William R. Lunger, Jr., 35, of Hamburg, is facing official misconduct, pattern of misconduct, conspiracy and theft charges, authorities said.
NEWTON -- A Sussex County sheriff's officer is facing official misconduct charges after authorities say he engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman undergoing supervised probation through the drug court program, tipped her off to surprise weekend drug screenings and stole testing kits for her to use.
The Sussex County courthouse That woman, in turn, allegedly tipped off others to weekend drug testing, more commonly known as a "blitz."
William R. Lunger, Jr., 35, of Hamburg, was charged with four counts of official misconduct, one count of engaging in a pattern of misconduct, one count of conspiring to defraud a drug test and one count of theft Monday, according to an affidavit filed by Detective Christopher Grogan with the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office. Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada told NJ Advance Media Lunger's been suspended without pay from his $84,984 position pending the outcome of the charges against him.
Grogan said in the affidavit he first received information from the sheriff's office on March 31 about alleged criminal activity by Lunger.
Lunger, according to the affidavit, was having a sexual relationship with a woman who was assigned to drug court probationary supervision and tipping her off to weekend drug testing. She would then allegedly tell others who were participating in the drug court probationary program.
Assistant Chief Probation Officer Star Felty told Grogan in an interview that during the March 20 blitz a large number of urine samples were diluted indicating that drug court participants may have had advance knowledge of the surprise screening.
Lunger, who was hired by the sheriff's office in 2007, was assigned to the Transport and Courts Division of the Sheriff's Office and provided courtroom security as part of his job.
During the course of their relationship, Lunger, who is married, sent numerous text messages including photos of his genitals to the woman, and created fake Facebook accounts through which he communicated with her. The woman also told authorities she and Lunger had sex while he was in uniform and he was working as a sheriff's officer including in the courthouse and the sheriff's department kitchen.
The woman was placed in the drug court program in 2015 following a conviction in Morris County, but she was later transferred over to Sussex County. Before she was sentenced to drug court probation, the woman was placed on regular probation for a 2014 burglary conviction in Sussex County.
According to the affidavit, a series of Facebook messenger conversations between Lunger and the woman from Feb. 8 through late March detail the woman's repeated requests for notice on surprise drug testing and for Lunger to steal drug testing "cups" for her. Based on the conversations outlined in the affidavit, Lunger agrees to her requests. Both Lunger and the woman repeatedly profess love for one another.
In one conversation on March 2, Lunger pleads with the woman not to get high after she inquires about drug testing that weekend.
Two weeks later, the woman asks Lunger on March 16 not to tell her when the blitz will happen or to get her any drug testing cups because she wants to work on her recovery. Lunger, in response, allegedly asks her if she wants to lose her child and go to jail to which the woman replies "no."
Only two days later, the woman then asks whether there will be a blitz on Sunday, March 20.
A letter subsequently seized from the woman's jail cell at Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility Lunger allegedly states he is aware she's spent enough on drugs in the last seven months to buy a car or pay for an apartment for a year.
Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Greg Mueller told NJ Advance Media the woman involved in the relationship with Lunger "has not been charged in connection with this activity, and it is not anticipated that she will be charged in the future."
Lunger, he said, was the primary target of the investigation and the woman is "largely considered a witness by our office."
"We have taken this view because this officer was in a position of authority, and in a position to assist (her) in her desperately needed recovery," Mueller said. "Instead of performing the job required by his oath, this officer knowingly compromised (her) recovery for his own person gain and prurient interest, despite the risk of harm posed to (her)."
Lunger received a letter of commendation in 2012 for his actions during a fatal motor vehicle accident in Hardyston. At the time, he was assigned to the detective bureau.
Lunger was remanded to Somerset County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail with no 10-percent option. He's expected to have a first appearance and bail review in Sussex County Superior Court Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Sheriff Strada said in a statement Monday night Lunger was suspended and his badge was retrieved within 24 hours of the sheriff's office notifying the prosecutor's office about his alleged criminal activity.
"Let me make this clear, 'no officer is above the law,'" he said. "We will continue to hold our officers accountable for their actions, and we will continue to uphold the integrity of our organization. It is important for our county residents to understand that the actions of one officer should not speak for the other officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of our county."
Last week, a Sussex County corrections officer -- Kevin Cole, 42, of Andover -- who was charged last year with conspiracy steroid possession was admitted into the pre-trial intervention program.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.