Former first aid official pleads guilty to theft

On Nov. 13, Mark Campbell, 35, of Monmouth Beach, the former treasurer of the Monmouth Beach First Aid Squad, pleaded guilty to theft by deception, a second-degree crime, and endangering the welfare of a child, a fourth-degree crime.

Campbell will be sentenced Feb. 23. Consistent with the plea agreement, Campbell is expected to receive a five-year New Jersey State Prison sentence and sign a civil judgment in favor of the Monmouth Beach First Aid Squad in the amount of approximately $146,000.

The investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office revealed that between November 2000 and January 2006, Campbell misappropriated approximately $146,000 from the Monmouth Beach First Aid Squad. As sole signator on the Monmouth Beach First Aid Squad bank account, Campbell had the bank issue him an ATM/debit card associated with that account. Campbell utilized the debit card to steal money from the account, according to a release from the Prosecutor's Office, which said Campbell spent the money on himself for vacations, personal goods and ordering items on the Internet.

On Feb. 17, a search warrant was executed at Campbell's home during which a computer was seized. A forensic examination of the computer was conducted by the Prosecutor's Computer Crimes Unit. Fifteen photographs depicting child pornography downloaded by Campbell were discovered on his computer, the release said.

Forensic examination revealed that Campbell had created files on his computer to store these illicit photographs and videos. The possession of child pornography constitutes the basis of the endangering the welfare of a child charge.

"Campbell ... breached both his duty to the squad and the duty of trust bestowed upon him by the citizens of Monmouth Beach," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin. "His conduct constitutes an egregious violation of the public trust. The public is entitled to have leaders of volunteer organizations behave honorably, appropriately and in the best interests of the municipality."

The case was investigated by the Prosecutor's Office and the Monmouth Beach Police Department. The Monmouth Beach First Aid Squad cooperated completely throughout the course of the investigation.