Christopher J. McKenna was charged with releasing arrest mug shots of Radazz Hearns, who was shot seven times by police in August
MERCER COUNTY - A Mercer County sheriff's officer was charged Thursday with illegally giving a newspaper three arrest photos of the teenager who was shot in Trenton seven times by police in August.
Christopher J. McKenna (File photo) Christopher J. McKenna, 37, of Hamilton, a Mercer County sheriff's officer assigned to the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse, is charged with wrongful access and disclosure of information, a third-degree crime, according to the Office of the Attorney General.
The Attorney General's Office said McKenna on or around Aug. 21 used a restricted police database to get the arrest photos of the teen.
The Attorney General's office has never named the teen, nor anyone else involved in the shooting.
Radazz Hearns, the teen who was shot during a confrontation with two State Police troopers and a Mercer County sheriff's officer on Aug.7, was identified by family members.
McKenna, a sheriff's officer since 2003, provided the photos to the newspaper, The Trentonian, which published them. Juvenile records are sealed and it is illegal to disclose them, the attorney general's office said.
MORE: Radazz Hearns' mother wants release of juvenile record probed
Before accessing the photo database through a restricted law enforcement website, users are required to accept the site's terms of use. The terms include the statement:
"Information contained on this Website may only be used for law enforcement purposes. Except law enforcement agencies, information contained on this Website shall not be disseminated to any other individual or entity.... Unauthorized use of the Website may result in criminal prosecution," the attorney general's office said.
Rev. Lukata Mjumbe, of the United Mercer Interfaith Organization, said he on Thursday spoke with Hearns' mother, Slimes Jackson. Mjumbe said Jackson was "encouraged" by the charges.
"We are excited to see that this first step has been taken,'' he said. "We're encouraged that the New Jersey Attorney General has actually charged the officer for the leaking of Hearns' photos."
Hearns' attorney, Samuel A. Anyan Jr., said Thursday that New Jersey legislators and local authorities have a strong interest in protecting citixens' rights, especially minors.
"The leaking of sensitive records of juveniles must be taken seriously," Anyan said. "The arrest of this officer for allegedly leaking juvenile records is inexcusable and this officer should and must be punished if found guilty. To allow such actions, puts the civil rights of all New Jersey minors at risk."
It was not clear Thursday if McKenna was suspended from his $69,525 job. A call to the Mercer County Sheriff's Office was not immediately returned.
Third degree crimes carry a sentence of three- to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, according to the attorney general's office.
EARLIER: Shooting of teen 'completely justified,' trooper's lawyer says
The two officers who shot Hearns have been identified as State Police Detective Doug Muraglia and Mercer County Sheriff's Officer James Udijohn in an investigative document obtained by NJ Advance Media. State Police Trooper Blair Astbury was the third officer identified, but he did not fire his weapon.
Hearns has since been charged with aggravated assault, possession of a handgun and possession of a defaced firearm. Hearns' attorney has denied his client had a gun.
Hearns, who is now 15, will be tried in juvenile court after authorities decided against seeking to have the case moved up to adult court.
Keith Brown may be reached at kbrown@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBrownTrenton. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
