Sparta Woman Who Sued Cops Over Urine Sample Sentenced for Drug Possession

A woman who once sued the Sparta Police Department for having to give a urine sample to a male officer was recently sentenced for another incident involving drug possession, the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Nina Stewart, 46, of Sparta, was sentenced last month to three years probation, loss of her driver's license for two years and was ordered to submit to a TASC Evaluation and follow any and all recommendations, the prosecutor's office said. She also must pay fines and penalties.

The charges stem from an April 2013 car accident on East Mountain Road in Sparta. Police said Stewart was under the influence and in possession of drugs at the time of the crash. Stewart was found with numerous prescription pills and 10 bags of heroin, police said.

Stewart filed a lawsuit in 2012, alleging a male Sparta police officer demanded a urine sample even though a breath test revealed she had no alcohol in her system following a 2010 arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to The Star-Ledger.

Stewart claimed she suffered further "humiliation" months later during an internal affairs investigation when another male officer forced her to demonstrate what happened the night she was arrested, the Ledger reported. Stewart claimed in both instances female officers were on duty but not present, the Ledger reported.