Richie Roberts
Richard M. Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Richie |
| Police career | |
| Department | New Jersey Police Detective for Essex County |
| Rank | Detective |
| Other work | Criminal Defense Attorney |
Richard M. "Richie" Roberts (born June 23, 1929) is a former New Jersey police detective and defense attorney. He is most widely recognized for the arrest, prosecution and later defense of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas.
Career
Roberts is a Bronx native of Jewish background who was raised in Newark, New Jersey. He attended Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey, Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey and later graduated from Seton Hall Law School. Roberts also served in the United States Marine Corps. An Essex County detective since 1963, Roberts eventually became an Essex County Assistant Prosecutor, heading the Bureau of Narcotics after passing the New Jersey Bar Examination. After working as a prosecutor, Roberts became a criminal defense attorney, and still works as one as of 2006. The first person he defended was Lucas.[1]
In media
Roberts was portrayed by Russell Crowe in the 2007 film American Gangster.
See also
Notes
- ^ William Kleinknecht, From Foes to Friends and Now on to Fame, The Star-Ledger, October 5, 2006.