Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn arriving home from the Hospital
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Allendale NJ, an 18-year-old British national, Joseph Ford, has had his release revoked by a Bergen County judge following concerns over his potential involvement in a high-level identity scheme. Ford, initially freed on conditional release after an October car crash that injured Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn, now faces serious allegations that he may have obtained multiple driver’s licenses and passports under various names to evade authorities.
Ford, who was initially released on October 11 on charges including assault by auto, was placed back in custody last Thursday. At Friday’s hearing, Judge Kevin Purvin revoked Ford’s release after prosecutors presented new evidence suggesting Ford might flee if freed, citing his access to multiple aliases and alleged attempts to avoid detection.
Complicated Identity Web Emerges
Prosecutors allege that Ford’s identity is shrouded in mystery. He reportedly entered the U.S. legally as “Patrick Casey” in 2019, left in 2020, and later attempted reentry under the name “Joseph Ford.” Assistant Prosecutor Christine Howland shared that Ford may have also been using other unknown identities. “We have no idea how he got into this country or if there’s a third name we haven’t found yet,” Howland said. This unclear identity trail left authorities concerned about Ford’s potential to escape justice.
The October 5 crash on Route 17 in Saddle River involved Ford’s Range Rover rear-ending Officer Dunn’s vehicle while the officer was assisting in a separate traffic stop. Ford was allegedly speeding, possibly under the influence, and accompanied by passengers who attempted to obscure their identities, with one reportedly having seven aliases. While Ford’s defense argued that the severity of the crash left passengers unable to respond to questions, new data from Ford’s phone provided prosecutors with a different narrative.
Digital Evidence Suggests Identity Manipulation Scheme
Text messages, photos, and voice memos from Ford’s WhatsApp account allegedly show discussions about changing identities and obtaining new passports. Investigators claim Ford had been scheming to procure driver’s licenses and other identification, some purportedly through a contact labeled “NYC fake IDs.” Ford allegedly communicated with others, including a cousin, about obtaining passports on short notice to dodge authorities, stating he’d “done it myself.”
While Ford’s attorney, Adam Lustberg, argued against the credibility of the evidence, he acknowledged that Ford had legally changed his name from Patrick Casey to Joseph Ford as a minor. Lustberg suggested that the prosecution’s argument was purely speculative and not based on hard evidence directly linking Ford to the alleged schemes.
Officer Dunn’s Road to Recovery
Meanwhile, Officer Dunn has returned home after two weeks in the hospital recovering from extensive injuries, including surgeries on his hand, pelvis, and leg. He was warmly welcomed by police officers and first responders from across the area, who gathered to honor his resilience in a ceremonial procession.
As Ford’s legal proceedings continue, his case raises complex questions about international identity issues and security risks. With the investigation ongoing, Ford’s fate remains uncertain as prosecutors work to uncover the full extent of his alleged actions.
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