WCNYH

Longshoreman Applicant Withdraws Application with Prejudice After Being Charged with Multiple Violations of the Waterfront Commission Act

March 15, 2023

The Waterfront Commission accepted the request of Andre A. Demelo, 40, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to withdraw with prejudice his application for registration as a longshoreman with sponsorship from Maher Terminals, LLC. Demelo faced 14 counts of violating the Waterfront Commission Act.

The Commission’s Notice of Hearing included allegations that: Demelo had been arrested and charged with Prohibited Weapons and Devices, in violation of N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-3E (a crime in the fourth degree); he was arrested by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and charged with two (2) counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. § 2C:24-4B(5)(a) (a high misdemeanor, now called a crime of the second degree) and N.J.S.A. § 2C:24-4B(5)(b) (a crime of the fourth degree); he was convicted in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County, of Endangering Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. § 2C:24-4B(5)(a)(a high misdemeanor, now called a crime of the second degree); and he was sentenced to three years’ incarceration with a requirement to register as a sex offender.

Demelo was also charged with multiple counts of fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation on his application regarding his prior employment, military history and arrest history.

The Commission alleged that in light of the foregoing, Demelo’s presence at the piers or other waterfront terminals constitutes a danger to the public peace or safety. Facing 14 counts of violating the Waterfront Commission Act, Demelo requested the withdrawal with prejudice of his application.