A state grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against law enforcement officers involved in the death of Robert Gotts, 36, after an incident in Brick Township, Ocean County, on May 9, 2024. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office identified Gotts as the civilian who died following the encounter with police.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) led the investigation, which followed protocols outlined in the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. These procedures were created to ensure that grand jury presentations are neutral and transparent.
The investigation gathered evidence through witness interviews, photographs, video footage, and autopsy results from the medical examiner. This information was presented to a state grand jury comprised of New Jersey residents. After considering the evidence and testimony, the grand jury voted “no bill” on September 8, 2025, determining that no criminal charges would be filed against Officers Joseph McGrath and Mark Nixon or Sgt. Jeffrey Person of the Brick Township Police Department.
According to findings from OPIA, officers responded shortly after 4:27 p.m. on May 9 to reports of a man in distress at Wisteria Drive and Vermont Drive in Brick Township. Officers found Gotts naked and visibly distressed in the street. They handcuffed him and moved him to a grassy area nearby while EMS provided medical care. Gotts was then transported to Ocean University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at about 5:48 p.m.
An autopsy concluded that his death was accidental and caused by drug intoxication.
OPIA is releasing police body-worn camera footage related to Gotts’ death. Investigators had previously met with Gotts’ family so they could review the recording before it became public.
State law requires that any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement or while someone is in custody must be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office. Such investigations are presented to a grand jury for determination regarding possible indictments against involved officers.
The directive also requires checks for potential conflicts of interest among investigators; none were found for this case. OPIA Executive Director Drew Skinner reviewed the investigation prior to its presentation to the grand jury.
Once these investigations conclude, OPIA determines if any matters should be referred for administrative review according to internal affairs policies and monitors any resulting actions until they are complete.
