NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPER PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH AN UNLAWFUL STOP OF A FEMALE MOTORIST IN HIS PATROL CAR
" Michael Patterson Of Bayonne, New Jersey Entered A Plea Of Guilty To Tampering With Public Records."
August 17, 2021 By: Englebrook Independent News,
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ.- On Tuesday, August 17, 2021 Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced that a New Jersey State Trooper has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge in connection to an incident in which he stalked a female while on duty in his patrol vehicle.
On Monday, August 16, 2021, Trooper Michael Patterson, 30, of Bayonne, New Jersey pleaded guilty to a charge of Fourth Degree Tampering with Public Records before Superior Court Judge Andrea Carter in Middlesex County. During his guilty plea, Patterson admitted that he purposely disabled the Digital In-Vehicle Recorder in his patrol vehicle to prevent the recorder from capturing a motor vehicle stop, so that he could make advances on the female motorist, during the incident in which he was charged.
Under the plea agreement, The State will recommend that Mr. Patterson be sentenced to twelve months in New Jersey State Prison, without the possibility of parole. Patterson will also be required to forfeit his employment as a Trooper and will be permanently barred from every holding any position in public employment.
Sentencing in this case has been scheduled for Monday, October 18, 2021.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Trooper Patterson conducted a motor vehicle stop of a female motorist on The New Jersey Turnpike. Patterson let the woman go with a warning, then just minutes later, Patterson conducted a second unwarranted stop of her vehicle after she exited The Turnpike at Exit 11, in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, in order to make an advance on her.
Patterson disabled the recorder in his patrol vehicle to prevent his conduct from being recorded. The ensuing investigation revealed that Patterson subsequently put the victim in fear by following her, to her home in his patrol vehicle.
FILED UNDER AUGUST 17, 2021: LAW, MIDDLESEX, STATE: