Two Former Yonkers Narcotics Officers Charged with Perjury In Falsifying a Search Warrant Affidavit

WHITE PLAINS, NY – October 8, 2014 — Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that an indictment was unsealed against Neil Vera (DOB 04/13/80) of 104 South Broadway, Yonkers, New York charging him with:

• one count of Perjury in the Second Degree, a class “E” Felony,
• one count of Falsifying Business Records, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
• one count of Making a Punishable False Written Statement, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
• three counts of Official Misconduct, class “A” Misdemeanors,
• one count of Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree, a class “B” Misdemeanor.

An indictment was also unsealed today against Christian Koch (DOB 06/27/75) of 104 South Broadway, Yonkers, New York charging him with:

• one count of Perjury in the Second Degree, a class “E” Felony,
• one count of Official Misconduct, a class “A” Misdemeanor.

On March 21, 2014, the defendants, a former Yonkers Police Department Narcotics Unit police officer and detective, acting in concert with each other, swore falsely, and the false statement was made in an application for a search warrant for “141 School Street, apt#3, Yonkers, New York”. The false statement was made with intent to mislead a Yonkers City Court Judge in the performance of his official functions signing the warrant.

Additionally, on May 20^th, 2014, Police Officer Vera asked a person identified to the Grand Jury to lie to investigators and provide a false written statement to police officers of the Internal Affairs Division of the City of Yonkers Police Department.

He asked that individual to make a false statement to the Yonkers Police Internal Affairs investigators identifying himself/herself as an individual who had performed controlled narcotics buys at 141 School Street in support of the search warrant, when in fact this was completely false.

The defendants surrendered today to the Yonkers Police Department Internal Affairs Division.

In a statement after the defendants were arraigned, District Attorney Janet DiFiore said: “There is nothing more important than law enforcement acting with honesty and integrity. We place enormous trust in the work of police and when that trust is violated we will not hesitate to hold the individuals accountable.”

The defendants were released on their own recognizance.

Their next court date will be on October 21st, 2014.

They face a maximum of four years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Berit Huseby and Assistant District Attorney Brian Fitzgerald of the Public Integrity Bureau are prosecuting the case.

 

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of

Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is

merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed

innocent until and unless proven guilty

SOURCE: Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore’s Office.