A 30-year-old Linden Police sergeant who had previously been suspended without pay is now facing drug possession and distribution charges, authorities said Thursday.

William F. Turbett III is facing criminal charges in the wake of a narcotics investigation. His girlfriend, 22-year-old Nicolette Hendrickson of Sayreville, is also facing charges. According to the Union County prosecutor, the sergeant has been charged with fourth-degree distribution of marijuana as well as possession of marijuana. If convicted, the charges could result in sentences ranging from probation to 18 months in state prison, police said.

The arrest came after authorities executed a search warrant of Turbett's Sayreville home Wednesday night and seized a "small amount of marijuana," the Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

Hendrickson, who police say was was also at the home when the search took place, was charged with a disorderly persons offense as well as  possession of marijuana.

"Both she and Turbett were charged via summons and released on their own recognizance," the prosecutor said.

Authorities say Turbett was already on unpaid suspension from the Linden Police Department for an unrelated matter before the drug charges were filed.

"The Linden Police Department cooperated with the Prosecutor’s Office during the course of its investigation," the prosecutor said.

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

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