PATERSON — Police Officer Kevin Patino has agreed to plead guilty in federal authorities’ case accusing him of using excessive force in a video-recorded incident in South Paterson in 2020, court records show.
But the court records do not provide details on the impending deal, such as what crime Patino will admit that he committed and whether he will go to prison as part of the plea.
“The terms of the plea agreement are not public until a guilty plea is actually entered,” the United States Attorney’s Office said in response to an inquiry from Paterson Press.
Plea agreement hearing
Patino’s plea agreement hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Newark, but the session has been postponed until Feb. 8. Patino’s lawyer could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, court records say Patino’s partner, Kendry Tineo-Restituyo, who also was charged in the incident, plans to go to trial to fight the accusations against him.
“We are waiting for our trial to be scheduled,” said Tineo-Restituyo’s lawyer, Pat Caserta.