Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Orlando Trinidad, 34, of Bloomfield was sentenced to a five-year prison term, with a five-year period of parole ineligibility, by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court.
On Nov. 5, 2015 two Bloomfield police officers – Trinidad and Sean Courter, 35, of Englishtown – were convicted of conspiracy to commit official misconduct, official misconduct, tampering with public records, falsifying public records and false swearing as a result of events that occurred during a June 7, 2012 traffic stop on the Garden State Parkway.
The officers alleged in police reports that Marcus Jeter, the driver, resisted arrest and tried to grab Courter’s weapon. For nearly a year, Jeter, who was 30 at the time, was facing charges that could have resulted in a five year prison sentence for him.
A dash cam video released following an Open Public Records Act request made by Jeter’s lawyer later revealed the allegations were false, prompting the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to drop the charges against Jeter and open an investigation into the officers’ misconduct. The video showed Jeter with his hands up in a surrender position.
Today Trinidad was sentenced to five years. Sentencing for Courter was postponed. A date has not been set yet.
Trinidad, who struck Jeter as he was pulled from the car, was also charged with aggravated assault but the jury convicted him of the lesser offense of simple assault.
Another officer, Albert Sutterlin was also charged. He resigned from the department and pleaded guilty to tampering with records and false swearing two years ago.
Assistant Prosecutor Berta Rodriguez, who tried the case, said, “What happened in this case was very troubling. Marcus Jeter was unjustly charged with crimes he did not commit. The outcome vindicates Mr. Jeter and underscores that no one is above the law, including police officers. Justice prevailed with the sentence imposed today.’’
Rodriguez tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Frantzou Simon.