Charges dropped against ex-Rockville Centre police officer

<p>The Nassau District Attorney's Office dropped all charges against Stafford, citing a lack of evidence that the video in question was taken without the woman's knowledge.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 19, 2018, 4:50 PM

Updated 2,036 days ago

Share:

Charges dropped against ex-Rockville Centre police officer
A former Rockville Centre police officer was cleared of all charges Wednesday after being accused of secretly recording his ex-girlfriend during a sexual encounter and sending the video of the encounter to her on Snapchat.
Christopher Stafford, 28, had been sworn in as an officer with the Rockville Centre Police Department less than a year before felony charges of second-degree unlawful surveillance were brought against him this past February.
Stafford’s lawyer had argued that the relationship, as well as the video of the sexual incident, were consensual.
The Nassau District Attorney's Office dropped all charges against Stafford, citing a lack of evidence that the video in question was taken without the woman's knowledge.
Stafford was arrested during his probationary period with the police department.
The village says a decision was made to terminate the rookie officer.
Defense attorney William Petrillo says the woman pressed charges because Stafford was trying to break up with her.
“It is very clear what happened here. This was a relationship that Mr. Stafford was ending and this was a knee-jerk reaction. This false complaint made by the complainant was a knee-jerk reaction to a breakup,” said Petrillo.
Petrillo told News 12 that he and Stafford will fight to get him back on the force.
The identity of Stafford's ex-girlfriend was never released. Right now, it's not known if any legal action will be taken against her.


More from News 12
2:02
Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll surrenders unlicensed firearm to Warwick police

Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll surrenders unlicensed firearm to Warwick police

2:23
Clouds, light rain Wednesday in the Hudson Valley

Clouds, light rain Wednesday in the Hudson Valley

1:02
Rockland Community College library, student union closed 'until further notice' due to submerged transformer

Rockland Community College library, student union closed 'until further notice' due to submerged transformer

0:44
Ex-Mount Hope supervisor released from prison after guilty plea in child sex case and ‘judicial error’

Ex-Mount Hope supervisor released from prison after guilty plea in child sex case and ‘judicial error’

1:59
Yonkers PD to use drones as first responders in new pilot program

Yonkers PD to use drones as first responders in new pilot program

0:53
Republican lawmakers in Yonkers call for an end to New York's faith-based housing proposal

Republican lawmakers in Yonkers call for an end to New York's faith-based housing proposal

1:37
Elmsford PD: Man arrested on weapons charge during ‘extreme risk protection order’ raid

Elmsford PD: Man arrested on weapons charge during ‘extreme risk protection order’ raid

0:21
Caught on camera: Bobcat spotted in residential area of Yonkers

Caught on camera: Bobcat spotted in residential area of Yonkers

0:25
Cortlandt Manor tax preparer known as ‘The Magician’ accused of $100 million tax fraud

Cortlandt Manor tax preparer known as ‘The Magician’ accused of $100 million tax fraud

0:42
Porch collapse in Dutchess County leaves 1 injured

Porch collapse in Dutchess County leaves 1 injured

0:54
Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:23
Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

0:32
Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

0:25
Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

0:24
Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

1:00
Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

0:26
MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

2:54
Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice