Palisades Park Police Officer Charged with Possession of Cocaine in Fort Lee
Palisades Park Cop Allegedly Possessed Illegal Drugs at Residence
Law enforcement recently arrested a Palisades Park cop who allegedly possessed illegal drugs at his home in Fort Lee, NJ. The suspect is Richard J. Giacobone, a 39-year-old man who lives on Summit Avenue in Fort Lee and who works as a police officer for the Palisades Park Police Department. Giacobone was arrested after authorities searched his house and allegedly found illegal narcotics and banned weapons. The Palisades Park Police Department reached out to the Fort Lee Police Department after learning that Giacobone was possibly “under the influence of illegal narcotics.” Fort Lee police then worked with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Confidential Investigations Unit to investigate the allegations. Detectives eventually got a search warrant for Giacobone’s residence. A subsequent search of the home reportedly led to the discovery of cocaine, marijuana, and anabolic steroids, as well as large capacity ammunition magazines that are prohibited under New Jersey law.
After police allegedly found the drugs and weapons at Giacobone’s home in Fort Lee, NJ, police arrested him. He was then taken to Fort Lee police headquarters so that he could be processed before being moved to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey. On December 1, Giacobone will appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court. Depending on how Bergen County prosecutors proceed with the case, Giacobone could ultimately have to answer the drug crime charges in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
Severe Penalties for Felony Drug Possession in Bergen County, NJ
Illegal possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) is a very serious crime in NJ. In recent years, authorities in Fort Lee, Palisades Park, and just about everywhere else in Bergen County, NJ have been coming down hard on drug crime offenders in response to a statewide drug abuse epidemic. Giacobone, who faces criminal charges for possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of anabolic steroids, could end up behind bars for a long time if convicted. That’s because N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) classifies the cocaine possession charges as a third degree felony.
Not only has Giacobone been charged with drug crimes, but he has also been charged with criminal weapons offenses. Although Giacobone is employed as a cop, he was not legally permitted to possess large capacity ammunition magazines because those devices are banned under New Jersey law. In fact, the NJ Criminal Code imposes severe penalties for these kinds of criminal weapons offenses.
In addition to facing legal consequences of a conviction for a drug crime in New Jersey, Giacobone also faces employment consequences. If he is convicted of a felony, he would likely lose his job as a police officer in Palisades Park, NJ. Prior to starting his work for the Palisades Park Police Department, Giacobone worked as a cop for the New Milford Police Department. (He reportedly resigned from the New Milford police force in 2015.)
The Tormey Law Firm Defends Clients Against Drug Crime Charges in Fort Lee, NJ
Were you arrested and charged with cocaine possession, cocaine distribution, or any other drug crime in Fort Lee, NJ? Then you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer immediately. The Tormey Law Firm has a track record of success when it comes to defending clients against cocaine possession charges in Bergen County, New Jersey. Contact us now to start your defense.
