Cumberland County Prosecutor Alleges Unauthorized Access & Disclosure Of Restricted Police & Judiciary Data Over A Nine-Month Period
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 8:30 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
MILLVILLE, NJ.- A 30-year-old Cumberland County woman employed as a public safety telecommunicator with the City of Millville has been arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses stemming from allegations that she unlawfully accessed and disseminated restricted law enforcement and court data.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae announced that Samantha J. Simpkins, 30, of Cedarville, New Jersey, was arrested on February 26, 2026, following a referral by the Millville Police Department and an investigation conducted by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit.
According to authorities, Simpkins has been formally charged under New Jersey criminal statutes with the following offenses:
- Third-degree Computer Theft by Unlawful Access of Computer Data
- Second-degree Computer Theft by Unlawful Reproduction of Computer Data
- Third-degree Computer Theft by Unlawful Reproduction of Computer Data
- Third-degree Unlawful Access of Restricted Data
- Second-degree Unlawful Access and Disclosure of Restricted Data
- Second-degree Official Misconduct
Allegations Of Unauthorized Database Access;
Prosecutors allege that between November 2024 and August 2025, Simpkins accessed multiple restricted data entries within the Millville Police Department and New Jersey Judiciary databases without authorization or beyond the scope of her assigned duties.
As a Public Safety Telecommunicator/Dispatcher, Simpkins would have been authorized to access certain law enforcement computer systems necessary for emergency communications and operational coordination. However, investigators allege that she exceeded her authority and retrieved restricted data unrelated to her official dispatch responsibilities.
Authorities further allege that on several occasions during the referenced timeframe, Simpkins disclosed restricted data obtained from those databases to unauthorized individuals.
Officials have not publicly detailed the precise nature of the information allegedly accessed or identified any individuals who may have received the disclosed data.
Potential Penalties Under New Jersey Law;
Under New Jersey criminal statutes, second-degree offenses, including unlawful reproduction of computer data and official misconduct, carry a potential sentence of five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison.
Third-degree offenses are punishable by three to five years of incarceration.
The charge of official misconduct is among the most serious offenses that may be brought against a public employee. It applies when a government official is alleged to have knowingly violated the law in the course of their official duties.
Arrest And Conditions Of Release;
Simpkins was arrested on February 26, 2026. Authorities confirmed she was released pending further court proceedings, subject to conditions. Specific release terms were not disclosed in the initial statement.
Prosecutor Webb-McRae publicly thanked the Millville Police Department for its cooperation during the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are requesting that anyone with information related to the case contact Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Detective Fran McGovern at (856) 453-0486, extension 11105. Tips may also be submitted confidentially through the Prosecutor’s Office tip line at extension 11837 or online at www.njccpo.gov/tips.
Editor’s Note:
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges detailed in this article are allegations based on information released by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. Englebrook Independent News will continue to follow developments in this matter and provide updates as the case proceeds through the judicial system.
