Thursday, May 01, 2014

Officer Brendan Cronin Arrested for Shooting

An NYPD officer who works in the Bronx has found himself on the other side of the law for his alleged role in a Westchester County shooting.

According to authorities, Officer Brendan Cronin fired his gun at least 13 times at a car sitting at a stoplight in Pelham Bay Tuesday night.

They say a 47-year-old man was wounded, but is in stable condition at the hospital.

Cronin, a five-year NYPD veteran, is being charged with first-degree assault. He has been suspended without pay.

It remains unclear what led to the shooting.

Former Officer Paul Manganelli Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Porn

A former Waltham Police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to possession child pornography, according to federal authorities.

Paul Manganelli, 47, of Waltham, pleaded guilty to the charge before U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz’ office.

Manganelli faces up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, authorities said.

According to the release, from December 2011 to March 2013, Manganelli traded child pornography via email. He resigned from his position at the Waltham Police Department after his arrest in March 2013.

At the time of his arrest, federal agents found Manganelli in possession of more than 850 images and 40 videos containing child pornography. He traded the material with at least 53 email accounts, according to the release. During these email exchanges, Manganelli discussed his sexual interest in children and asked others how to groom a child to engage in sexual activity with him, authorities said.

Manganelli initially claimed that he was attempting to identify online sexual predators. However, he was never assigned nor authorized by the Waltham Police Department to conduct such purported investigations, nor did he ever report any criminal conduct he observed, authorities said.

Officer Timothy Merrill Arrested for Assault, Vandalism

An Arizona police officer was arrested on multiple charges in downtown Nashville on Wednesday night.

Timothy Reed Merrill, age 32, was charged with assault, vandalism and public intoxication.

A police affidavit said Merrill, who was in town for training, had caused issues at Dixieland Delights on Broadway and then allegedly punched the front window of the store. The employee told officers that Merrill had been asked to leave the store because he was harassing a cashier and became disorderly.

He was detained outside a bar along Broadway after security there came to help. The affidavit said Merrill tried to run from a security officer and fell down. While the security officer tried to handcuff him, Merrill allegedly kicked the man in the head.

Once police took him into custody, they smelled alcohol and noticed he had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

Merrill’s bond was set at $8,000.