This report is based on information received from the Prosecutor’s Office.
VILLAS – Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor announces the arrest of Lower Township Deputy Municipal Court Administrator Mariya Starrett, 31, of Whalers Drive, Absecon, for official misconduct and theft by failure to make the required disposition.
This investigation was initiated by detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Unit following the receipt of a complaint from the division manager of the Superior Court of Cape May County who believed a theft had occurred from the Lower Township Municipal Court.
As a result of this investigation, it was revealed that Starrett allegedly took cash from the funds received as payments from the citizens of Lower Township to the municipal court. Multiple discrepancies were found between the accounting journals and the deposits slips, establishing a theft in excess of $3,000.
On July 5, Starrett was charged with official misconduct, second degree, and theft by failure to make the required disposition, third degree. Starrett was processed and released with summonses pending court proceedings.
According to Prosecutor Taylor, individuals charged with a crime of the second degree upon conviction are subject to a term of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Individuals charged with a crime of the third degree upon conviction are subject to a term of imprisonment of three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
Prosecutor Taylor urges the anyone who has information concerning this investigation or any illegal activity within the community to report it anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800, or call the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.