N.J. State Trooper Arrested For Stopping Women For Dates, Phone Numbers: U.S. Attorney

A New Jersey State Trooper from Union County was arrested and suspended for pulling over young women and trying to get them to go on a date with him or give him their phone numbers, authorities announced.

Trooper Marquice Prather, 37, of Linden, was arrested late Friday, Dec. 9, on charges of third-degree tampering with public records or information and fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records, according to US Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino.

Trooper Prather allegedly pulled over young women between the ages of 20 and 35 and solicited them to go on a date with him or give him their phone numbers.

The ongoing investigation has revealed several alleged violations by Prather, including:

1. intentionally deactivating his wireless microphone during such incidents and falsely reporting that it malfunctioned; and
2. falsely reporting the gender of drivers he pulled over to disguise the fact that he stopped a high number of females.

Several women filed complaints against Prather alleging improper conduct. A number of other women also gave statements outlining similar alleged conduct after they were contacted by investigators who were auditing Prather’s patrol activities.

Prather was released without bail after being processed on the charges. He has been suspended without pay from his position as a state trooper in connection with the charges.

Prather could face three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000 on third-degree charges and up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for fourth degree charges.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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