A cop accused of using his shield and pistol to rob drug dealers of millions in cash and cocaine will remain behind bars while awaiting trial, a judge ordered yesterday.
At his arraignment yesterday, José Tejada, 45, pleaded not guilty to charges that he was a member of a violent criminal gang that invaded stash houses operated by at least 100 drug dealers in New York, Philadelphia and Bridgeport, Conn. — a spree that began a decade ago.
The 17-year NYPD veteran — who was assigned to the 28th Precinct — is now the third NYPD officer to be charged with joining forces with the gang to carry out robberies, following a federal Drug Enforcement Administration probe.
“This is a person who was willing to violate every oath he ever took,” Assistant US Attorney Alexander Solomon told the judge.
Tejada’s lawyer said he plans to fight the charges.