Rutgers RWJ Medical School professor charged with unlawfully possessing assault firearm

NEW BRUNSWICK – A Rutgers Robert Wood Jonson Medical School professor is charged with unlawfully possessing an assault firearm.

Dr. James Goydos, a professor of surgery in the Cancer Institute of New Jersey at Rutgers RWJ Medical School, was arrested March 30 at his East Brunswick home after police allegedly found an assault firearm in his basement, according to police documents.

He was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

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According to the documents, a Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office detective executed a search warrant at Goydos' home and allegedly found a Colt Sportster Match HBAR in a work space in his basement.

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"The assault rifle was located on a metal shelf inside of a protective bag," the detective wrote in his report. "This work space was utilized by James Goydos and had an interior slide lock on the inside of the door."

Goydos, according to the report, said that the firearm "belonged to his brother who gave it to him in the early 1990s."

The detective noted the weapon was a semi-automatic rifle "with the ability to accept a detachable magazine with a pistol grip, a flash suppressor and a threaded barrel."

Pete McDonough, the vice president of external affairs at Rutgers, said Goydos is currently on paid leave pending the outcome of the case.

"He was placed on administrative leave following the charges," he said. "He remains on administrative leave until the situation is resolved."

Goydos' salary is $437,504, according to public records.

His attorney, Patrick O'Hara Jr., did not respond to requests for comment.

It is unclear why a search warrant was granted for Goydos' home.

If convicted of the charge, Goydos, 57, may face disciplinary action under the state Board of Medical Examiners, but it is in clear as to what extent since decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

In New Jersey, there is a ban prohibiting the possession of most assault rifles, assault firearms and machine guns.

It is also unclear if Goydos, who has no criminal history, will be eligible for the state's pre-trial intervention program (PTI).

According to a fact sheet on NewJerseyGunLawyers.com, it is nearly impossible to be admitted into PTI with a second-degree gun charge.

"The Pre-Trial Intervention program in New Jersey (known as “PTI”) is reserved for first time offenders. It is also only typically available on third and fourth degree indictable (felony) level offenses," the fact sheet states.

"Most gun charges in New Jersey (except sometimes BB or airsoft gun charges) are second degree crimes punishable by 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison," the fact sheet states. "As a result, it is difficult to gain admission into the PTI program in New Jersey if you are facing an illegal gun charge. However, difficult does not mean impossible."

Goydos is the director and section chief of Melanoma and Soft Tissue Oncology Program at the Cancer Institute and is also a surgical oncologist.

According to his biography on the Cancer Institute's website, he was brought on in 1995 and was one of the first faculty members of the institute. He built the first clinical program focused on the treatment of patients with melanoma, other advanced cancers of the skin and soft tissue sarcomas in New Jersey.

Goydos is due in Middlesex County Superior Court for a pre-indictment conference at 9 a.m. May 8.

Staff Writer Nick Muscavage: 908-243-6615; ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com