NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced Nov. 5 that 25-year veteran Newark Police Officer Anthony L. Gibson, 50, of Newark, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, theft and passing bad checks totaling $19,000.
“The arrest today will reinforce to all that the ECPO has zero tolerance for the violation of their oath by sworn police officers,” Stephens said. “While this defendant, like all others, is entitled to his day in court we believe the evidence overwhelmingly shows that he abused his position as a police officer time and again. First and most egregiously, by being involved with the sale of cocaine. Secondly, by stealing a truck belonging to a car dealership and, finally, by stealing sick time from the city of Newark.”
According to Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Albu, director of the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Gibson is accused of forcing a drug dealer to sell cocaine and give Gibson the proceeds. It is alleged that Gibson would give the drug dealer $5,000 to buy cocaine and the drug dealer would have to give Gibson $10,000.
It is further alleged that in July 2018, Gibson purchased a 2018 Dodge Ram truck from Woody Folsom Car, a dealership in Baxley, Ga.; the purchase was done remotely from Newark. Gibson asked if he could pay for the vehicle when it arrived. The dealership agreed after seeing his Newark Police identification card. When the truck was delivered to Newark, Gibson provided checks totaling $19,000 which were returned due to insufficient funds. Despite repeated efforts to get payment, to date, Gibson never paid the dealership, according to Albu.
Gibson was also charged with abusing sick time. From February 2107 to November 2018, Gibson received more than $10,000 in sick pay from the city of Newark while working a security job at St. Michael’s Medical Center.
Stephens commended the Newark Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau for its assistance in this case.
“We have no room in the Newark Police Division for people like this,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said. “This type of conduct will not be tolerated. This officer does not represent the hardworking men and women of the Newark Police Department.”
Gibson is currently being housed at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.
If convicted of all the charges, Gibson could face more than 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
These are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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