Suspended Linden cop admits to selling pot

A suspended Linden police sergeant has agreed to forfeit his position and not seek public employment again after admitting Wednesday to distributing marijuana in a neighboring county, authorities said.

William F. Turbett III, 30, appeared in court Wednesday morning and pleaded guilty on one count of fourth-degree marijuana distribution, according to acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park.

Turbett, who had been suspended from duty without pay for an unrelated matter prior to the drug charges, was charged after authorities executed a search warrant of Turbett’s Sayreville home earlier this month and located "a small amount of marijuana." He was issued a summons and released of his own recognizance, authorities said.

According to the prosecutor, Turbett agreed to a plea deal, which requires him to leave his position on the Linden police force. In addition, under the plea deal, he will forfeit his right to ever again seek public employment in New Jersey, Park said.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for July 22 before state Superior Court Judge Frederic McDaniel. The prosecutor said convictions on fourth-degree crimes may be punishable by terms ranging from probation up to 18 months in state prison.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.