A state trooper in New Jersey is facing charges for allegedly pulling over women to ask them out on dates, coercive and frightening encounters that he allegedly had to adjust records to commit.
The Associated Press reports that 37-year-old Marquice Prather was put under investigation by the New Jersey State Police Office of Professional Standards after several women complained about his behavior. A pattern became clear to investigators:
Investigators found that Prather showed a pattern of stopping women between the ages of 20 and 35 to ask them to go on dates or for their phone numbers.
Investigators said Prather would turn off his wireless microphone during the stops and falsely report it had malfunctioned. They also said he manipulated data to conceal that he was targeting a high number of women drivers.
Prather was arrested on Friday and charged with third-degree tampering with public records or information and fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records. Both charges carry jail time and fines between $10,000 and $15,000. NJ.com reports that Prather’s attorney, Robert Ebberup, has said he will not plead guilty, only adding, “We can’t comment on the case until more information is available.”
NBC Philadelphia reports that Prathers has been released without bail, and suspended without pay. Prathers has been on the force since 2013, and makes an annual salary of $60,749,