A Paterson Police officer was indicted today for physically assaulting a victim and then attempting to cover it up, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Federal officials charged Mr. Kevin Patino, 29, of Paterson with one count of conspiracy against rights by depriving a man of his constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by law enforcement officers, one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of falsification of records in connection with that incident.
According to documents filed in this case:
At approximately 12:30 a.m., December 14, 2020, Patino and a partner, Kendry Tineo-Restituyo, 28, approached the victim, who walked with hands in his pockets in Paterson.
Patino grabbed the victim.
When the victim attempted to separate himself, Patino struck the victim in the face and body numerous times.
During the altercation with the victim, the conspirator picked the victim up and threw him to the ground. Patino then repeatedly struck the victim while he was on the ground.
Patino filed police reports, which contained numerous false statements and omissions, regarding the victim's arrest.
The violation of civil rights and conspiracy to violate civil rights charges each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The false records counts each has a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000.