Another Paterson police officer pleads guilty to corruption

Another officer with the Paterson Police Department has admitted his role in a conspiracy that involved illegal searches and vehicle stops, thefts from drug suspects and assaults.
Officer Daniel Pent pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to violate individuals' civil rights, using unreasonable and excessive force and filing a false police report. The 32-year-old Paterson resident faces up to 40 years in prison when he's sentenced Jan. 14.
In one instance in February 2017, federal prosecutors say Pent and another officer took $10,000 from a suspected drug dealer. Pent later filed a report saying the man had $36 in his possession.
Pent and other officers also routinely delivered a "running tax" to people they arrested. If someone ran, the officers would strike them multiple times, causing bodily injury.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.