A recent federal complaint alleges that a local man was unlawfully arrested and detained by police officers following a minor car accident, raising questions about law enforcement practices and constitutional rights in the community. The lawsuit was filed by Jaime A. Moncada in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on March 6, 2026, naming Lakewood Township, Chief Gregory H. Meyer, Officers Joseph Mandelbaum and Nicholas A. Cusanelli, and unnamed officers as defendants.
According to the complaint prepared by Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A., Jaime Moncada claims he was subjected to an unreasonable seizure in violation of his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights after being involved in a minor motor vehicle accident on March 7, 2024. The filing states that Patrolman Joseph Mandelbaum responded to the scene at approximately 5:41 p.m., where he interacted with Moncada for about 27 minutes before allegedly observing signs such as slow speech, red bloodshot eyes, and an odor of burnt marijuana.
Moncada denied any use of drugs or alcohol when questioned by Mandelbaum. Despite this denial, he complied with field sobriety tests requested by the officer. After these tests were conducted, Moncada was placed under arrest in public view “in front of business acquaintances and known friends/bystanders,” according to the complaint. Officer Mandelbaum then searched Moncada’s vehicle for intoxicants but found none.
The complaint further reports that Moncada was transported to the Lakewood Township Police Department where he submitted breath samples via an Alcotest breathalyzer apparatus; these yielded a result of 0.00. He remained detained until examined by Patrolman Nicholas Cusanelli, identified as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), who determined that Moncada was under the influence of cannabis at that time. Following this evaluation, Cusanelli requested—and Moncada provided—a urine sample for toxicology analysis.
Moncada received multiple summonses including one for operating a motor vehicle while impaired under New Jersey Statute N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. His urine sample was sent to the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences for analysis on April 1, 2024. On May 16, 2024, forensic scientist Christine Barrett issued a laboratory report stating that “No impairing drugs were confirmed after immunoassay and GC/MS screening.”
On June 13, 2024, all summonses against Moncada were dismissed in Lakewood Township Municipal Court due to lack of probable cause regarding his arrest and detainment.
The lawsuit alleges that “Defendants… unreasonably seized Plaintiff’s person and arrested him without probable cause” in violation of federal law (42 U.S.C §1983) and constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure. It also asserts municipal liability claims against Chief Meyer and Lakewood Township for failing to ensure proper training for officers regarding their authority under the Constitution.
The filing states: “Defendants Joseph Mandelbaum, Nicholas Cusanelli… were either not trained or poorly trained regarding their authority to arrest and detain persons under the Constitution.” It further alleges deliberate indifference from township leadership toward citizens’ constitutional rights due to inadequate training policies.
As relief from the court, Moncada seeks compensatory damages—including those for pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life—punitive damages against responsible parties, interest on any awarded sums, attorneys’ fees and costs associated with bringing suit.
The case is represented by attorney Giovanni Anzalone from Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A., with Civil Action No.: 3:26-cv-02368.
Source: 326cv02368_Moncada_v_Lakewood_Township_Complaint_District_New_Jersey.pdf
