Probation — until Friday.
Plus a restitution check for $370.
And with that, the case against Shelton police Officer Loren Casertano came to an end Wednesday at Superior Court in Milford.
“The finding is the offender is not likely to offend again. The court is satisfied it is fair, just and equitable,” Judge Richard Arnold said in granting Casertano accelerated rehabilitation, a special form of probation.
If Casertano doesn’t get into trouble with police by Friday, the charges against him will be cleared.
Casertano had been charged in 2008 with fifth-degree larceny and conspiracy to fabricate evidence.
He was accused of trying to extort money from his daughter’s friend as payment for a stolen iPod from his daughter. Police said Casertano deliberately asked for more money than the iPod was worth. They were paid about double what the device was worth, police said.
Casertano denied the charges and said he was targeted by superior officers within the Shelton Police Department. He had planned to go to trial, his lawyer, Rob Serafinowicz, said.
“The bottom line, this case has been pending for three years,” Serafinowicz said. “A trial — when one takes into account attorney’s fees … is going to be a very, very expensive undertaking.”
A trial would have resulted in the dismissal of charges, Serafinowicz said, which is the same outcome Casertano will get with accelerated rehabilitation.
Casertano’s wife is also facing charges in connection to the case, is due in court Friday. She is also eligible for accelerated rehabilitation.
