Jesse J. McKeough, 28, was photographed in uniform sleeping at Stop & Shop. Watch video
NORTH ARLINGTON - One of four Belleville police officers charged with assault in connection with a bar fight was suspended from the force three years ago for sleeping in his patrol car, Police Chief Mark Minichini confirmed Tuesday.
Jesse J. McKeough, 28, was photographed in uniform sleeping between 5 and 6 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2013 while working a second job at a Stop & Shop on Franklin Street in Belleville. The photo was posted to Facebook and used in a YouTube video titled "Cop caught sleeping in his squad car!"
"I can confirm that information is correct. It's the same officer," Minichini said, declining to comment further on the incident.
Former Police Chief Joseph Rotunda told The Star-Ledger in 2013 that McKeough was suspended for falling asleep in his uniform.
McKeough, a four-year member of the Belleville Police Department, was arrested Monday along with three other police officers and a Lyndhurst man in connection with an Oct. 21 brawl at the Pourhouse 17 pub on Ridge Road in North Arlington.
The officers are all charged with simple assault and have been suspended without pay pending criminal and administrative charges, Minichini said.
Minichini said he was unsure how long McKeough had been suspended for the Stop & Shop incident.
Former Belleville resident Anthony Telinski was riding his bike when he spotted the sleeping officer and snapped a picture. He posted the photo to Facebook groups and YouTube, where it got the attention of another police officer.
Telinksi later said he was harassed by Belleville police officers after the incident was publicized and that they repeatedly referred to him as "the photographer."
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.