Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano Arraigned in Boston on Assault and Kidnapping Charges

Allegations in Boston

• 🎯 Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and assault and battery on a family or household member.
• 📌 The alleged incident occurred in September at a Boston hotel while Veneziano was in town for a Yankees-Red Sox game.
• ⚡ Prosecutors claim Veneziano was physically abusive, including headbutting the victim, dragging her by her legs, and preventing her from leaving the hotel room.
• ⚠️ Hotel security alerted police after hearing the victim say, "You hurt me."

Legal Proceedings and Community Reaction

• ⚖️ A grand jury indictment followed the victim's subsequent contact with the police.
• 👏 Despite the charges, members and friends from Veneziano's New Jersey community traveled to Boston to support him.
• 📰 The borough's mayor stated that the allegations came as a shock and that they were not informed by the chief himself.

Suspension and Prior Legal Issues

• 🚨 Veneziano, who became Totowa's police chief in 2020, has been suspended without pay.
• 🚗 Court records reveal Veneziano faced DUI and reckless driving charges in February in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
• 🚗 As part of a plea deal for the earlier charges, Veneziano was required to place a breathalyzer on his police vehicle.

Bail and Trial Information

• 💰 For the Boston case, Veneziano is expected to post $25,000 cash bail.
• 🔒 He will be required to wear a monitoring device until his trial, scheduled for October.