Unlawful weapons charges dropped against Gordon Van Gilder 72, a retired school teacher stopped with antique pistol. 

Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McCrae said Wednesday in a written statement. "Notwithstanding, upon careful review of the circumstances of this case, I am exercising prosecutorial discretion to dismiss the (unlawful possession of a weapon) charges in the interest of justice in accordance with," the Graves Act governing firearms offenses in New Jersey.

This petition is for the calling of resignation of Cumberland County Sheriff Robert Austino for the smear campaign against Mr. Van Gilder. Mr. Van Gilder now has a tarnished reputation because of Sheriff Austino's false statements in the media. Mr. Van Gilder is a law abiding citizen who has helped many of our children over the years, has never been in any kind of trouble and lives a peaceful life always helping others. To make a false statement in public by Sheriff Austino that Mr. Van Gilder was found with heroin bags and other narcotics in his vehicle is just disgraceful. 

Only days later when the case made national news about the antique firearm possession did Sheriff Austino make the false claims about the drugs in the vehicle.

Mr. Van Gilder could have faced many years in prison, lost his pension that he has worked for many years and his life would have been turned upside down.

We the citizens of Cumberland County will not tolerate false claims and statements from any law enforcement official. We are asking everyone to sign this petition so this will never happen again. Ask yourself, If we let this go what else is Sheriff Austino capable of doing? Do you want to take that chance?

Thank you to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McCrae for dismissing the bogus charges against Mr. Van Gilder and not following in the footsteps of Sheriff Austino.

                                                              Citizens for a better Cumberland County