper pleads guilty to punching detained woman

SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A former New Jersey state trooper has been barred from public employment after he pleaded guilty to punching a woman while she was handcuffed nearly two years ago.

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General said 28-year-old Nicolas Hogan, of Gibbstown, admitted to punching a woman while she was detained in Upper Deerfield Township.

On Sept. 7, 2022, troopers identified her as an alleged trespasser of a residence. They found her walking in the middle of the road, seemingly inebriated.

Police determined she needed medical evaluation, but she became increasingly more distraught while being detained. As a result, officers handcuffed her in a police vehicle.

According to the Office of the Attorney General, the woman was weeping and asked for tissues but was not given any. Video reportedly shows her spitting fluid and mucus on the ground.

At one point, the woman spat in the direction of a trooper. Hogan yelled at her, and she then spit in his direction. Investigators said Hogan responded by punching her in the face while holding a metal flashlight in his hand.

The incident was captured on body-worn camera footage.

Hogan pleaded guilty on Thursday to aggravated assault. As part of the plea deal, he can never hold a job in a public role again. Prosecutors plan to recommend at a future hearing that he serve probation after he serves up to 364 days in county jail.