United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

TWO NEW HAVEN POLICE DETECTIVES ADMIT PLANTING EVIDENCE, STEALING MONEY FROM CRIME SCENE

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that one current and one former New Haven Police detective pleaded guilty today to federal civil rights charges stemming from an ongoing corruption probe into members of the New Haven Police Department.  In separate proceedings before Senior United States District Judge Alan H. Nevas in Bridgeport, JUSTEN KASPERZYK, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of civil rights conspiracy, a felony, and one count of theft of government property, a misdemeanor, and JOSE R. SILVA, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of an individual’s civil rights, a misdemeanor.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, KASPERZYK and SILVA were both detectives within the Narcotics Enforcement Unit of the New Haven Police Department.  On November 9, 2006, SILVA and another detective applied for and obtained a warrant to search a location identified as 65-67 Truman Street in New Haven.  On that date, KASPERZYK, SILVA and others executed the search warrant.  Upon entering the first floor apartment of the location, KASPERZYK observed a black male coming out of the back bedroom.  The individual was secured during the execution of the warrant.  As part of the search, KASPERZYK, SILVA and others searched the basement of 65-67 Truman Street, which revealed a sandwich bag containing a white powder-like substance (suspected cocaine) with an approximate weight of 7.4 grams; 19 white rock-like substances (suspected crack cocaine); and one clear plastic bag containing 40 small red baggies, each with a green plant-like substance (suspected marijuana).  KASPERZYK, with SILVA’s knowledge, knowingly and willfully moved the suspected narcotics from the basement to the back bedroom of the first floor apartment, resulting in the unlawful arrest of the individual found within the apartment.

After the search, SILVA, with KASPERZYK’s knowledge, filed a case incident report and falsely stated that KASPERZYK found the suspected cocaine, crack, and marijuana on top of the dresser in the bedroom from which the individual emerged.  The report also falsely stated that all the seized items were found next to the individual’s identification card.

Also, on March 1, 2007, KASPERZYK participated in a search on Filmore Street in New Haven.  During the execution of the search, KASPERZYK seized a substantial amount of money.  Rather than enter all the money into evidence, KASPERZYK stole $1,000 and falsely reported the amount of money seized.  KASPERZYK subsequently put $500 into the coat pocket of SILVA and informed SILVA that “there was a surprise for him,” or words to that effect.  SILVA found the money in his coat, kept it, and never reported KASPERZYK’s actions.

Finally, on March 5, 2007, KASPERZYK, based on what he believed to be an anonymous tip but was, in fact, part of an FBI sting operation, entered a hotel room without a warrant and seized $5,000 and drug paraphernalia.  KASPERZYK did not enter all the money into evidence, as required by law, but knowingly and willfully stole $360 in Government funds, which he used later that night for gambling.

“Corrupt activity by police officers is intolerable, as it can erode the trust and confidence that all citizens have in law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated.  “While the serious misconduct surrounding these guilty pleas is beyond troubling and offensive to everyone in law enforcement, it is important to acknowledge that the vast majority of police officers, including those who continue to work every day to make New Haven a safer place to live, do not engage in such wrongdoings.”

KASPERZYK and SILVA began working as New Haven Police officers in 1995.  KASPERZYK retired in April 2007 after his arrest by federal authorities on charges stemming from this investigation.  SILVA is still employed by the New Haven Police.

“Today’s guilty  pleas are an important milestone in a significant 14-month investigation,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz.  “Our investigation substantiated that Detectives Kasperzyk and Silva conducted an illegal search and arrest, and, through their guilty pleas today, both acknowledge their willful criminal conduct.”

Judge Nevas has scheduled sentencing for January 4, 2008, at which time KASPERZYK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 11 years and a fine of up to $350,000, and SILVA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nora R. Dannehy.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov