COP CHARGED WITH STEALING COCAINE

The Associated Press

ATLANTIC CITY For the second time in a week, a police official was
charged here with official misconduct.

Detective Joseph D. Russell, a 17year veteran of the department
assigned to its stakeout unit, is accused of stealing cocaine from a
desk drawer in City Hall, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jeffrey Blitz said
Monday.

Russell, 39, of Hamilton Township, is accused of removing a halfgram of
cocaine from a drawer, where it had been left packaged and marked as
evidence in a criminal case, Blitz said.

Russell did not have the authority to touch the evidence, Blitz said. He
was arrested Sunday at City Hall. It will be up to a grand jury to
decide whether Russell should face drug charges, Blitz said.

Official misconduct is a seconddegree charge. If convicted, Russell
could receive 10 years in prison. He will be arraigned Dec. 19.

Last week, the civilian supervisor of the Police Department's towing lot
was accused of pocketing more than $16,000 in fees collected from
motorists. Michael Friel, 59, of Atlantic City is charged with official
misconduct. He is a 15year veteran of the department.

Asked if prosecutors were targeting the Police Department, Blitz said
no.

Copyright 1997 Bergen Record Corp.