Mercer County sheriff's officer put gun in woman's mouth: court records

Ken Serrano, Asbury Park Press
·2 min read
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PLUMSTED − A Mercer County sheriff's officer has been jailed and suspended following allegations that he put his handgun in the mouth of his intimate partner and threatened to kill her last week, authorities said.

Matthew Sickler, 35, was arrested by Plumsted police and charged with criminal mischief, aggravated assault with a firearm, resisting arrest and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose in the incident that occurred in the New Egypt section of the township late Thursday into early Friday, according to court records.

According to the complaint, Sickler broke the woman's iPhone, hit her in the ribs and put his gun to her head and the barrel in her mouth, threatening to kill her. He is also accused of eluding Plumsted police by "running and hiding in the woods," according to the complaint.

Sickler appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and put his own gun to his head and threatened to kill himself during the incident, according to the complaint.

Sickler was taken to Ocean County Jail in Toms River where he remained Tuesday. Information on an attorney for Sickler was unavailable.

Mercer County Sheriff's Officer Matthew Sickler was arrested and charged in a domestic violence incident in Plumsted on Feb. 24. 2023.
Mercer County Sheriff's Officer Matthew Sickler was arrested and charged in a domestic violence incident in Plumsted on Feb. 24. 2023.

In August, Sickler was charged with simple assault, obstruction and hindering in a fight at a Best Western hotel on Route 206 in Bordentown Township. He was placed on desk duty and was facing an internal affairs investigation and an investigation by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, according to the Mercer County Sheriff's Office.

Following the latest charges, Sickler has been suspended without pay, and administrative action is pending the outcome of his court proceedings, the office said.

The most severe offense Sickler has been charged with, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.

Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler issued the following statement:

"The Mercer County Sheriff's Office prides itself on holding its officers to a high standard. As sheriff, I have no tolerance for such incredibly bad and dangerous behavior by an officer. (Sickler) has violated the special trust and confidence in his role as a law enforcement officer."

Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Local sheriff's officer jailed amid claims he put gun in woman's mouth