A disgraced ex-cop acquitted of raping a drunk Manhattan woman won’t face drug charges after heroin was found in his police precinct locker. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
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Kenneth Moreno dodged the 2009 drug possession rap, which he was hit with when prosecutors searched a shared locker at the 9th Precinct following his arrest for rape.

“There is no criminal justice purpose served to proceed on the two misdemeanors,” Manhattan prosecutor Coleen Balbert said.

Moreno and partner Franklin Mata were acquitted of rape in May, but are facing jail time after found guilty of official misconduct.

Moreno was sentenced last month to one year in jail. Mata received a two-month sentence.

“We’re eager to put this entire sordid chapter in his life behind him,” said Moreno’s defense lawyer Joseph Tacopina. “This is obviously another step in the right direction.”

Moreno and Mata were labeled the “Rape Cops” when they were accused of taking advantage of an intoxicated woman inside her East Village apartment while on duty.

Moreno was accused of forcing himself on the inebriated clothing executive, while Mata served as his lookout.

As part of the investigation, authorities found items in a precinct locker used by Moreno that included lighters, toothbrushes and two glassine envelopes of heroin.

The “miniscule” amount of heroin didn’t belong to Moreno, Tacopina said.

“There were various officers who shared that locker,” he said. “One of the other officers who shared the locker was charged with failing a drug test.”

Moreno and Mata remain free on bail while appealing their convictions.
DN