NEW YORK STATE CORRECTIONS OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the guilty plea of David Olivari, a 38-year-old New York State Corrections Officer, for the crime of Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree.

“This defendant repeatedly endangered Suffolk County motorists by conducting traffic stops for which he had neither authority, nor training. The message here is that no one is above the law, including a corrections officer who acted so egregiously outside of his official duties in attempting to prey upon otherwise unsuspecting female motorists,” said Tierney. “I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department for conducting a thorough and professional investigation, and for assisting my Office in bringing this individual to justice.”

Olivari was arrested on February 8, 2022 in Commack following a sting operation conducted by the Suffolk County Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. On that date, Olivari arrived at a predetermined location believing he was meeting one of the women he had previously pulled over, and was arrested by investigating officers when he arrived at the meeting location.

According to the investigation, between January 22, 2022 and January 23, 2022, Olivari, of Coram, utilized a flashing light in his personal vehicle to pull over cars driven by unaccompanied women in central Suffolk County. In every instance, the defendant falsely identified himself as a police officer, had the women unlock their cellphones, and asked the women to hand their unlocked cellphones over to him.

In one case, Olivari subsequently contacted the victim through the cellphone number he obtained during the illegal traffic stop and he then attempted to initiate a personal relationship with her.  The woman reported this to police who then partnered with the District Attorney’s Office to set up a sting operation that ultimately resulted in Olivari appearing for a “date” with the woman. Olivari was then placed under arrest at the meeting location.  Following his arrest, Olivari was fired by the New York State Corrections Department and Community Supervison.

Following his plea, Olivari was released on his own recognizance. He is being represented by Michael Brown, Esq., and is due back in court for sentencing before the Honorable Richard Horowitz on September 5, 2023.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira and Bureau Chief Kevin Ward of the Public Corruption Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

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

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