NYPD Officer Faces Up to 7 Years in Jail for Lying About Photographer’s Arrest
One year ago, in August of 2012, New York Times photographer Robert Stolarik was arrested for allegedly using his camera flash to interfere with police during an arrest. However, after taking a look at the evidence, it’s the police officer who is in hot water and may face up to 7 years in prison after being indicted on three felony counts and five misdemeanors.
According to The New York Times, the altercation took place on August 4th of last year, when Stolarik began taking pictures of a street fight at McClellan Street and Sheridan Avenue in the Bronx. When police officer Michael Ackermann asked him to stop, Stolarik quickly informed him that he was a New York Times journalist and continued photographing the proceedings.
Officer Ackermann’s story came apart when district attorney Robert T. Johnson examined the evidence and found that Stolarik did not use a flash. In fact, he didn’t even have one on his camera at the time. Additionally, no other officers or civilians reported seeing a flash going off.
Charges against Stolarik have been dismissed. Officer Ackermann, on the other hand, faces several counts related to filing false records and official misconduct, which could mean losing his job and up to 7 years in jail.
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