A former Clinton police officer has pleaded guilty to official misconduct after being investigated for selling police gear on eBay, authorities announced today.

Former officer Leon Cohen, of Andover, N.J., faces five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for selling police issued equipment on the internet, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III said. Under the plea agreement offered by county prosecutors, theft by deception and forgery charges were dismissed. Cohen also agreed to resign from the police department and pay restitution, according to Kearns.



While working as the school resource and D.A.R.E. officer at Clinton Public School, Cohen falsified documents, claiming to acquire additional equipment for the Drug Awareness and Resistance Education program. Kearns declined to provide details on the equipment, but confirmed that Cohen didn't sell any weapons.

He sold and kept the equipment for his own use, according to authorities. Investigation of misconduct allegations began in June 2011, leading to Cohen's arrest July 12.



Kearns said that he wasn't aware of any prior incidents of officer misconduct similar to Cohen's case.

Since Cohen was suspended last year, the 10-officer department has operated on a short staff, said Clinton police Chief Bret Matheis. He commended the department for working hard in Cohen's absence.