Andover Township, NJ – Prior felon arrested with rifle, heroin, scale FREE TO GO under NJ Bail Reform

Christopher Benvenuto, 31, was arrested after a routine traffic stop with a Ruger SR22 rifle, a 12-inch dagger, heroin, cocaine, a digital scale, and hypodermic syringes.

Benvenuto, a prior felon, was charged with third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree certain persons not to have weapons, third-degree possession of cocaine, fourth-degree possession of prohibited weapons, third-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and a disorderly persons offense for possession of hypodermic syringes.

Benvenuto was subsequently released after processing and FREE TO GO under NJ Bail Reform after the Arnold Foundation’s “Pretrial Risk Assessment” tool determined that he was not a danger to the community or a flight risk and therefore should not be subject to any accountable release – just a “promise” to appear.


More “validated pretrial risk assessment” Failures.

New Jersey Bail Reform, Risk Assessments, and Pretrial Release Services…

  • ZERO Accountability
  • ZERO Deterrent
  • ZERO Supervision
  • ZERO concern for victims
  • ZERO Bail…just a “pinky promise” to return
  • Bail Reform – Dangerous, Reckless, and a Taxpayer Burden

Newton man facing weapon, drug charges

(reported by New Jersey Herald – Aug 24 2017)

Having a rifle, a dagger and drugs in his possession led to the arrest of a Newton man on charges including unlawful possession of a weapon, police said.

Christopher Benvenuto, 31, was charged with third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree certain persons not to have weapons, third-degree possession of cocaine, fourth-degree possession of prohibited weapons, third-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and a disorderly persons offense for possession of hypodermic syringes.

At 3:44 p.m., Aug. 9, an Andover Township police officer initiated a motor vehicle stop on Route 206.

During an investigation, the driver — identified as Benvenuto — had in his possession a Ruger SR22 rifle, a 12-inch dagger, heroin, cocaine, a digital scale, and hypodermic syringes, police said.

Benvenuto was processed and has been released pending a court appearance.


You’ve been LIED to New Jersey…NJ Bail Reform is RECKLESS, DANGEROUS, and YOU are PAYING for it.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


NJ – CALL TO ACTION: Repeal and Replace failing NJ Bail Reform