Two New Jersey gym owners who have repeatedly reopened in defiance of the state’s coronavirus blockade have been arrested, police said Monday.
The owners of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr – Ian Smith, 33, of Delanco Township, and Frank Trumbetti, 51, of Williamstown – were charged with contempt and violation of an act of disaster control, according to the Bureau Prosecutor Camden Couty.
The two owners have continually criticized Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order amid the COVID-19 pandemic and even sued lawmakers alleging that their constitutional rights were violated when they were forced to close their gym in South Jersey.
Last Wednesday, Judge Robert Lougy ordered the owners to leave the gym and stop reopening.
However, since the ruling, the owners, as well as others, have been seen using the gym, law enforcement officials said.
Police and county prosecutors asked the owners to leave, but they refused, which led to the arrests, according to police.
Smith and Trumbetti were charged and released, police said.
In a post on the gym’s Facebook page Monday morning, Smith attacked the governor as “flexing his little tyrant muscles.”
“County sheriff’s officers entered the facility without a warrant or in compliance with posted signs on the door requesting that they call first,” Smith said.
“This will be fun in court.”
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