Paterson cop Ruben McAusland pleads guilty, admits in federal court he sold drugs

Paterson police officer Ruben McAusland admitted in federal court that he stole heroin, cocaine, crack and marijuana from crime scenes while he was in uniform and on duty in 2017 and later sold the drugs.

McAusland, 26, also said he was on duty last March when he pushed, punched and struck a suicide patient while the victim was in a wheelchair and laying on a bed at a Paterson hospital, and then tried to cover up the crime by filing a false police report.

With his mother and father sitting in the courtroom, McAusland wore a dress shirt, necktie, slacks and belt – all in various shades of white – as he became the first Paterson police officer convicted in an ongoing FBI probe that has resulted in the arrests of three other city cops.

McAusland pleaded guilty to one drug dealing offense and conspiracy to violate the hospital patient’s civil rights – crimes that carry a total maximum prison sentence of 50 years and a minimum of five. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 9.

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