FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org

TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor

WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org

DATE: Monday, June 18, 2018

Corrections Officer Arrested For Smuggling Contraband

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Friday, June 15, 2018, shortly after 1:45 p.m., Alex Almeida, age 40, of Kearny, was arrested by members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Public Integrity — Internal Affairs Unit, for his involvement in the smuggling and distribution of contraband into the Hudson County Correctional Facility. Almeida was arrested at the HCCF without incident during an undercover operation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force.

Almeida has been charged with Official Misconduct in violation of N.J.S. 2C:30-2 and Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S. 2C:30-2. He was processed and released on Friday, June 15. Almeida is scheduled to make his first appearance on these charges in Central Judicial Processing Court in the Hudson County Administration Building at 11 a.m. on June 26, 2018.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Narcotics Task Force and the Internal Affairs Unit with the arrest.

Hudson County Department of Corrections Director Ronald Edwards said, “The leadership of the Hudson County Corrections Department remains dedicated to the highest professional and ethical standards of the law enforcement profession. We have a zero tolerance for any behavior that compromises public and/or officer safety and we will proactively investigate and prosecute any violation of these standards. We will never compromise these core values.”

The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).