r/crime • u/njdotcom • 8h ago
nj.com Fire chief invited colleagues over to train, sexually assaulted them instead, officials say
Robert Sinnott is accused of luring three firefighters from the Silverton Fire Company in Toms River, N.J. to his home under the guise of training, then restraining and sexually assaulting them in a series of encounters detailed in court records.
Some of Sinnott’s alleged crimes are outlined in an affidavit of probable cause.
When a subordinate arrived at Sinnott Jr.’s Toms River home in August 2022, Sinnott allegedly handcuffed him and put him in a headlock.
Sinnott then placed his groin into the victim’s hands and thrust while grunting, still clothed, as he took multiple photographs with a digital camera.
Another encounter with a different firefighter allegedly happened at Sinnott’s home the previous month — July 2022.
Sinnott allegedly used a mechanical device to “hog-tie” the man. Sinnott then climbed on top of the firefighter and sexually assaulted him while photographing the incident, according to the complaint.
A third firefighter was victimized on Feb. 10, 2023, after he and Sinnott inspected a fire hydrant at the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, the complaint alleges.
Sinnott is accused of restraining the man in his chief’s vehicle and pushing the firefighter’s head into the dashboard.
Sinnott then grabbed the firefighter’s arm and forced the firefighter’s hand onto Sinnott’s groin, according to the court document.
Sinnott, laughing, eventually released the firefighter. The firefighter reported the incident to another person, who later gave a statement, according to the affidavit.
Two weeks later, Sinnott grabbed the same man in a bear hug and rubbed his crotch against the victim’s buttocks while mocking him.