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Federal Agents Arrest New Haven Officers, Bail Bondsmen

Police Station Locked Down; Officer's Home Searched

POSTED: 3:45 pm EDT March 13, 2007
UPDATED: 10:23 am EDT March 14, 2007

Two New Haven police officers and three bail bondsmen were arrested Tuesday after a search of the New Haven Police Department by FBI agents.

Lt. William White, head of the city's narcotics squad, and Detective Justen Kasperzyk were charged and appeared along with the bondsmen in Hartford Federal Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Diana Rocco reported that White was charged with criminal conspiracy and stealing federal funds of more than $1,000.

Rocco reported that White is accused of taking federal money during police raids. Officials said that they have evidence that White stole $27,000 that should have been confiscated during drug raids.

Prosecutors said White was caught on video transferring $27,000 in a brown paper bag to his car. In federal court, prosecutors showed a photograph of a man they said was White, dressed in sunglasses and a gray hooded sweatshirt, walking with the bag.

Officials said that bail bondsmen were paying White $10,000 to $15,000 to find fugitives and arrest them. He is accused of taking at least $60,000 from one of the bondsmen.

Rocco reported that Kasperzyk was charged with stealing funds from the FBI valuing less than $1,000.

Arrested along with the officers were three bail bondsmen: Robert Jacobs, Paul Jacobs and Phil Jacobs. The accused bondsmen are a father and two sons, Rocco reported. They were charged with conspiracy to violate U.S. code by combining and agreeing corruptly to give an officer money.

Federal agents told Eyewitness News that the alleged illegal actions of the officers were brought to their attention by an undercover officer. Agents then launched an eight-month investigation, that they said included using wire taps and undercover agents.

"Whenever we receive an allegation of corruption, our job is to investigate it as quickly as possible," said federal agent Kimberly Mertz.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Leon Collins reported from the New Haven Police Station on Tuesday afternoon that the third-floor of the station was locked down and officers were instructed not to leave. The third floor houses the offices of detectives, the narcotics division and the police chief.

Collins reported that detectives were removing items from White's Alston Street home. Collins witnessed at least two computers and records being removed from the home as well as detectives photographing the home's garage.

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr., in a written statement, said he was concerned to learn about the arrest of the officers.

"We are attempting to learn more about the charges and will be fully cooperating with the investigation," DeStefano said. "There will be more arrests. We're not sure how widespread this is."

The mayor said he will hold a news conference at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, when he returns to the city from Washington.

Mayor John DeStefano, who just returned Tuesday night from a trip to Washington, D.C., called the arrests of the two detectives a betrayal of trust.

"It is a disservice to justice and fairness and to our cities," DeStefano said. "What it is not is a reflection of the hard work of the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of men and women of this department who work hard each and every day to protect the people of this city."

The charges against White carry a punishment of more than 10 years in prison. Rocco reported that White was remanded to custody until a hearing scheduled for Wednesday and that he was placed on suicide watch.

Collins reported that White, a 39-year veteran of the police force, was scheduled to retire this summer.

Kasperzyk was released on $100,000 bond and all three of the bondsmen were released on bonds of $750,000 each.

The Jacobses had no comment when questioned by Eyewitness News.

Click here to e-mail newstips to Eyewitness News, or dial toll-free: 866-289-0333.
Be sure to stay with WFSB.com and Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest news updates.

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