Former Saugerties Police Officer Dion Johnson, 35, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty before Judge Bryan Rounds in Ulster County Court last week to charges of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Official Misconduct and two counts of Harassment in the Second Degree. The remaining charges against Johnson were dismissed as part of a plea deal. In exchange for pleading guilty, Johnson will be sentenced on Friday, April 11, by Judge Rounds to a conditional discharge.
Johnson was initially arraigned on September 30, 2024, including counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C Felony, Sex Abuse in the First Degree, a class D Felony, along with other offenses relating to unwanted sexual contact and workplace sexual harassment.
The alleged conduct, which includes stalking, unwanted sexual contact, and workplace sexual harassment, took place while Johnson was on duty or acting under his authority as a Saugerties police officer.
The case is being prosecuted by Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji and administrative ADA Sajaa Ahmed. Johnson is represented by Andrew Safranko and Jennifer McCanney of the Albany-based firm LaMarche & Safranko.
Saugerties Town Supervisor Fred Costello expressed gratitude to Nneji and his team for their efforts to bring justice to the people.
“I’m also happy at this point that we’re one step towards closure in this matter,” Costello said. “This is challenging for our community and our (police) department in many ways, so to get this closer to a resolution is good … Hopefully as we progress through this, and we get some resolution, it will definitely restore the community’s faith in our department and the people that are trying to work with us.”
Nneji could not be reached for comment, and the road from the counts detailed in Johnson’s arraignment to those he pleaded guilty to remains unclear. In a press release, Nneji said he felt prosecuting Johnson was necessary, even if it didn’t feel particularly good.
“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,” Nneji said. “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.”
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