Author Innocent: Wants Official Acknowledgement

To The Editor:
How would someone feel if they knew I could go to the police and make an accusation against them without any evidence, resulting in a warrant for their arrest and charges being levied against them?
I am the same Michael Sullivan mentioned elsewhere by this paper as being wanted for charges involving burglary, theft, and conspiracy; all crimes in the third degree.
I am writing as a direct retort against the charges that have been allegedly perpetrated by me. Understand that I did not take part in any crime. There is no evidence supporting any crime committed by me. The main reason that I am using this forum in my defense.
As the article noted, fingerprints were found at the scene, which led authorities to a suspect. It was during his questioning that my name came up as a supposed accomplice. If the person identified as being at the crime scene by solid evidence states that another person had involvement, without any evidence and just his word, that second person is automatically guilty right?
You ask, why would that person factually and wrongly identify me as having a part in this? There are two reasons. The first is that he would receive lenience for turning over another suspect.
The second is due to the fact that two days before he was arrested, he and I got into a brief physical altercation at my residence, documented by Wildwood Police, giving him “motive.”
However, questioning should not stop there. The most important question is how could Wildwood Police charge me with committing a crime based solely on the word of a person? What if they were aware that an incident occurred that may create motive for that person to point the finger elsewhere? Why do I make an easy target? Because I live directly next door to the people who got robbed. That’s it. I am certain no evidence exists because I committed no crime.
One would think that had someone been implicated in a crime without any real evidence, police would question that person first before going commando. That is not my case. Without any evidence and/or corroboration, I have been charged with three third degree felonies, each carrying a possible two to five-year prison term. An arrest warrant was issued immediately by a judge while the perpetrator was allowed to walk.
Since I have been charged before being questioned, I have not had the opportunity to clear my name. I am already guilty until proven innocent.
If I am found by police or turn myself in, I will be arrested and forced to make bail (at least $50,000) or sit in jail until the time I see a judge while two little boys don’t get to see their father, a job doesn’t get completed, and bills don’t get paid.
There is no way around that, as I have already been charged. Since money doesn’t grow on trees in South Jersey, I must technically remain a fugitive just to mount my defense effectively.
Next time you get close to angering someone, just remember how easy it is for them to potentially screw up your life; just remember that they may know the truth: here in Cape May County, you are always and forever guilty until you prove yourself innocent.
I leave with the promise of future official acknowledgement of my innocence as well as a mission to ensure this kind of police work no longer tarnishes lives of Cape May County residents.
MICHAEL SULLIVAN
Wildwood