A 43‑year‑old sergeant from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office faces third‑degree theft after an AirTag traced his home with a $10,000 camera bag dropped by photojournalist Angelina Katsanis during a Delaney Hall protest.

The incident unfolded after Katsanis was injured by a wooden board at the Newark detention‑center demonstration. She lost her gear while fleeing, and the bag’s tracking led authorities to the sergeant’s Sparta Township residence.

Prosecutors say body‑cam footage shows the officer handling a dark‑colored bag matching Katsanis’s description. A search warrant uncovered the gear, prompting the sergeant’s suspension without pay and a potential 3‑5 year sentence.

The case underscores growing scrutiny of law enforcement conduct amid nightly protests at Delaney Hall, where federal agents and state troopers have clashed with demonstrators, raising questions about accountability and public trust.