Father enters guilty plea in youth-football assault

COLTS NECK - Mario A. Romano, 42, of Colts Neck, appeared in state Superior Court in Freehold on April 17 and pleaded guilty to the disorderly persons offense of simple assault.

Romano entered his guilty plea before state Superior Court Judge Ira E. Kreizman, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

In exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecutor's office will recommend that Romano receive a noncustodial term of probation. Conditions of that probation will be that Romano have no victim contact and that Romano participate in anger management counseling.

A further condition will be that Romano not participate in any school or other youth athletic leagues as a coach or organizer, or in any management or other capacity while on probation.

On Sept. 30, 2007, officers from the Colts Neck Police Department responded to the athletic fields of Colts Neck High School as the result of a report of an assault. Upon their arrival the police discovered Peter Vanruitenbeek, 45, also of Colts Neck, lying on the ground unconscious.

Vanruitenbeek was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a concussion, a rotator cuff sprain and other injuries. A number of witnesses advised the police that Vanruitenbeek had been assaulted by Romano, according to the press release. Romano was apprehended by police near his vehicle in the parking lot of the athletic fields.

On Sept. 30, 2007, a Colts Neck Pop Warner football team with players ranging in age from 12 to 14 was playing a game against a team from Manchester Township. Vanruitenbeek was the coach of the Colts Neck team. One of Romano's sons was a member of the Colts Neck team.

Romano was an organizer of the Colts Neck Pop Warner league. At the time of the assault, Romano was vice president of football operations for the league. Romano subsequently resigned from that position.

According to the press release, the Colts Neck Police Department conducted an investigation into the assault. The investigation revealed that during the game, Romano had a dispute with Vanruitenbeek regarding the amount of playing time Romano's son was being given at the quarterback position.

At the conclusion of the game, the dispute between the two men resumed. Their dispute ultimately escalated into a heated argument which culminated with Romano punching Vanruitenbeek in the face once. Romano's punch caused Vanruitenbeek to fall to the ground. Vanruitenbeek remained unconscious for several minutes before being transported to the hospital, according to the press release.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said, "Society demands that volunteers in youth athletic leagues behave in a responsible manner and serve as role models for the children. Romano ignored these self-evident duties in resorting to physical violence against his son's coach. This plea agreement condemns Romano's conduct and ensures that he will be held accountable."

Valentin credited the Colts Neck Police Department for what he called the full and comprehensive investigation the department conducted in this case, which included contact and interviews with more than 30 witnesses.

Romano is scheduled to be sentenced by Kreizman onMay 16. Cross complaints filed by Romano charging Peter Vanruitenbeek with assault and harassment, and charging his wife, Sandra Vanruitenbeek, with assault will be dismissed at the time of Romano's sentencing, according to the press release.