A Ridgefield Park resident and long-time parole board officer is currently facing theft by deception charges for allegedly stealing money from the New Jersey State Parole Board Association.
41-year-old Juan Villalobos, who worked for Parole Board Local Number 326 for 19 years, is accused of siphoning funds from the Parole Board Union in order to cover personal legal bills.
According to Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli, Villalobos attempted to conceal these illegal actions in the time between 2008 and 2010. The total amount that Villalobos is accused of stealing has not been made been public, nor has the Prosecutor’s Office divulged the supposed legal matter for which the funds were utilized. The Prosecutor’s Office did, however, clarify that Villalobos allegedly stole less than $10,000.
Villalobos was processed and released from the Bergen County Jail pending his arraignment on December 12th. If convicted, he could be facing a prison sentence among other penalties. Theft by Deception in New Jersey is governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, and constitutes a crime of the third degree if the amount involved exceeds $500 but is less than $75,000. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of incarceration between 3 and 5 years in New Jersey State Prison. Villalobos may also be forced to pay restitution for the amount stolen if he is found guilty of the offense.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Bergen parole officer charged with stealing PBA funds
