Criminal charges have been filed against Robert M. Sinnott, Jr., a former chief of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company in Toms River and retired Island Heights police officer, according to an announcement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
Sinnott, who previously lived in Toms River and now resides in Cape Coral, Florida, faces four counts of criminal sexual contact (fourth degree) and one count of official misconduct (second degree). The charges follow an OPIA investigation that found Sinnott allegedly forced multiple firefighters into non-consensual sexual acts while serving in leadership roles at the fire company.
According to authorities, incidents occurred on several dates in 2022 and 2023. Sinnott is accused of isolating victims at his residence, the firehouse, or other locations. He allegedly handcuffed or restrained them under the pretense of “training” before forcing sexual contact. In some cases, victims reported that Sinnott took photographs while they were restrained.
On December 4, 2025, Sinnott was arrested by the Cape Coral Police SWAT Team with assistance from OPIA. Search warrants were executed on his home, person, and vehicle. He was transported to Lee County Jail pending extradition to New Jersey.
Second-degree charges could result in five to ten years in state prison and fines up to $150,000. Fourth-degree charges carry potential sentences of up to 18 months imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.
Deputy Attorney General Diana Bibb is prosecuting the case for OPIA’s Corruption Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Deputy Chief Laura Croce, Bureau Director Jeffrey J. Manis, and OPIA Director Gibson.
The public is encouraged to report any additional information about Sinnott’s conduct by contacting OPIA Detective Brandon Mastropasqua at 609-960-3768 or Detective Malikah Daniels at 856-414-8855. There is also a toll-free tip line at 1-844-OPIA-TIP for reporting corruption. The Attorney General’s Office offers rewards up to $25,000 for tips leading to convictions involving public corruption.
“Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Defense counsel for Sinnott is William P. Cunningham of Brick Township.
