2 Yonkers Officers Accused Of Fabricating Information For Search Warrant
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Two highly-decorated police officers in Yonkers became criminal defendants Wednesday, after being indicted by a grand jury for an alleged shortcut to justice.
As CBS 2's Lou Young reported, Yonkers officers in plain clothes showed up in court Wednesday to support their indicted brother officers. The officers were accused of making false statements in order to secure a search warrant.
Detective Christian Koch and Officer Neil Vera pleaded not guilty in the Westchester County courtroom to charges that they phonied up the warrant in a drug investigation.
Supporters said the officers were heroes and not criminals at all.
"They're had thousands of arrests -- I mean literally, thousands of arrests; hundreds of awards," said Yonkers Police Benevolent Association President Keith Olson. "I mean, they're the best we have to offer, and they deserve the benefit of a doubt."
When asked whether the officers might have gotten used to cutting corners, Olson replied, "I would say no."
The officers are accused of fabricating an informant's tip that led to a drug raid on School Street in Yonkers back in March. During that raid, a suspect, Dario Tena, inexplicably went out a third floor window to his death.
The officers were not charged in connection with the death, but the investigation into it uncovered some real questions about the way they did their job.
"Quite frankly we were surprised that the grand jury decided to indict," said Koch's attorney, Andrew Quinn. "We were optimistic after hearing all the evidence, there would not even be an indictment."
So far, charges against 15 criminal suspects in Yonkers have been dropped because of alleged falsified paperwork.
The Yonkers District Attorney's office said more cases could be under review soon.
Koch is a 13-year veteran of the department, Vera a 7-year veteran.
Conviction on second perjury – the top count in the indictment – carries a penalty of four years in prison.
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