March 16, 2000 

TRENTON POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED ON MISCONDUCT CHARGES 

      TRENTON – A veteran city police officer was arrested on official misconduct charges, accused of selling stolen electronics equipment, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto and Trenton Police Director James B. Golden Jr. announced in a joint statement today.

      The officer, Stephen B. Smith (DOB 4/12/59), was arrested about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday at his home, located in the first block of Cain Avenue, following the execution of a search warrant, Giaquinto said.

      The Special Investigations Unit of the prosecutor’s office conducted the investigation that resulted in Smith’s arrest, with assistance from the Trenton Police Internal Affairs Division (IAD.)

      Smith, a 9-year veteran of the city force, has been suspended with pay. He is accused of selling stolen electronics equipment to an undercover officer. A male drug user was allegedly supplying Smith with the stolen equipment for money to support his drug habit. The man went into electronics stores in the area, stole the equipment, and then allegedly sold that equipment to Smith in exchange for a small sum.

      The investigation was launched in January after IAD contacted the prosecutor’s office with information regarding Smith.

      Smith faces one count each of official misconduct, a second-degree offense, and receiving stolen property, a third-degree charge. If convicted, Smith could receive a maximum 10 years in prison and be barred from any public employment for life, Giaquinto said. Smith faces additional charges as a result of the on-going investigation.

      “This investigation would not have been successful without the cooperation of IAD. Despite that success, this is not a happy day for law enforcement. When something like this happens, all of law enforcement is tarnished. The public, however, should feel reassured that investigations of police misconduct are being aggressively pursued,” Giaquinto said.

      “It is unfortunate that a police officer has tarnished his badge allegedly for economic gain. It’s obvious, however, by this arrest that we will not tolerate unlawful conduct by those who are sworn to uphold the public trust and enforce the law,” Director Golden said.

      During the investigation, Smith allegedly sold a new compact disc recorder, valued at about $500, to an undercover officer. The equipment had been stolen from Circuit City.

      Smith also allegedly sold a new digital video disc player, valued at about $300, to the undercover officer. The equipment is also believed to have been stolen.

      Smith was also observed delivering another new digital video disc player to a residence in Trenton shortly before his arrest on Wednesday. That equipment was seized and it is also believed to have been stolen.

      In addition, seven new pieces of electronics equipment (all compact disc recorders and digital disc players) were seized from Smith’s home on Wednesday when the search warrant was executed.

      No additional arrests have been made at this time, but the investigation is continuing.

      Smith’s bail was set Wednesday at $5,000 and he was released from custody on his own recognizance.