Paterson Police Officer Charged With Distributing Narcotics

NEWARK, N.J. – An officer with the Paterson Police Department was arrested today for allegedly dealing heroin, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and marijuana on multiple occasions between October 2017 and April 2018, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Ruben McAusland, 26, of Paterson, was arrested by federal agents this morning and charged by complaint with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute narcotics. He is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint:

Between October 2017 and April 2018, McAusland allegedly sold various types and quantities of narcotics to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement.

In October 2017, McAusland allegedly sold the individual approximately 35 grams of marijuana, 48 grams of heroin, 31 grams of cocaine, and 31 grams of crack cocaine for $50. In addition, he sold a pound of marijuana to the individual on two separate occasions between November 2017 and January 2018, charging $2,500 for the first sale and $2,400 for the second.

In February 2018, McAusland offered to sell the individual one kilogram of cocaine. Then, on multiple occasions between February 2018 and April 2018, McAusland allegedly sold the individual pills that were made to resemble Percocet doses but were actually made of heroin. McAusland sold the pills to the individual for approximately $7 per pill.

On Feb. 11, 2018, McAusland met the individual in his police vehicle at a supermarket parking lot near the Paterson Police Department headquarters. McAusland handed the individual approximately four sample heroin pills. Afterwards, on various dates in 2018, McAusland sold heroin pills to the individual, including a sale of 1,010 pills on April 1, 2018 for $7,000.

Narcotics distribution carries the following penalties: a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine for possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin or 28 grams or more of crack cocaine; a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine; and a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possessing with intent to distribute marijuana.

The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley W. Cohen in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest. He also thanked the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale and Police Chief Troy Oswald, and the Paterson Police Department Office of Internal Affairs, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.

Defense counsel: John C. Whipple Esq., Chatham, New Jersey