Prosecutors dropped the ball in Orange Councilman Kerry Coley firearm threat case

Essex County prosecutors announced that Orange East Ward Councilman Kerry Coley will not face criminal charges stemming from an October 2024 incident in which he was accused of brandishing a firearm and making a terroristic threat during a confrontation with a tow truck driver.

“The Essex County Grand Jury did not find sufficient evidence to sustain the return on an indictment,” said Prosecutor Theodore Stephens.

Coley, 60, a retired police sergeant and U.S. Army veteran, had been charged in March with one count each of displaying a weapon and making a terroristic threat.

He voluntarily surrendered to authorities on March 10 at the Freddie Polhill Law and Justice Complex in Orange after a warrant for his arrest was issued and was briefly held at the Essex County Correctional Facility before being released on Level 1 pretrial monitoring the next day.

According to investigators, the October 9, 2024, incident occurred outside Coley’s residence, where a tow truck driver had been dispatched to remove a vehicle reportedly belonging to one of Coley’s relatives.

During the encounter, Coley allegedly displayed a firearm in a manner that led to the initial charges. The matter was referred to a state grand jury, which ultimately declined to indict.

Coley has served as East Ward councilman since 2014 and is currently in his third term. His current term is set to expire in June 2026. In addition to his role on the council, Coley is a longtime community figure, serving as a trustee at Bethel Baptist Church and as a commissioner with the Orange Housing Authority.

It is not known whether the weapon allegedly displayed in the incident was among any that Coley may have turned over to authorities after his release. The terms of his pretrial release had included surrendering any firearms in his possession and avoiding contact with the alleged victim.

Coley retired from the Orange Police Department in 2014 after a 20-year career, which followed his military service with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

He is expected to seek re-election in the May 2026 nonpartisan municipal election.

Officials have not indicated whether any additional internal or administrative proceedings related to the case are forthcoming.