PATERSON — Another city officer has admitted his role in a conspiracy that involved illegal searches and vehicle stops, thefts from drug suspects and assaults.

Officer Daniel Pent pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to violate individuals' civil rights, using unreasonable and excessive force and filing a false police report. The 32-year-old Paterson resident faces up to 40 years in prison when he's sentenced Jan. 14.

Pent is the seventh cop to be found guilty in the investigation.

In one instance in February 2017, federal prosecutors say Pent and another officer took $10,000 from a suspected drug dealer. Pent later filed a report saying the man had $36 in his possession.

Pent and other officers also routinely delivered a "running tax" to people they arrested. If someone ran, the officers would strike them multiple times, causing bodily injury.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM