NJ officer admits involvement in illegal stops, shakedowns
NEWARK, N.J. - Another member of a northern New Jersey city's police force has admitted stealing money during illegal traffic stops and shakedowns and then falsifying reports.
Paterson Officer Frank Toledo faces up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to violate individuals' civil rights, using unreasonable and excessive force and filing a false police report.
Authorities say the 30-year-old Toledo and other officers illegally stopped individuals and vehicles in Paterson and stole money from those they stopped. The officers sometimes used fake paperwork to trick individuals into believing that the cash seizures and vehicle stops represented legitimate law enforcement encounters.
Toledo is the third officer to admit being part of the shakedowns. Two other Paterson officers have admitted to other crimes, and charges are pending against two others.