March 11--A former State Police sergeant pleaded guilty today for altering numbers on the license plates of his car while leading an unauthorized escort of a high-speed sports car caravan to Atlantic City in 2012.
Ex-Sgt. Nadir Nassry, 47, of Phillipsburg, led the March 20 caravan, and enlisted another trooper, Joseph Ventrella, 29, of Bloomingdale, to help commit the felony.
The troopers allegedly escorted a caravan of 25 to 30 luxury sports cars on a drive from New York to Atlantic City that reached speeds of 100 mph.
Nassry, a 26-year veteran, admitted he used black electrical tape to change the numbers on the license plates of his car in order to conceal his participation in the unauthorized escort, according to the state Attorney General, Jeffrey Chiesa.
Ventrella, a seven-year veteran, agreed to waive indictment and be charged by accusation, but did not plead guilty.
Nassry must forfeit his job and be permanently barred from any other law enforcement public employment position in the state, according to Chiesa.
"These troopers violated standards and betrayed the public's trust, undermining public safety and the reputation of the force (in the process)," Chiesa said. "Both men have ended their law enforcement careers, and one will have a felony record for the rest of his life."
If the court allows it, Ventrella will be allowed to apply for the Middlesex County Pre-Trial Intervention Program, and if he successfully completes it, the charges will be dismissed.
Former New York Giants football player Brandon Jacobs was also involved in the caravan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2013 - The Press of Atlantic City, Pleasantville, N.J.
