Kingston, NY—Dion Johnson, age 35, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty before Judge Bryan E. Rounds of Ulster County Court to the crimes of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and Official Misconduct, as well as two violations of Harassment in the Second Degree, on February 3, 2025. Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2025.
Johnson was arraigned on September 30, 2024, on an eleven-count indictment in Ulster County Court in connection to various crimes and offenses committed in 2020 and 2021 during his four years as a police officer under a different administration of the Town of Saugerties Police Department. The eleven-count indictment included charges of Burglary in the Second Degree, Sex Abuse in the First Degree, and other offenses relating specifically to unwanted sexual contact and workplace sexual harassment against fellow officers.
All of the conduct alleged in the indictment, including stalking, unwanted sexual contact and workplace sexual harassment, occurred while Johnson was on duty or acting under the color of his authority as a Saugerties Police Officer. Johnson would be expected to charge and arrest any other person who engaged in similar conduct, and to take protective action for the victim(s).
Internal investigation was conducted by the Saugerties Police Chief at that time and it was resolved internally, but it was subsequently referred to the New York State Attorney General’s Office (“AG”), rather than to the New York State Police or to this Office. Upon completing its investigation the AG’s Office referred the matter to this Office in the summer of 2023, resulting in the further investigation and indictment. Previous and present officers cooperated under grand jury subpoena and gave testimony under oath.
District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said, “As any prosecutor would tell you, it is never a warm feeling to indict and prosecute anyone sworn to serve and protect; but the reputation, credibility, and concept of law enforcement inevitably require that those who abuse their office or anyone under the color of their public authority should be held to account and be removed from service. I imagine that the men and women who serve in the Saugerties Police Department and in law enforcement in this Ulster County community feel a sense of sadness for Dion Johnson, but also firmly believe that one who serves the law cannot be above the law. To serve must remain the higher calling which it is and represents to officers and any ordinary person.”
The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji and Administrative ADA Sajaa S. Ahmed. Defendant is represented by Andrew Safranko and Jennifer McCanney of Albany law firm LaMarche & Safranko.
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