NORTH ARLINGTON –
A borough resident has been kicked off the North Arlington Volunteer Fire Department in the wake of being convicted of a sex crime involving a minor.
At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Borough Council voted to discharge John Minervini, 44, as a member of the fire volunteers, with whom he had served since April 1996, at both Schuyler Engine Co. 2 and Eagle Truck Co. 3, retroactive to Oct. 15, on the recommendation of the Board of Fire Officers.
No explanation was given for the move and Volunteer Fire Chief Mark Zidiak declined to discuss it but it is clear that the governing body acted in response to Bergen County Superior Court Judge James Guida recently finding Minervini guilty of sexual assault and child endangerment.
Minervini, a cemetery worker, will be sentenced Jan. 10.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit undertook an investigation after receiving a complaint from a member of the victim’s family.
The alleged incident, which involved a 10-yearold child, happened several years ago, according to authorities.
