First ex-JCPD officer sentenced in stand-around job scheme

Christopher Ortega, who was convicted in the stand around scheme along with dozens of other JCPD officers including a former chief, was sentenced to three years probation for his part in federal court in Newark. Ortega went to court facing up to five years and was spared prison because of his contrition:

"...facing as many as five years in prison for the conspiracy to commit fraud charge, but U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez argued that a less severe sentence was appropriate because Ortega accepted responsibility for his crimes, did not blame anyone else for them and is unlikely to re-offend."

Johnny thinks the lesson here is that it's never too late to admit you fucked up and never too late certainly to ask for forgiveness. Not all the cops involved felt like Mr. Ortega. Not all are going to get probation either.