Franklin officer charged in Hopatcong

Hopatcong — Franklin Police Officer Ryan Churchwell was charged by Hopatcong Police on April 3 with harassment in a domestic violence incident. It is alleged that from his home in Sparta, he sent sexually harassing text messages to the victim, a Hopatcong resident. Churchwell, 28, is currently on an extended medical leave from his post with the Franklin Police, according to Rich Wolak, Franklin’s borough administrator. Sparta police assisted in serving Churchwell the paperwork, according to Sparta Police Chief John Paul Beebe, who said that Churchwell was cooperative. A temporary restraining order was granted against Churchwell on behalf of the victim. He was charged with one count of harassment, a disorderly persons offence, said Hopatcong’s Lt. Robert Brennan. Ordinarily, this charge doesn’t require that the accused be processed, but because it’s a domestic violence offense, Beebe said, Churchwell came to the office. “He was not physically arrested,” Beebe said. According to Hopatcong Police, the incident occurred during the evening of April 2, when the text messages began.