NEW BRUNSWICK -- Six weeks before a former Edison police officer allegedly firebombed his superior's home, Michael Dotro had a plan to do the same thing to another superior, authorities said on Monday.

Dotro, who resigned from the Edison police department in September, stands accused of plotting with another officer, Christian Pedana, to set fire to Capt. Matthew Freeman's home in April 2013.

Edison police Capt. Matthew Freeman is pictured in this Star-Ledger file photo. (File photo)

The plot never materialized, authorities said, and Freeman did not suffer any injuries.

But Dotro, 39, was charged with conspiring to commit an aggravated arson and a related count of official misconduct, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey announced on Monday.

Dotro declined to comment after he appeared before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas Monday morning.

The latest charges add another layer to the former officer's history of disciplinary problems.

Dotro, who was a nine-year veteran of the Edison force, faces attempted murder and aggravated arson charges in connection with setting fire to the home of Mark Anderko, a captain who was promoted to deputy chief, around 4 a.m. on May 20, 2013. Anderko, asleep with his wife, his two young children and his 92-year-old mother all escaped the home unharmed.

The officer allegedly torched Anderko's home after the captain reportedly ordered him to undergo a psychological evaluation following his 11th excessive force complaint. Dotro pleaded not guilty in that case.

Dotro, along with four other officers, also pleaded guilty in September for their roles in a plot to retaliate against a North Brunswick police officer who cited one of the officer's relatives on a drunk driving charge.

In another case against the officer, prosecutors allege Dotro bought marijuana while in uniform, conspired to sell the drug, slashed a woman's tires and illegally accessed the police department's records database for personal use.

In the most recent case, Dotro and Pedana were charged as a result of an investigation by Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Donald Heck, Carey said. He said that arson-conspiracy investigation revealed the plot between the two officers.

Authorities previously seized the personal cell phones of more than a dozen colleagues who worked or were friendly with Dotro in connection with the investigation of the alleged retaliation against Anderko.

In searching those text messages, authorities discovered that Officer David Pedana, Christian Pedana's brother, sent text messages riddled with racial epithets. David Pedana was ordered to serve an unpaid suspension equivalent to 95 work days before he could return to the force.

Christian Pedana, a 16-year veteran of the Edison force, was also charged Monday with false swearing and official misconduct after authorities say he provided a false statement to Detective Heck on June 10, 2013, during an arson conspiracy investigation. It's unclear what Pedana's status with the department is.

A judge set bail for Pedana at $35,000.

Dotro's attorney, Robert Norton, indicated during the brief court appearance on Monday that his client plans to plead not guilty to the new charges. Dotro remains free on $1.6 million bail.

Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan declined to comment.

The investigation remains active, and authorities asked that anyone who has information call Detective Heck at (732) 745-3300.

NJ Advance Media reporter Jeff Goldman contributed to this report.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.