Division Of Criminal Justice
Vaughn L. McKoy, Director

For Immediate Release:
Sept. 30, 2004

For Further InformationContact:
John R. Hagerty
(609) 984-1936

NEWARK POLICE OFFICER INDICTED BY STATE GRAND JURY ON
NARCOTICS & OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT CHARGES

Division of Criminal Justice & Newark PD Conduct Ongoing Investigations
Targeting Police Corruption and Misconduct

Newark -- Attorney General Peter C. Harvey announced that the Division of Criminal Justice, in concert with the Newark Police Department, has charged a Newark Police Officer with trafficking in illegal drugs and official misconduct as part of several independent and ongoing investigations targeting police corruption and misconduct by purported "rogue" officers in the Newark Police Department.

Attorney General Harvey and Newark Police Director Anthony F. Ambrose, III noted that a Newark police officer pleaded guilty in Essex County Superior Court last week to charges that he abused his office by "shaking-down" and stealing cash and other items from purported drug dealers and other individuals. The Division of Criminal Justice and Newark Police Department investigations targeting corruption and other potential illegal activities by additional Newark police officers remains ongoing.

Harvey and Ambrose said the investigations target "rogue" police officers suspected of operating outside police operations and procedures and that additional charges against other officers are anticipated. The law enforcement officials said that the overwhelming majority of Newark police officers serve and protect the public welfare with the goal of making Newark a safer city in which to live and work.

According to Vaughn L. McKoy, Director, Division of Criminal Justice, Newark Police Officer Brandy Johnson, 28, Tuxedo Parkway, Newark, was charged via a State Grand Jury indictment with conspiracy, two counts of official misconduct, two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school, and hindering apprehension.

The State Grand Jury indictment also charged Khalid Onion, 30, Tuxedo Parkway, Newark, with conspiracy, two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, and two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school. Johnson faces up to 50 years in state prison and more than $800,000 in fines upon any conviction. Onion faces up to 35 years in state prison and a fines exceeding $500,000 upon any conviction. Director Ambrose has initiated internal action and has suspended Officer Johnson without pay pending the outcome of the criminal charges.

The indictment charges that Brandy, a Newark police officer since 1999 and assigned to the West District in Newark, sold approximately 11 grams of cocaine valued at $400 to an undercover State Investigator assigned to the Division of Criminal Justice on April 20. It is alleged that the drug transaction took place at Johnson's Tuxedo Parkway residence which is located within 1,000 feet of the Mount Vernon School.

The indictment also charges that Onion, identified as Johnson's paramour, sold approximately 29 grams of cocaine valued at $1,200 to the undercover State Investigator on April 28. The illegal drug transaction took place on in the vicinity of Baldwin and Clinton Avenues and within 1,000 feet of the Blessed Sacrament School.

Additionally, a second State Grand Jury indictment charged Johnson with hindering apprehension and official misconduct by hiding Onion in her Tuxedo Parkway residence until Aug. 29, when Onion was arrested hiding in the attic of the apartment.

On July 16, Johnson was arrested at the Newark Police Department by Newark police officers assigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau and State Investigators from the Division of Criminal Justice. Johnson was held on $1 million bail which was reduced to $25,000 on July 22. Onion remains incarcerated in the Essex County Jail in lieu of $700,000 bail. Both defendants will be required to appear in Essex County Superior Court for arraignment.

On Sept. 24, Attorney General Harvey and Director Ambrose announced that Newark Police Officer Tryone Dudley, 37, Newark, pleaded guilty before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg to a criminal Accusation which charged one count of conspiracy to commit official misconduct – a third degree crime punishable by up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. As part of the guilty plea, Dudley will forfeit his public position as a police officer and will cooperate with ongoing investigations by the Division of Criminal Justice and the Newark Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau. Read Sept. 24 release>>

The Accusation charged that from December, 2002 - April, 2004, Dudley and other Newark police officers engaged in criminal acts including official misconduct, theft, tampering with public records, and falsifying police reports as part of an ongoing conspiracy to steal money from criminal suspects. The Accusation charged that Dudley obtained more than $500 from criminal suspects as part of the conspiracy to steal money. Specifically, the Accusation charged that on Feb. 8, Dudley and other Newark police officers unlawfully entered and unlawfully searched an apartment located at 530A S. 19th St. and, to cover up the illegal activity, filed false reports to police supervisors.

"These investigations continue to target corrupt police officers who have allegedly chosen to violate the law they were sworn to enforce in order to satisfy their own personal greed," said Director McKoy. "Law enforcement officers swear under oath to uphold the law and to safeguard the public trust. Any allegation of criminal conduct or wrongdoing by law enforcement officers will be investigated and prosecuted."

In announcing the indictments and criminal Accusation, Attorney General Harvey and Director McKoy noted that the Division of Criminal Justice has established a toll-free "Corruption Tipline" for the public to report corruption, police misconduct and other illegal activities. The statewide "Crime TipLine" is: 1-866-TIPS-4CJ. Additionally, the public can log-on to the Division of Criminal Justice Web Page at www.njdcj.org to electronically report suspected wrongdoing. All information received via the Division of Criminal Justice will remain confidential.

The Division of Criminal Justice investigation was coordinated by Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Ruggerio and State Investigator Chris Harden of the Division of Criminal Justice - Special Prosecutions Bureau and the Newark Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau. The Division of Criminal Justice - Organized Crime & Racketeering Bureau assisted in the investigation. DAG Ruggerio presented the case to the State Grand Jury.

A copy of the indictments and related information is available via the Division of Criminal Justice web page at www.njdcj.org.

An indictment is merely a charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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