BOSTON, Dec. 4, 2018–An off-duty police officer from New Jersey today admitted to an unprovoked assault on a stranger inside a Boston pizza shop earlier this year, Suffolk County District Attorney John P. Pappas said.

During an appearance this afternoon in Suffolk Superior Court, DANIEL HUNT, 27, of Barrington, N.J., pleaded guilty to the indicted charge of assault and battery for his role in the January beating that left another man with facial injuries that required surgery. Assistant District Attorney Judith Lyons of the DA’s Major Felony Bureau recommended that the court enter a guilty finding and sentence him to two years of probation with orders that Hunt have no contact with the victim, remain alcohol and drug free, undergo an anger management program, and pay $2,618.67 in restitution for out-of-pocket costs incurred by the victim as a result of the injuries he suffered in the attack.

Judge Rosalind Miller did not find Hunt guilty and instead continued the case without a finding for a probationary period of two years. She imposed all the orders recommended by prosecutors except the anger management program, which Hunt had completed while the case was pending. She additionally ordered that he perform 100 hours of community service.

If Hunt abides by these orders during the two-year continuance then his case will be dismissed; if not, it could be put back on track for trial. Hunt appeared in court today with a certified check in the amount of $1,700 and will have 30 days to pay the remainder.

Had the case proceeded to trial, Assistant District Attorney Judith Lyons would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that Hunt, an off-duty officer of the Haddon Heights, N.J., Police Department, was among a group of men who had traveled to Boston for a gathering that lasted into the early morning hours of Jan. 19, when the group entered a Kenmore Square pizza shop. The victim, then age 24 and living in Chestnut Hill, was also inside the shop with a separate group of individuals.

In an altercation captured on the eatery’s security camera, an intoxicated Hunt approached the victim and initiated a verbal confrontation. Hunt then pushed the victim, leading to a physical altercation.

During the course of that altercation, another member of Hunt’s group punched the victim and knocked him to the ground, causing serious injuries to the victim’s jaw and face. The victim was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he underwent surgery to treat his injuries. His jaw was wired shut for a period of three weeks and metal plates were permanently implanted in his jaw and cheek, prosecutors said.

Hunt’s co-defendant, IAN SALERNO, 29, of Philadelphia, was indicted for aggravated assault and battery in connection with the incident and faces trial on Feb. 11, 2019.

Michael Coffey is the DA’s assigned victim witness advocate. Hunt was represented by Philip Tracy.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.