NEWTON, N.J. — A Pennsylvania man is facing a criminal charge after allegedly sending threatening and obscene messages to a Sussex County public official — including comments involving the official’s daughters — just days after county commissioners formally took a stand against New Jersey’s “Sanctuary State” policies.
Sussex County Prosecutor Daniel M. Perez announced Wednesday that Karl R. Heideck, 45, of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with fourth-degree cyber-harassment.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began after a Sussex County public official received electronic communications on August 2nd containing allegedly “lewd, indecent, or obscene material” intended to cause emotional harm or place a reasonable person in fear.
The messages allegedly escalated well beyond ordinary political criticism.
Prosecutors say Heideck referenced the official’s daughters, asserting that she makes Sussex County “safe” for “pedophiles because ‘you love THEM, don’t ya, bitch?’” He also allegedly described the official as a “dumb bitch.”
The release does not identify the public official.
The timing is noteworthy: the alleged messages arrived only four days after the Sussex County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution opposing New Jersey’s Sanctuary State policies. At its July 29th special meeting, the Republican-controlled board called for the repeal of recently enacted state laws restricting or regulating cooperation between state and local authorities and federal immigration enforcement.
The Sussex resolution was part of a growing statewide backlash to Trenton’s immigration policies. Warren County had previously acted, while Cape May County followed in August; several municipalities have also adopted similar measures.
According to Wednesday’s release, the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newton Police Department investigated the alleged communications and ultimately arrested Heideck, a licensed Pennsylvania attorney and resident of Jenkintown.
Heideck is charged on a complaint warrant with one count of fourth-degree cyber-harassment under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4.1a and is expected to be lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his first appearance in Sussex County Superior Court.
The accused faces a possible maximum sentence of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison if convicted.
The investigation remains ongoing according to prosecutors.
