No jail for Lakewood cop who covered up illegal car search

A police officer who covered up an illegal search of a vehicle has been spared a prison term.

Former Lakewood Patrolman Jeremy Felder received a year of probation on Friday and also forfeited his job.

Ocean County prosecutors say the 29-year-old Felder and his partner stopped a car in Lakewood in August 2013 and searched it without first getting a warrant. The search was committed after the driver and passenger had been arrested on outstanding warrants.

Prosecutors say Felder later falsified documents and police reports to conceal his wrongdoing. He had pleaded guilty in June to tampering with a record to hinder his own prosecution.

The officer who was with Felder remains on the Lakewood police force. He was not accused of any wrongdoing.

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