September 26, 2008

Corrections officer assigned to Clinton Twp. facility convicted on drug charge

After nine hours of deliberation, a Somerset County jury Friday convicted a state corrections officer on a drug charge while the presiding judge barred the man from ever holding an official position again, according to authorities.

Kevin Scott, 41, of Scotch Plains was found guilty of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance after a four-day trial before state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman, authorities said.

Coleman also found Scott guilty of a related disorderly persons offense of possession of drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

At the time of his arrest, Scott was a state corrections officer assigned to the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in the Annandale section of Clinton Township, according to police.

Immediately after the jury returned its verdict, Coleman ordered Scott to forfeit his position and ruled that he should be barred from ever serving in an official capacity again, according to authorities.

Scott, who faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, will remain free pending sentencing, prosecutors said.