On November 29, 2012, the Department of Justice announced that Abimael Arroyo-Cruz from Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and Josue Becerril-Ramos from Carolina, Puerto Rico, were charged with accepting bribe payments of $50,0000 and attempting to extort the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  

Both of the men were charged for one count of federal programs bribery, one count of conspiring to commit extortion, and one count of attempting extortion.  The indictment was returned in the District of Puerto Rico.  

The indictment stated that Arroyo and Becerril arrested eight people on August 2, 2012 for possessing marijuana and unregistered firearms.  One of the defendants offered to pay the police officers $50,000 to dismiss the case, and the officers spoke with the defendant over the telephone multiple times starting on September 11, 2012.  

After agreeing to the bribes, Arroyo and Becerril developed a plan to misidentify a co-defendant in the court in order to have the case dismissed.  Arroyo was eventually asked under oath to identify the defendant, and his deliberately misidentified the co-defendant during the hearing.  Arroyo later admitted that he attempted to deceive the commonwealth in order to have the case dismissed.  

Arroyo and Becerril planned to collect the bribes in two different installments.  The first installment worth $35,000 was dropped off to the officers, but the individuals that dropped off the money were working with federal agents.  

Both of the police officers remain innocent until proven guilty.  

The case was investigated by San Juan Field Office of the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood with the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorneys Menaka Kalaskar and Marquest J. Meeks with the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.  

Source: Department of Justice

On November 20, 2012, the Department of Justice announced that it reached a settlement with the town of East Haven, Connecticut, to resolve complaints about the East Haven Police Department (EHPD).  The complaints stated that the EHPD discriminated based upon race, color, and/or national origin, used excessive force, conducted unconstitutional searches and seizures.  

The EHPD and town jointly filed the agreement a federal district court.  The agreement will ensure that the EHPD engages in constitutional activity, and the agreement also hopes to increase the community’s trust toward the EHPD and other police officers in the area.  

Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, stated: “We are pleased that town officials have joined the mayor and the board of police commissioners in supporting the broad reforms embodied in the agreement.  The agreement reflects a strong commitment to effective and constitutional law enforcement in East Haven for all who live, work and visit the town.”

The agreement has seven main factors:

•    biased-free policing practices and training to ensure biased-free policing is a factor during hiring, promotions, and performance assessments
•    the development of policies for reasonable force in specific circumstances
•    documentation for all search and seizures, as well as updated instructions for applying for search warrants and respecting a person’s First Amendment rights
•    new policies that make sure officers and supervisors conduct activity in a lawful as well as ethical manner
•    assurance that all officer complaints and investigation into officer misconduct are handled accordingly
•    supervision and management policies for investigating misconduct
•    engagement from the community and oversight from the East Haven community

David B. Fein, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, stated: “This agreement will provide the men and women of EHPD with the necessary support and guidance they need to fulfill their duties in a manner that protects public safety and upholds individuals’ civil rights.”

Source: Department of Justice