State Trooper Admits Using FBI Database To Stalk Woman: AG

A New Jersey State Trooper has admitted that he illegally used an FBI database to obtain personal information about a woman, the Attorney General’s Office announced on Monday. Charges that he repeatedly stopped two women in an effort to force them into personal relationships were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Trooper Eric Richardson, 32, of Camden, pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree charge of obtaining personal information from a motor vehicle record, according to authorities. He faces probation and would have to forfeit his position as a state trooper. He would be permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey.

He will also have to stay away from all three women, and he would have to pay restitution if the women need counseling as a result of his alleged actions.

He admitted that he illegally accessed the FBI—Criminal Justice Information Services database on behalf of a male friend to do a “driver inquiry” on a woman the friend employed to determine if her driver history reflected any warrants or drug activity, authorities said. Richardson photographed her driver history and texted it to his friend.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.

Richardson was accused of stopping two young women repeatedly between August 2016 and August 2017, and using several methods to try to force them into a personal relationship.

The first alleged incident took place on Nov. 22, 2016, when authorities say he stopped a woman for driving with illegally tinted windows. Although her registration was expired, authorities say Richardson attempted to win favor with her by not towing the vehicle and letting her drive away.

However, he followed her and stopped her a second time, authorities said. He then insisted on getting her number, even though she said she was in a relationship, authorities said. Later, Richardson sent numerous texts to the woman using the number he obtained.

On Jan. 3, 2017, police said he falsely reported in the official dispatch log that he stopped to help her when, in reality, he stopped one of the women to ask her if she still had the same phone number. He deactivated the dashboard camera in his car during some of the stops, police said.

On Dec. 23, 2016, police said he told dispatchers and recorded in the official dispatch log on the computer that he stopped a man when in fact he stopped one of the women he allegedly was harassing. The stop occurred in Gloucester Township, and police said he threatened to arrest her if she didn't give him her phone number.

Her license was suspended, and she had a warrant out for her arrest. He pulled out his handcuffs, and threatened to arrest her but let her go after she gave him her phone number, authorities said. He then used the phone number to communicate with her, police said.

Richardson was suspended by the New Jersey State Police after being charged by complaint in this case on May 31, 2017. He was subsequently indicted.

The attached image of Eric Richardson was provided by the Attorney General's Office