A San Jose police officer from Gilroy accused of illegal sexual contact with two teen boys he connected with through Craigslist pleaded not guilty Friday morning, and prosecutors say computers, cell phones and other evidence seized from his home might reveal additional victims. Full story
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SAN JOSE – A San Jose police officer from Gilroy accused of illegal sexual contact with two teen boys he connected with through Craigslist pleaded not guilty Friday morning, and prosecutors say computers, cell phones and other evidence seized from his home might reveal additional victims.
Patrick D’Arrigo, a 17-year patrol officer for the San Jose Police Department and former campus officer at San Jose’s Leland High School, jockeyed past a barrage of local media around 10:15 a.m. as he entered the Hall of Justice in San Jose. D’Arrigo, wearing a charcoal suit and tie and accompanied by his attorney, Brian Madden, never said a word to anyone other than a stoic “Not guilty, your honor” plea and confirmation of his date of birth to Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Philip Pennypacker.
After his hearing, D’Arrigo exited the courthouse, slipped on a pair of sunglasses and walked briskly with his attorney down Hedding Street as a barrage of television news crews and photographers enveloped him for about a block.
Phone calls to Madden seeking comment were not returned as of 3 p.m.
D’Arrigo is on paid administrative leave, according to the SJPD. He faces up to three years, eight months in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.
The trial setting is scheduled for Sept. 15 at the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill in front of Judge Kenneth Shapero.
D’Arrigo charged with three counts of unlawful sexual contact, including oral copulation, with a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy – both Gilroy residents – allegedly between December 2008 and March 2009, according to a grand jury indictment obtained Friday by the Dispatch.
Four males who were between the ages of 15 and 17 at the time of the alleged incidents testified Tuesday during a secret grand jury hearing, including one who testified he met D’Arrigo through a personal ad on Craigslist and later introduced his friends to the police officer, said Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Stuart Scott, who is prosecuting the case.
The four males testified they visited D’Arrigo’s Gilroy home at 883 Alder Street off Thomas Road several times beginning in December 2008, and two of them engaged in sexual acts with D’Arrigo, Scott said.
They also testified D’Arrigo served them alcohol, Scott said.
The allegations were first reported to the SJPD in March 2009, but the investigation stalled due to “limited cooperation from the boys due to the embarrassment,” Scott said.
The Gilroy Police Department executed a search warrant Wednesday finding six to eight cell phones, 12 flash drives and multiple computers that will be sent to a county crime lab to determine if there is evidence of additional crimes with other victims, Scott said.
“A preliminary investigation looks like it supports the charges at hand and may also lead to other victims,” he said.
When asked if any weapons were seized from D’Arrigo’s home, Scott said, “I can’t comment on that.”
“They weren’t there for weapons,” he added.
D’Arrigo was arrested on a $100,000 warrant Wednesday at the San Jose Police Department – the same day his home in Gilroy was searched by the Gilroy Police Department. He posted bail Thursday morning and was released from jail.
“I want everyone to keep in mind the presumption of innocence during this case,” Scott said. “This is an ongoing investigation.”
The male who posted the Craigslist ad testified that he initially told D’Arrigo he was 18 years old, but later revealed to the officer he was a minor, Scott said.
D’Arrigo also purchased gifts for the boys, buying one of them a $300 iPod as a Christmas present in December 2008, Scott said.
Scott said prosecutors sought a grand jury indictment instead of filing charges based solely on police evidence because “it would have taken a lot more time and it would have been more stressful for the witnesses” going through the standard channels.
“It’s much easier to secure sworn testimony in a grand jury,” he said. “The kids are instructed to always tell the truth. I believe they came in and told the truth about what had happened.”
In 2008, a criminal grand jury declined to indict D’Arrigo and SJPD Sgt. Will Manion following accusations they attempted to cover up a DUI incident that involved Sandra Woodall, an investigator with the District Attorney’s office.
D’Arrigo and Manion were fired in January 2010 for their roles in the investigation, but were reinstated following lengthy arbitration last December, SJPD spokesman Jose Garcia said.
