Three Paterson Police Officers Sentenced for Roles in Violating Individuals’ Civil Rights

NEWARK, N.J. – Three Paterson, New Jersey, police officers were sentenced today for their respective roles in a conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden handed down the following sentences in Newark federal court:

• Police Officer Jonathan Bustios, 33, of Paterson, New Jersey, was sentenced to 24  months in prison. Bustios previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights and one count of extortion under color of official right.

• Police Officer Eudy Ramos, 35, of Paterson, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Ramos previously pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven of an indictment against him, charging him with conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights and filing a false police report. Ramos also pleaded guilty to an information charging him with using unreasonable and excessive force in violation of individuals’ civil rights.

• Police Officer Matthew Torres, 33, of Paterson, was sentenced to three years of probation. Torres previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights and filing a false police report.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Hayden sentenced Bustios and Ramos to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings. He also thanked the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, and the Paterson Police Department Office of Internal Affairs, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jihee G. Suh, Deputy Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the Special Prosecutions Division.