A suspended Tuckerton police officer moves closer to trial on charges of aggravated assault and official misconduct, connected to an arrest that took place nearly a year ago.

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Justin M. Cherry was indicted Tuesday and is suspended without pay, according to information from the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

He's also charged with false swearing, tampering with public records and hindering his own apprehension.

Cherry is accused of letting his K-9 dog "Gunner" loose to attack Wendy Tucker, 58, of Barnegat, during her arrest in Barnegat on January 29, 2014.

The misconduct charges apply to allegations that Cherry falsified police reports and a warrant for Tucker's arrest, and that he used his role as a police officer to commit the assault, authorities said.

The incident that led to the indictment began with a disruption at a home in Tuckerton to which Cherry responded. Tucker allegedly was not welcome at the house, and agreed to leave. Learning that her license was suspended, police advised Tucker to wait for a bus.

Cherry allegedly watched Tucker drive off, failed in an attempt to stop her car, and let the dog attack her after she was stopped by Barnegat police.

Cherry remains free on $15,000 bail, authorities said.

The most severe charges, official misconduct and hindering apprehension, are classified as second degree, which carry possible prison terms of five to ten years on conviction.

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