New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Blog

A New Jersey man, Ryan Ward, paraded around Belmar, New Jersey claiming to be Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain until he was found to be a fraud.  Unfortunately, for Mr. Ward someone eventually figured out he was not the Yankee star.  As part of his sentence he must stay out of Belmar bars for two years.  In the Asbury Park Press, it was stated that:

"The so-called fake Joba confessed that he signed some 100 autographs for adoring fans, dated "many'' women and enjoyed free food and drinks.

"People were star-struck and wanted to hang out with me, take me places,'' said
Ward, 30, formerly of Asbury Park. ""It was a joke. That's the bottom line.''

Police were not amused. Ward was arrested in August and spent a day and a half in the county lockup, at one point facing a charge of criminal simulation, an indictable offense, though that charge later was downgraded to theft by deception."

New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Blog's Take:  Here we have reactions all across the board to this story.  I'm sure some people are wondering what is the big deal--lots of people tell fantasy storys when out at the bars.  What's the difference between this guy claiming he is Joba and somebody claiming he is the heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune.  The difference is that this person obtained items through false pretenses, which is against the law. 

Joba the Not thrown out of area bars for two years, February 12, 2009 Asbury Park Press

How the Imposter played his game, February 12, 2009 Asbury Park Press

 

Colts Defensive Tackle Darrell Reid, (of Freehold, NJ) was arrested in the early morning hours of February 8, 2009 for trespassing and disorderly conduct outside a nightclub in Indianapolis.  Mr. Reid pulled his vehicle into a parking lot, but Police stopped him from entering.  Mr. Reid explained that he knew the owner, but the Police informed him that club had reached its fire limit capacity.  However, Mr. Reid then attempted to use his status as a Colts player to demand entry.

New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Blog's Take:  Location, Location, Location.  This maxim applies mostly in real estate, but in this instance it applies in Criminal Law.  Allegedly, Mr. Reid used his status as a Colts player to demand entry, but was rebuffed by police.  However, Mr. Reid's vehicle was still partially on the public street.  The Marion County Prosecutor's Office has declined to pursue this case because Mr. Reid's vehicle was not completely on private property.  Moreover, the Prosecutor's office did not see the alleged conduct qualified as disorderly conduct under Indiana State Law.

While, the laws in Indiana and New Jersey may differ this is a helpful lesson to people in all jurisdictions.  It is not a good idea to get into a verbal altercation with police especially outside a crowded nightclub.  Mr. Reid won't be charged with any criminal acts, but due to the fact he is a public figure he still did significant damage to his reputation.  Although the charges were dropped most people only read the initial story describing the arrest and not the follow-up story explaining why the charges are dropped.

Colts Player Darrell Reid arrested, WTHR.com Feburary 8, 2009

Colts player Reid won't face charges in nightclub scuffle, WTHR.com February 9, 2009

Colts Reid won't face charges following arrest, USA Today February 9, 2009