Executive Summary
- Former officer Rebecca Sayegh sentenced to 3 years probation for burglary and assault.
- Judge ruled incarceration inappropriate for a first-time offender under NJ law.
- Defendant permanently forfeited her police job and is banned from public employment.
- Prosecutors had requested a 180-day jail term citing breach of public trust.
A former Toms River police officer was sentenced to probation rather than jail time on January 16 following a guilty plea to charges stemming from a domestic violence incident in Berkeley Township, according to Ocean County court records.
Rebecca Sayegh, 32, was sentenced to three years of probation by Ocean County Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan. Sayegh had previously admitted guilt to third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, and simple assault in connection with an off-duty incident on April 25, 2025. According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Sayegh broke into a residence by smashing a glass door, damaged a vehicle in the driveway, and resisted arrest upon the arrival of law enforcement officers.
During the hearing, prosecutors advocated for a 180-day jail term as a condition of probation, arguing that Sayegh’s actions represented a fundamental betrayal of the public trust placed in law enforcement. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco stated that her conduct was “the complete antithesis of what a law enforcement officer should do.” Defense attorney Kelly Toner argued against incarceration, emphasizing Sayegh’s lack of prior criminal history, her service record, and her compliance with treatment protocols.
Judge Ryan concluded that under New Jersey sentencing laws for first-time offenders convicted of third-degree crimes, incarceration was not the appropriate outcome. While noting aggravating factors such as the need for deterrence, the judge determined that mitigating factors—including Sayegh’s previously law-abiding life and efforts toward rehabilitation—narrowly tipped the balance against a jail sentence. As part of the plea agreement, Sayegh has permanently forfeited her position with the Toms River Police Department and is barred from any future public employment in New Jersey. She was also ordered to pay over $4,800 in restitution and must adhere to a final restraining order.
Judicial Sentencing Standards
This sentencing illustrates the application of New Jersey’s statutory presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders facing third-degree charges, a legal standard that binds judicial discretion regardless of the defendant’s former profession. While the court acknowledged the serious nature of domestic violence and the breach of professional standards, the legal system separates the criminal penalty from the administrative consequences. The permanent ban on public employment acts as the significant professional sanction, ensuring that while the defendant avoids jail, she can no longer serve in a law enforcement capacity.
