Former Irvington Cop Sentenced in Teen Assault

A former New Jersey police officer has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted for his role in the kidnapping and assault of a 17-year-old girl.

Herne Lacoste (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)

The Star-Ledger of Newark reports former Irvington Police Officer Herne Lacoste was sentenced Friday in state Superior Court in Somerville.

Prosecutors say the 41-year-old Lacoste was off-duty in 2011 when he watched his 19-year-old girlfriend, Shanikah Daniels of East Orange, and Markessa Coleman, assault a teenage girl after robbing her. Lacoste was found guilty of several charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault and official misconduct.

Daniels was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday in a separate hearing.

Coleman accepted a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against LaCoste and Daniels.