Brick woman charged with hate crime in Facebook messages

A Brick woman is charged with bias intimidation in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(2) and harassment in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4a after sending threatening and offensive messages to someone on Facebook messenger, announced Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

The language of the text included that the "KKK is alive and well in Brick" and that "the victim should move".

Denise Scaltrito, 48, is also accused of sending messages referencing the Aryn Brotherhood and derogatory comments regarding the victims race.

Scaltrito was processed at Brick Township Police Headquarters and released on a summons pending a future court date.

“It is against the law to intimidate someone based on their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, disability or gender identity/expression," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. "This type of behavior is on the rise, especially on social media. Individuals that exploit hatred, intolerance and prejudice with a purpose to intimidate will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The Brick Township Police Department will investigate all allegations of bias intimidation thoroughly," Brick Police Chief James Riccio said. "This type of language directed at an individual with a purpose to intimidate will not be tolerated.”

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