A state police sergeant and a second trooper who were involved in an unauthorized police escort in Atlantic City last year have forfeited their jobs, Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced on Monday, March 11.

Sgt. First Class Nadir Nassry, 47, of Phillipsburg, plead guilty to altering the numbers on the license plates of his car with black electrical tape on Monday, according to Chiesa. The crime is a fourth-degree charge of falsifying or tampering with records, Chiesa said. In altering the license plate, he was concealing his participation in the crime on March 30, 2012, Chiesa said.

Nassry, a trooper for 26 years, automatically forfeits his job as a result of the plea, and is barred from any law enforcement position or public employment in New Jersey permanently, Chiesa said. According to Chiesa, the state will recommend Nassry be sentenced to a term of probation, and sentencing is scheduled for April 29.

State trooper Joseph Ventrella, 29, of Bloomingdale, a seven-year veteran of the State Police, also appeared in court on Monday in connection with the unauthorized escort. He agreed to waive indictment, and to be charged with fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records, according to Chiesa. He didn't plead guilty, Chiesa said.

Ventrella will be allowed to apply for and enroll in the Middlesex County Pre-Trial Intervention Program, if approved by the court, Chiesa said. As a result of enrolling in the program, Ventrella will forfeit his job, and will be permanently barred from any law enforcement position in New Jersey, Chiesa said.

If he successfully completes the program, the charges will be dismissed, Chiesa said.

“The actions we announce today reflect a resolve to maintain the highest standards of conduct for the State Police, standards to which the overwhelming majority of state troopers adhere,” Chiesa said. “These troopers violated those standards and betrayed the public’s trust, undermining public safety and the reputation of the force. They are justly paying a high price for their poor judgment.  Both men have ended their law enforcement careers, and one will have a felony record for the rest of his life.”

“As members of the State Police, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard to maintain the public's trust,” Superintendent of New Jersey State Police Colonel Rick Fuentes said. “When we fail to adhere to those standards, we need to ensure that any violations are taken seriously and disciplined accordingly.  The actions of these members should not overshadow all of the great work and service provided by the men and women who proudly wear the uniform of the New Jersey State Police.”