The FBI arrested a sixth Paterson police officer on Tuesday morning as part of its corruption investigation, announced U.S. attorney Craig Carpenito.
Daniel Pent, 32, of Paterson, is charged with conspiring to deprive individuals of civil rights under color of law. He is accused of unlawfully stopping motor vehicles and stealing from occupants.
For example, on Feb. 1, 2017, Pent and another police officer, Eudy Ramos, stopped and searched a vehicle in the city. Occupants of the vehicles were ordered out. $10,000 was found in a plastic bag belonging to one of the occupants.
Ramos put the cash in his jacket pocket. Both of them allegedly split the proceeds, according to the FBI.
The victim was arrested and charged with loitering in a drug area.
Pent filled out a prisoner property report that falsely stated the victim had $36 on his person. Both officers submitted an incident report that made no mention of the $10,000 seized from the victim.
Authorities said the victim was released on the same day. Before leaving the police headquarters, the victim asked the police officer at the property window about the $10,000. The officer replied that no one had turned anything in.
The victim filed an Internal Affairs complaint. Pent and Ramos did not act like police officers, but handle the situation like a robbery, according to the victim.
Ramos was indicted last week for his role in the incident.
Pent joined the police force on Jan. 27, 2014. He has been suspended from the force, said police chief Troy Oswald.
Police brass have said the FBI investigation that has netted six officers — Pent, Jonathan Bustios, Ruben McAusland, Eudy Ramos, Matthew Torres, and Roger Then – originated from within the department.
Police officials referred the case to the FBI.
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