The owners of Atilis Gym were arrested Monday morning in the latest chapter of the New Jersey gym’s repeated challenge to state coronavirus protocols, the Camden County District Attorney’s Office announced.
The arrests came just days after a judge ruled the owners were in contempt of court and could begin to face fines for keeping their gym open, despite Governor Phil Murphy’s order that gyms cannot be opened while the state continues to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Ian Smith, 33, of Delanco Township, and Frank Trumbetti, 51, of Williamstown, were charged with one count of fourth degree contempt, one count of obstruction, and one count of violation of a Control Act of Disasters.
The men were transported to the Bellmawr Police Department, where they were charged and then released.
Authorities said they watched multiple people enter and use the gym throughout the weekend after Judge Robert T. Lougy issued a court order on Friday that Trumbetti and Smith leave the gym and stop operating.
Police said both owners refused to leave the gym when asked on Monday and were subsequently arrested.
Smith’s attorney, James Mermigis, said the gym was closed by authorities on Monday and that the owners do not have access to enter.
He said he is not sure what Smith and Trumbetti’s next move would be, but he was adamant that Murphy’s order for the gyms to remain closed is “unconstitutional” when activities like gymnastics and martial arts have been reopened to certain capacity limits.
“I think the governor is overreaching and I think this has gone too far,” said Mermigis.
After Judge Lougy’s ruling on Friday, Smith told NJ Advance Media that they will do “everything we can” to fight the decision, and he planned to remain in the gym until authorities removed him.
“We will not leave this building under any circumstances unless we are taken away in handcuffs,” said Smith.
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Joe Atmonavage can be contacted at [email protected].
