Sussex County GOP chairman faces charges after Stillwater road rage incident
Joseph LaBarbera, 50, was arrested on four charges, including aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
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Joseph LaBarbera, chairman of the Sussex County Republican Committee, is facing several charges after another driver told state police that he pointed a handgun at them during a road rage incident in Stillwater Township.
New Jersey State Police identified LaBarbera as a 50-year-old Hardwick resident.
The incident happened around 2:18 p.m. Saturday on Millbrook Road and involved the drivers of a Mercedes-Benz SUV and a Kia SUV, according to State Police.
The Kia driver told troopers that the other driver displayed a handgun and pointed it at them before leaving, State Police said. A juvenile passenger was inside the Kia. No injuries were reported.
Troopers later found LaBarbera, who was driving the Mercedes, at a restaurant on County Road 521 in Stillwater and arrested him.
LaBarbera was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm and unjustified display of a firearm.
LaBarbera was initially jailed in Morris County pending a detention hearing.
News 12 received a joint statement Tuesday regarding LaBarbera from state Sen. Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, Assemblyman Michael Inganamort and Sussex County Commissioners Jill Space, Chris Carney, Alan Henderson, David Silverthorne and Jack DeGroot.
“For the good of the party, we believe the Chairman should focus on this serious legal and personal matter, step aside and allow the Vice Chair to temporarily lead the party, and let the County Committee make the best long-term decision,” the officials said.
LaBarbera told News 12 Tuesday that he does not intend to leave his position.
“I am not resigning or stepping down as chairman,” LaBarbera said.
LaBarbera did not address the allegations and identified Patrick Toscano as his attorney. News 12 has contacted Toscano for comment.
