BRENTWOOD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A FORGED INSTRUMENT RELATED TO FRAUDULENT NYPD IDENTIFICATION CARDS

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the arrest of Eric Diaz, 43, of Brentwood, who impersonated a police officer to receive a discount while shopping at a store in Bay Shore, pleaded guilty to possessing multiple fraudulent NYPD identification cards.

“This defendant wrongfully impersonated a police officer,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office supports the men and women in law enforcement, and we are committed to holding accountable those who would attempt to wrongfully benefit from the public service of our sworn law enforcement members.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, between April 1, 2023 to May 31, 2023, Diaz identified himself as a police officer and displayed what appeared to be a police badge, handcuffs, and handgun while attempting to obtain a “police discount” at a retail store in Bay Shore. When Diaz was later stopped by police, he was found to be in possession of a holstered electronic stun gun and multiple fraudulent law enforcement identification cards, including a fake NYPD Sergeant identification card. Pursuant to subsequent searches of Diaz’s vehicle and home, police recovered numerous fraudulent items of police attire, imitation pistols, a gun belt, a bulletproof vest, and handcuffs.

On August 15, 2023, Diaz was arrested by Detective Charles Gambino of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney’s Squad. Following his arraignment on the arrest, Diaz was ordered to be held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.

On October 11, 2023, Diaz pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro, to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a Class D felony. Diaz is due back in court on November 13, 2023, and is expected to be sentenced to two to four years in prison. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katharine D’Aquila of the Public Corruption Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Charles Gambino of the District Attorney’s Squad.

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Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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