CAMDEN, N.J. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - New Jersey), published as received.
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County man today was held in criminal contempt and fined $11,227 for conducting outside research while serving on a federal criminal jury and sharing his findings with the other jurors, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler made the contempt finding and imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to statements made in court:
Juror Number 7 was one of 12 jurors on a federal criminal trial held in Camden federal court before Judge Kugler. Before and during the trial, Juror Number 7 and the other jurors were instructed repeatedly, both in writing and verbally, not to conduct any research about the case, including through use of the Internet. During a recess in the trial, Juror Number 7 conducted internet research into evidence in the case. He then shared his findings with the other jurors during deliberations, causing a mistrial. The fine represents the court’s costs associated with empanelling the jury for the trial.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden and Deputy U.S. Attorney Andrew Carey.
