By: Richard L. Smith
Officer Lorenzo Bowden, 39, a Passaic County correctional officer, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice in connection with the assault of a pretrial detainee, announced U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
The guilty plea was entered today before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark federal court.
The case details a grim misuse of power where Bowden, alongside Sergeants Jose Gonzalez and Donald Vinales, facilitated an assault on a handcuffed detainee who posed no threat.
According to U.S. Attorney Sellinger, Bowden transported the detainee to an area within the Passaic County Jail that lacked video surveillance—a so-called "blind spot"—where the detainee was subsequently beaten.
"Lorenzo Bowden stood by while other officers repeatedly hit and assaulted the handcuffed detainee," Sellinger said.
He emphasized the breach of trust this action represented in a community that relies on law enforcement officers to uphold constitutional rights.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Hames E. Dennehy echoed these sentiments, criticizing Bowden and his co-conspirators for choosing to handle the situation outside of established legal procedures and then lying to cover up their actions.
"As law enforcement, we must live up to a higher standard of behavior because of the legal and physical power we wield," Dennehy stated.
The incident was traced back to January 22, 2021, following an altercation where a detainee allegedly squirted a urine mixture onto another officer.
This preceded the subsequent assault and the coordinated effort to obstruct justice.
After receiving federal subpoenas, Bowden and his colleagues met to decide their course of action, which included agreeing not to cooperate with the investigation and denying the occurrence of the assault.
Bowden's charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
His sentencing is scheduled for September 5, 2024, marking a significant date for justice in what has been a high-profile case of law enforcement misconduct.