Member of cop-attacking dirt bike pack gets jail sentence

A member of a large group of dirt bikers who assaulted a police officer on New Jersey’s busy Route 22 has been sentenced to jail.
Victor Ogando-Marte, 39, of Plainfield, received a 364-day sentence on Friday, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release. He was previously convicted of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and multiple disorderly persons offenses and motor vehicle violations.
Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 in North Plainfield on April 13, 2022 along with 15 to 20 other riders during rush hour. The pack was weaving in an out of traffic, popping wheelies and blocking other cars during the process, authorities said.
Near the intersection of Rock Avenue, North Plainfield Police Officer James Kirchner attempted to apprehend Ogando-Marte and during the process, the officer was dragged from the shoulder into the middle of the highway by the dirt bike, investigators said.
Once on the ground, Ogando-Marte resisted arrest while other dirt bikers circled and attacked Kirchner until a group of good Samaritans, 911 callers, off-duty police officers, and responding backup were able to subdue him, officials said.
The remaining riders fled the scene and no other related arrests were made.
After his conviction in September of this year, prosecutors said he could face up to a five-year sentence. It is unclear why he was ultimately sentenced to just less than a year.
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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at [email protected].