Newark Driver Arrested for Fraudulent Registration and Drug Possession After Traffic Stop!
On August 19, 2024, at around 7:50 a.m., Florham Park Officer Nick Cotterell pulled over a vehicle on Columbia Turnpike near James Street. The stop was initiated due to several observed motor vehicle violations, including an expired and suspicious-looking temporary registration.
During the stop, Officer Cotterell found that the temporary registration was fraudulent, and the insurance documentation provided by the driver was also fake. A search of the vehicle and driver led to the discovery of illegal drugs, suspected to be cocaine.
The driver, a 41-year-old man from Newark, was found to be driving without a license. He was arrested at the scene and taken to Police Headquarters for processing. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
The suspect was charged with multiple crimes and motor vehicle offenses, including:
- Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (3rd-degree crime, 2C:35-10a(1))
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Disorderly person offense, 2C:36-2A)
- Possession of a Counterfeit Registration Plate (4th-degree crime, 2C:28-7A(2))
- Uttering a Counterfeit Insurance Document (4th-degree crime, 2C:21-2.3B)
- Failure to Keep Right (Motor vehicle offense)
- Fraudulent Use of a Registration (Motor vehicle offense)
- Fictitious Plates on a Vehicle (Motor vehicle offense)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle While Possessing a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Motor vehicle offense)
- Unregistered Vehicle (Motor vehicle offense)
- Uninsured Vehicle (Motor vehicle offense)
- Uninspected Vehicle (Motor vehicle offense)
- Unlicensed Driver (Motor vehicle offense)
The individual was released on a summons and is scheduled to appear in Morris County Superior Court for a hearing regarding the charges.