Former college police officer admits to distributing oxycodone

CAMDEN, N.J. — A former Richard Stockton College of New Jersey police officer admitted Thursday to selling oxycodone-based pills to an undercover officer, and a witness, who was cooperating with law enforcement officers. The guilty plea follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the DEA-led Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force.

Marcus Taylor, 41, of Sicklerville, pleaded guilty Thursday to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute oxycodone before U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb.

According to court documents, between November 2012 and January 2013, Taylor sold 537 oxycodone-based prescription pills to either an undercover task force officer or the cooperating witness over five meetings, each of which occurred in Clementon, New Jersey. Taylor arranged the meetings with the undercover officer through a series of text messages. Taylor discussed the price of the pills and his hope of fostering a long-term drug distribution relationship. At the Nov. 28, 2012, meeting, Taylor told the undercover officer that the 30-milligram oxycodone pills he sold the officer were obtained through a prescription issued by a doctor, and "if (you're going to) be a good customer for me and buy these every 28 days for 15 bucks, I won't give these to nobody."

None of the transactions involved students or took place at the Stockton College campus, nor was Taylor ever in uniform when the drug sales were made. He resigned in April.

As part of his plea agreement, Taylor will forfeit $8,775, consisting of the illegal profits obtained from his sale of oxycodone.

The drug distribution charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 14.