A former New Jersey fire official is accused of luring three firefighters to his home for training, then restraining and forcing them into sexual contact without consent.
New Jersey prosecutors accuse former Silverton Volunteer Fire Company chief and retired Island Heights police officer Robert M. Sinnott, Jr. of four counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of official misconduct.
Sinnott, who now resides in Florida, is accused of creating situations to get his intended victims alone in his Toms River home, a New Jersey firehouse or other locations in 2022 and 2023.
“He then allegedly handcuffed them under the guise of ‘training,’ or otherwise physically restrained them, before forcing acts of sexual contact upon them,” prosecutors claim. “In some instances, the victims reported that Sinnott took photographs of them while they were restrained.”
Court records show Sinnott allegedly handcuffed him and put one of his victim’s in a headlock, then “placed his crotch into the victim’s hands and thrust while grunting,” NJ Advance Media reported.
Another man reportedly said Sinnott used a mechanical device to “hog-tie” him, then climbed on top of the victim and violated him.
The 52-year-old suspect was arrested Thursday in Cape Coral and is awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
The sexual misconduct charges carry an 18-month prison sentence. The New Jersey State’s Attorney’s office said the misconduct charge Sinnott faces could put him behind bars for 10 years and include a $150,000 penalty.
Prosecutors contend that the firefighters Sinnott is accused of violating saw him as “a mentor and role model.”
