An assistant prosecutor in North Jersey has been accused of assaulting two women during his relationships with them.
David Fontoura, 37, was arrested Aug. 29 and charged with six counts of third- and fourth-degree aggravated assault, NJ.com reported Wednesday.
Fontoura was a lieutenant in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. He is also the grandson of longtime Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, who has held that position since 1991.
He was suspended without pay after his arrest, according to NJ.com.
The charges were connected to two victims, one woman who worked in the county sheriff’s office and another who worked in the prosecutor’s office, sources told NJ.com. The incidents allegedly occurred in 2019 and 2020.
Fontoura is accused of pulling a gun on the woman who worked for the sheriff’s office and also holding a knife to her neck in one incident, sources told RLS Media. He was also accused of using his influence to have the woman reassigned to a worse position.
Fontoura has denied the charges. He was released without bail after being booked in late August, NJ.com reported.
“The charges recently filed against Lt. Fontoura allegedly occurred between four and five years ago and were filed by two former girlfriends of his, years after he ended each relationship,” his defense attorney, Patrick Toscano, told the outlet.
Fontoura joined the Essex County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 before eventually moving to the prosecutor’s office. His grandfather, the county sheriff, said earlier this year he won’t seek reelection to the office he’s held for more than three decades.
Fontoura’s case was transferred to Mercer County due to potential conflicts of interest.
Essex County assistant prosecutor Thomas Fennelly told NJ.com that Fontoura was suspended immediately after charges were filed.
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