Judge blocks Paterson cop, charged with dealing drugs, from traveling to Dominican Republic
By Jayed Rahman
Published: January 29, 2019
A federal judge blocked a police officer, accused of using his marked squad car to deal drugs, from traveling to the Dominican Republic, according to court records.
Ruben McAusland, who pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to distribute and deprivation of civil rights under color of law in June, wanted to travel to the Caribbean island to attend a wedding.
McAusland was to be the best man at the wedding. He submitted his travel plans to the court a month after the FBI arrested him for dealing heroin, crack-cocaine, powder cocaine, and marijuana.
Federal authorities said McAusland got his hands on narcotics when police conducted drug busts. He sold drugs from 2017 through early 2018, according to the FBI.
McAusland’s attorney wanted the court to return his passport for travel outside the U.S. from May 8 through 14, 2018, according to court records.
Judge Steven Mannion denied the request.
McAusland, who is one of five police officers in Paterson arrested for corruption, is scheduled to be sentenced in March.
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