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EAST HAVEN, CT —In November 2020, the FBI experienced begun a legal investigation involving an East Haven police officer “relating to community corruption fees,” according to court docket files obtained by Patch.
The investigation ended in May well 2021 with no the cop staying charged.
Meanwhile, the New Haven DEA Field Office environment had an investigation into drug trafficking in East Haven that integrated a federal warrant-issued wiretap. In the course of that probe, a cellphone discussion was intercepted that experienced a gentleman associated with the DEA’s “focus on” check with if the male had any person inside the East Haven Police Section to deliver data about “law enforcement action” in close proximity to the target’s residence. The person reported he did: his “godson,” according to courtroom paperwork.
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It was the similar uncharged police officer staying investigated by the FBI, court paperwork state.
In December 2020, The Washington Submit included a photograph of East Haven law enforcement officers as the attribute impression on a countrywide security story about the Justice Department’s efforts to investigate unconstitutional police techniques. The East Haven Police Department was employed as an case in point of a accomplishment tale.
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The law enforcement officer recognized in the photograph is Jonathan Andino, hired in 2014.
Andino is the police officer discovered by the DEA as the “godson” the man or woman inside the EHPD, in accordance to court docket files.
The “godson” Andino
What federal and point out prosecutors allege Andino did in 2017, was to supply info to the human being linked with the DEA’s drug trafficking “concentrate on,” in accordance to court docket paperwork.
Andino is alleged to have employed the Connecticut Legislation Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing Method, recognised as Gather, to appear up and present information at the behest of the individual involved with the DEA “focus on,” court paperwork state.
It can be alleged in the warrant for his arrest, that Andino illegally accessed Gather to look for out facts on two men and women. He is also alleged to have appeared up license plate figures to ascertain who owned cars and even a boat hull registration number on behalf of the person tied to the DEA “focus on.”
East Haven Law enforcement Main Edward Lennon instructed Patch that as soon as Andino’s alleged “misconduct was introduced to my attention in 2021, I took swift motion and notified the New Haven States Attorney’s Office environment.”
Lennon explained the States Attorney’s Place of work investigated “these disturbing allegations and finally submitted an arrest warrant for Mr. Andino’s arrest.”
At 7:30 a.m. Friday morning, Andino, who life in Wallingford, turned himself into the New Haven Law enforcement Division on a warrant for his arrest issued by the States Lawyer.
Andino was billed with two counts of felony third-diploma computer system crimes for the alleged illegal use of the Obtain system although he was on obligation as an East Haven police officer.
He was booked, posted $25,000 bail and was released.
Alternatively than currently being fired, Andino quit, but not for the reason that of the States Attorney’s circumstance
Andino give up the law enforcement drive past June, 4 times in advance of a termination hearing. But the cause experienced very little to do with the FBI or DEA probes.
Andino, 30, and a fellow officer had been involved in a March 2019 collision with their patrol autos. Equally ended up dealt with at the hospital and cleared by physicians to return to get the job done. The other officer returned to get the job done.
Andino never did.
An Inner Affairs investigative report on Andino was attained by Patch as a result of the Freedom of Details Act. The report reveals that about the system of approximately two years, when utilized as an East Haven law enforcement officer, albeit on a compensated injuries leave, Andino preserved in sworn testimony taken in two depositions, that he was not able to return to perform as a end result of the incident.
He stated he experienced from nearly everyday several hours-very long head aches, severe light-weight, and seem sensitivity, professional consistent and regular soreness because the 2019 incident, and walked with a limp, between other clinical signs and symptoms that prevented him from doing the job.
In October 2020, Andino was explained to he was the matter of an inner affairs investigation for his “carry out” whilst on injuries go away, the report states. Andino was put under surveillance by a private investigator for just about a 12 months to determine if, in simple fact, he was suffering from the conditions he described.
It was identified his statements were being “bogus,” according to the report.
For every the Interior Affairs report, a detective conducting surveillance documented Andino participating in exercise that was in contradiction to his harm claims.
While tailing him, he saw Andino functioning out in a gym performing bench-presses. Driving a modified Dodge Charger with a “quite loud” exhaust even with “seem sensitivity.” Strolling and usually going with no a obvious limp. He was often witnessed not carrying hats or sun shades to defend him from gentle sensitivity, and other contradictions to his statements, the report displays.
The report also states that Andino delivered fake or deceptive information to his professional medical suppliers, just one of whom considered his complaints of soreness and indications were not proportionate to his claimed injuries, per the report
By Could 2021, with the inner affairs probe concluded, Andino was suggested he’d have a pre-termination listening to in June 2021. He was becoming fired for numerous bogus statements even though providing sworn testimony throughout March 9, 2020 and Dec. 3, 2020 depositions.
He resigned prior to that hearing.
‘A higher stage of expectation for our officers:’ Main
Adhering to his arrest Friday for computer crimes allegedly committed whilst he was a sworn police officer, Law enforcement Chief Lennon explained to Patch that Andino’s actions are not reflective of the police section.
“I have a substantial stage of expectation for our officers. Our law enforcement officers appear to operate every day with the intention of honorably protecting our local community and citizens,” Lennon explained. “The actions exhibited by Mr. Andino does not mirror the values of the East Haven Police Division or the honorable men or ladies.”
Lennon claimed that the police office is committed to transparency and holding officers responsible for their conduct.
“The East Haven Police Office has generally held our officers to a larger standard and will normally hold the officers who serve this local community accountable for their steps,” he reported.
