NJ Cop, Jailed Gang Member Conspired To Seriously Injure Witness: AG

TRENTON — A Trenton Police Officer and Hamilton resident - accused of lying on his job application and conspiring with a jailed gang member to set up an aggravated assault of a witness - was indicted on Tuesday, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.

A state grand jury returned an 11-count indictment against Rudy Lopez, 38, of Hamilton, on charges including tampering with public records, conspiracy, and a pattern of official misconduct.

Lopez’s brother, Lisandro Rivera, 40, also of Hamilton, was also indicted after allegedly conspiring with his brother to financially facilitate crimes, said Platkin.

An investigation by the Corruption Bureau of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) found that Lopez had been communicating since at least 2021 with a state prison inmate who is a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN) street gang, said Platkin.

It is alleged that on numerous occasions, Lopez and the incarcerated gang member talked about a person who they believed had cooperated in the inmate's prosecution.

Lopez and the inmate allegedly conspired to set up an aggravated assault targeting that victim, said Platkin.

According to the investigation, Lopez passed what he believed to be the victim's location to the imprisoned gang member.

Prosecutors also allege Lopez revealed confidential business of the Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to his co-conspirator.

Lopez reportedly failed to report his conversations with the inmate, failed to report the prisoner’s intent to cause significant bodily injury to the victim, and failed to warn of the credible threat against the victim, in violation of his duties as a police officer, according to the investigation.

On his job application with the Trenton Police Department Lopez did disclose he was not associated with any individuals who were gang members. He also allegedly did not include information about incarcerated relatives.

Lopez allegedly made the false statements to defraud the Trenton Police and to conceal his association with a gang member and relation to an incarcerated person, said Platkin.

Lopez is also accused of having marijuana with the intent to distribute. He and his brother, Rivera, are accused of having and managing money derived from criminal activity.

"As alleged, this case involves a member of law enforcement who violated his duties and participated in the commission of crimes," said Platkin. "The allegations in this indictment represent an egregious and shocking betrayal of the badge and of the citizens this officer swore an oath to protect."

"We allege that the fraudulent statements on the defendant’s job application deceived the Trenton Police Department into allowing someone who was unfit to serve as a police officer onto the force," said Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director of OPIA. "And once that individual had gained a position of public trust, he allegedly betrayed that trust, by committing crimes and failing to fulfill his duties of upholding and enforcing the law and protecting the community."

Lopez is facing the following charges:

• Tampering with public records (third-degree)
• Official misconduct (second-degree — three counts)
• Conspiracy (second-degree)
• Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (third-degree)
• Possession of CDS with intention to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property (third-degree)
• Pattern of official misconduct (second-degree)

Both brothers have been charged with the following crimes:

• Conspiracy (second-degree)
• Financial facilitation of criminal activity (third-degree)
• Financial facilitation of criminal activity (second-degree)

Both brothers face a sentence of up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000 on second-degree crimes and a sentence of up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000 on third-degree crimes.

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