Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has arrested former Newark Police Officer Eddie Gonzalez, 37, of Newark for harassing and stalking women he previously dated, impersonating a police officer, illegal possession of weapons, identity theft and other offenses.
He is currently being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility on $100,000 cash bail.
According to Assistant Prosecutor David Feldman, who is handling the case, six different women had filed restraining orders against Gonzalez. It is alleged after the women would file restraining orders against him. In response, Gonzalez would file restraining orders against the women in an attempted to use the criminal process to re-victimize the women.
Yesterday, a search warrant was executed at his home. Detectives discovered two guns, hollow point bullets and a closet full of Newark Police uniforms that Gonzalez allegedly used to impersonate a police officer. In 2008, the Newark Police Department dismissed him.
In addition to the harassment and weapons charges, he is also charged with multiple counts of false swearing and multiple counts of contempt of court.
These are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Acting Prosecutor Murray commended Detective Eric Marino and Michael Massa of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their outstanding work on this case.
Gonzalez is scheduled to make his first court appearance on March 20thbefore the Honorable Verna Leath, Judge of the Superior Court.