New Jersey State Gun Range Lieutenant Accused of Selling Stolen Ammo for $475K+

A longtime lieutenant with the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) — and the man trusted with overseeing all state prison gun ranges — has been charged in a major corruption case after allegedly stealing millions of rounds of taxpayer-funded ammunition and selling it for personal profit.

The man at the center of the scandal is 56-year-old Timothy John Morris of Bayville, who served as NJDOC’s Range Master since 2008. He was arrested earlier this month and charged with official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking, and structuring financial transactions to avoid detection.

According to the criminal complaint, Morris abused his position by ordering large amounts of extra ammunition over several years — beyond what was actually needed for official training. Instead of securing state assets, investigators say Morris sold the ammo on the side to a private gun supply store, pocketing more than $475,000. His scheme reportedly began in January 2019 and continued for years.

Authorities allege Morris accepted both cash and checks made out directly to himself. To hide his tracks, he deposited the checks in smaller amounts — always under $10,000 — to avoid triggering federal bank reporting rules that might have flagged the transactions as suspicious.

The Department of Corrections suspended Morris following the arrest. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison and over $300,000 in fines. His 2024 salary, with overtime, was reportedly $178,000.

The case is being handled by the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, with help from the State Police and the NJDOC’s own Special Investigations Division. Attorney General Matt Platkin called the case “a clear abuse of power” and said it’s proof that public corruption “drains resources and betrays taxpayers.”

A Wake-Up Call for Gun Owners & Taxpayers

Morris was in charge of ammo inventories at five major locations across the state, including ranges in Hunterdon, Burlington, Cumberland, and Monmouth Counties, as well as the Special Operations Group headquarters in Trenton.

For those of us who believe in responsible firearm ownership and defend our right to keep and bear arms, this case is infuriating — not because a gun was misused, but because a man in uniform allegedly used his authority to enrich himself while betraying the public trust. When state officials misuse taxpayer-funded firearms and ammo for personal gain, it gives anti-gun politicians even more ammo (no pun intended) to push for restrictions on lawful citizens — all while claiming to “trust only trained professionals.”

It’s no secret that public corruption is often swept under the rug in New Jersey. But for once, the state actually followed through. Still, questions remain — what happened to the gun supply store that bought all that ammo? Will anyone else be charged?

Is this just about a bad actor with access to ammo? Or is it a reminder that no one—even those in uniform—is above the law? It underscores what many in the 2A community already know: government accountability is just as important as individual responsibility.

Morris will join a growing list of public servants, the most famous being anti-gun U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who thought they could steal from the public and get away with it if found guilty. Let this serve as a message — both to corrupt officials and to those who think only the state should have firearms — that trust must be earned, not assumed.

Live Inventory Price Checker

	Usa 5.56 X 45mm Ammo - Lake City M193 5.56x45mm 55gr Full Metal Jacket 20/Box	Brownells.com	$ 11.99 $ 10.97
	Usa 5.56 X 45mm Ammo - Lake City M193 5.56x45mm 55gr Full Metal Jacket 1000/Cs	Brownells.com	$ 534.99
	Winchester Lake City 5.56 55 Grain M193 FMJ (Case)	Ammunition Depot	$ 444.49
	Winchester Lake City 5.56 55 Grain M193 FMJ (Box)	Ammunition Depot	$ 10.79

Turns Out, Gun-Hating Sen. Menendez Loves International Firearms Trade After All

Fed Judge On NJ Gun Law “plainly unconstitutional”, Grants Prelim. Injunction Against State