Clinton patrolman Leon Cohen was sentenced today, July 13 to
five years in prison on an official misconduct charge.
Cohen pleaded guilty before Judge Stephen Rubin in Superior
Court in Flemington on June 6 to second-degree official misconduct.
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said
Cohen’s arrest a year ago was the result of a joint investigation conducted by
the HCPO Bureau of Professional Standards and the Town of Clinton Police
Department Internal Affairs Unit.
Prosecutor Kearns said, “In June 2011, the Town of Clinton Police Department Internal Affairs Unit began an investigation into possible misconduct by Patrolman Leon Cohen. It soon became apparent that the investigation involved criminal acts. At that time, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office joined the investigation. Evidence obtained by detectives resulted in Cohen being charged with official misconduct, theft and forgery.”
Prosecutor Kearns said, “In June 2011, the Town of Clinton Police Department Internal Affairs Unit began an investigation into possible misconduct by Patrolman Leon Cohen. It soon became apparent that the investigation involved criminal acts. At that time, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office joined the investigation. Evidence obtained by detectives resulted in Cohen being charged with official misconduct, theft and forgery.”
“The investigation originated when members of the police
department reported to their supervisors that Patrolman Cohen was possibly
selling police issued equipment on the internet. Further investigation revealed
that Cohen was falsifying documents to obtain additional equipment, purportedly
for the DARE Program, and possibly selling the equipment or keeping it for his
own personal use,” said Kearns.
Clinton Police Chief Brett Matheis said, “Leon Cohen began
working for the Town of Clinton Police Department in 1999. Part of his duties
included School Resource Officer and DARE Officer for Clinton Public
School."
He was suspended from the department after his arrest.
Prosecutor Kearns added, “The allegations were investigated
properly and thoroughly. This officer violated the public trust and was held
accountable.”
As part of the plea agreement, the charges of theft and forgery
were dismissed. Cohen has paid restitution to Clinton and resigned from the
police department as part of the plea agreement.
Cohen had faced up to 10 years in state prison.
The case was handled by Assistant Prosecutor John Burke.