Heroin Charges Against Former "Rape Cop" Kenneth Moreno Dropped

More good news for ex-NYPD officer Kenneth Moreno, who was acquitted in May of raping a woman in her East Village apartment while he was on duty: DNAinfo reports that a judge has dismissed his misdemeanor heroin possession charge today at the city's request. Because Moreno was sentenced to the maximum penalty of a year in jail for official misconduct related to the rape charge, there was "no criminal justice purpose served to proceed on the two additional misdemeanors stemming from [Moreno]'s possession of two glassine envelopes of heroin found in his locker," the Assistant DA said.

Moreno's attorney, Joseph Tacopina, has argued that the heroin was found in a shared locker, and that it didn't belong to him. "We're eager to put this entire sordid chapter of Mr. Moreno's life behind him," Tacopina told the Post. However, that won't happen until Moreno and his co-defendant Franklin Mata formally file their appeals, or serve their time. In Moreno's case it's one year; for Mata, 60 days.

The defense has argued that because misdemeanor official misconduct requires that the perpetrator receive a "benefit," Moreno and Mata's charges should be dismissed because they got no such thing. Besides some extra shuteye, shoulder kisses, and a chance to practice "Livin' on a Prayer" in bed with a naked stranger.

Gothamist has published a long-form feature about the Rape Cop case, written by one of the jurors. It takes you behind the scenes during their deliberations, and explains how they came to their controversial verdict. Buy it today as a PDF or on Kindle or iBooks.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christopher Robbins in News on September 12, 2011 3:25 PM

Comments [rss]

Manderin

Pedophiles flock to become priests because it is one of the few lifestyles where they can easily explain never dating any women and being around children often without raising suspicion of their perversion while at the same time gaining the respect and trust of the parents who unsuspectingly leave their children unnattended with them. Criminal types flock to become cops because it is one of the few lifestyles that allows you to commit crimes without suffering the consequences that the average criminal would.

randomtransplant

In that case, I know a couple people who would like their futures back after having had pot, LSD, and god knows what else found in their High school lockers - We all knew each others combinations.

That is FUCKED.

SFNY

WTF?! What's next? "Charges that Moreno, after stealing a senior center's bingo prize money, drove his squad car at speeds in excess of 75 m.p.h. through the adjacent pre-kindergarten playground at noon, running over three toddlers and a box full of 27 kittens, were also dismissed."