JERSEY CITY -- Former Jersey City Police Sgt. John Ransom was banned from ever holding public employment, but avoided prison when he was sentenced Friday for hitting a man with his police vehicle last year.
On Feb. 9, 2018, the 50-year-old pleaded guilty to the disorderly persons offense of simple assault in connection to the Aug. 6, 2017 incident in Audubon Park.
He admitted seeing an individual, later identified as Shiron Cooper, who was suspected of having been involved in a drug deal. Under questioning by defense attorney Danial Welsh, the 28-year veteran of the department admitted that while attempting to place Cooper under arrest, he drove recklessly and struck him with the police vehicle.
The officer acknowledged that Cooper suffered an injury as a result of his actions that day.
In a statement, Cooper's attorney, Tom Mirigliano, said, "Sgt. Ransom's sentence is yet another black eye on the Jersey City Police Department. While the defendant will be able to keep his generous pension and the chance of keeping a clean record, Shiron Cooper has to live with the nightmares of being run over with a truck by the same people who swore to protect him."
Ransom was originally charged with assault by auto in the fourth degree for the incident, which was captured on video. That charge is a criminal offense and carries a possible sentence of up to 18 months in prison upon conviction. A first-time offender would not receive prison time.
In accordance with the plea deal, he was ordered released with a conditional dismissal Friday. If he stays out of trouble for one year, the simple assault charge will be dismissed and he can apply to have it expunged from his record.
Ransom was also ordered to surrender his firearms, but Welsh said Ransom already had.
Ransom did not speak at the hearing. He was sentenced by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.