- A New Jersey judge told state troopers ‘I’m a f**king judge’ during a drink-driving arrest in 2016, it is claimed
- Wilfredo Benitez serves as a municipal court judge in Belleville, East Orange and Bloomfield, New Jersey
- He had pulled over to the side of the road and when troopers woke him up they noticed his eyes were bloodshot and there was a scent of alcohol
- Benitez then also allegedly threatened to fight the troopers
- The DWI charge was dropped but he is now under investigation for his conduct and his request to receive preferential treatment at the time of his arrest
New Jersey judge Wilfredo Benitez allegedly told state troopers ‘I’m a f**king judge’ during a drink-driving arrest in 2016
A New Jersey judge told state troopers ‘I’m a f**king Judge’ before threatening to fight the officers during a drink-driving arrest in 2016.
Part-time municipal Judge Wilfredo Benitez who serves the towns of Belleville, East Orange and Bloomfield, New Jersey asked the troopers ‘you’re not going to give me any courtesy?’ as they took him away in handcuffs, according to a complaint filed with a state judicial conduct board.
The incident happened during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Teaneck, New Jersey on November 12, 2016.
Two troopers spotted Benitez’s car parked on the right shoulder of the interstate where the judge was asleep in the front seat.
After police woke him up, they noticed his eyes were bloodshot and there was a scent of alcohol coming from the car.
Benitez was found not guilty of DWI charge in May, but he now face an ethics investigation
Benitez told the officers he hadn’t been drinking or taking any drugs before the stop.
Officers then decided to conduct a field sobriety test at which point Benitez allegedlyasked ‘What are you trying to do? I mean, I’m a judge.’
It made no difference. Troops cuffed him on DWI charges and told Benitez that he was under arrest.
‘I can’t believe you’re doing this. I’m not a f**king drug addict. I’m not a drunk! I can’t believe you’re doing this,’ Benitez replied, according to the complaint seen by NBC News.
As the officers locked the handcuffs, the judge then allegedly said: ‘I’m a f**king judge.’
The officer then said: ‘I’m going to read you the Miranda warning. I’m sure you know it.’
Benitez apparently yelled ‘You’re wasting your time and you know it. I’ll fight you. You know you’re being a d***. I will f**king fight you.’
Benitez was ultimately found not guilty of the DWI charge in May, but is still under investigation by the judicial conduct board for allegedly requesting preferential treatment during the stop.
A complaint for the ethics violation was filed on Wednesday. A hearing on the complaint has not yet been publicly announced.