Vincent Saggese, a former Plainfield police officer, plead guilty Aug. 9, 2016, in Somerset County Superior Court to receiving stolen property.
SOMERVILLE -- A former Plainfield police officer plead guilty Tuesday in Somerset County Superior Court to receiving stolen property after being caught in a 2015 undercover sting conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.
Vincent Saggese (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)Vincent Saggese, 34, of Metuchen, admitted to meeting with an undercover agent from the prosecutor's office twice between March 29 and April 17 to negotiate the sale of stolen computer equipment and KnCMiner Neptune computers, which are used to "mine" for the electronic currency, Bitcoin.
Bitcoin mining is the process of solving certain math problems in exchange for the currency.
Saggese, who has been suspended without pay pending the final disposition of the case, was indicted on official misconduct and receiving stolen property.
Under the plea agreement, Saggese plead guilty to third-degree receiving stolen property. Two counts of second-degree official misconduct were dismissed. He will sentenced to probation - between one and five years, must serve 50 hours of community service and forfeit his job with the Plainfield Police Department.
Furthermore, Saggese can't hold another public office in the state.
Judge Bruce A. Jones set Nov. 4 as the sentencing date.
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Saggese, who was also a member of the Union County SWAT Team, had been on the force for 10 years and earned an annual salary of $85,924, according to the New Jersey Open Data Center.
In addition to selling the stolen equipment, Saggese also accepted $250 from the undercover agent in exchange for providing the detective with an address of a license plate owner and to also provide a photo of that person, authorities previously stated.
Assistant Prosecutor William Guhl handled the case for the state.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.