NEW ALBANY, Ind. — A southern Indiana police officer was arrested Wednesday after officials say he stalked his ex-girlfriend and attempted to interfere with the investigation, according to Indiana State Police.
New Albany Police Department (NAPD) Sergeant Chad E. Armenta is charged with two counts of felony official misconduct, felony stalking, criminal trespassing, interference in reporting a crime, and harassment.
According to police documents, on April 18, the victim, Armenta's ex-girlfriend, told officers he showed up at her home uninvited and refused to leave despite her repeatedly asking him to do so. Armenta was off-duty and there in an "unofficial capacity" at the time of this incident, ISP officials said.
Investigators say they believe Armenta used his official position to interfere with an investigation after the victim called NAPD, reporting his actions.
On April 25, the victim told officer's Armenta had arrived at her residence and knocked on her bedroom windows. She texted Armenta multiple times to leave and when he refused, she called NAPD and told the dispatcher Armenta was knocking at her windows and refusing to leave her property despite her telling him to.
The NAPD Captain arrived at the victim's residence and took screenshots of their phone conversation, confirming her statement. The Captain also opened a harassment investigation.
During the investigation, detectives discovered Armenta called NAPD shortly after the victim called. According to documents, Armenta told the dispatcher he was the person knocking on the victim's windows and to have them "signal 9," which is police code for disregard. The dispatcher agreed to "signal 9" the report.
A New Albany Police dispatcher performed a phone ping for Armenta on Jan. 21. This was after Armenta requested a phone ping on the victim's phone. The dispatcher told investigators that Armenta "told her that it was for a male subject with suicidal intentions."
The location returned in Orange County, to which Armenta reportedly told the dispatcher, "It's out of our jurisdiction, forget it." He told the dispatcher not to complete any paperwork, however, she submitted it to her supervisor.
Armenta had his initial court appearance Thursday in Floyd County Circuit Court 1. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and is now out on a $20,000 cash bond. One condition is no contact with the victim.
"The New Albany Police Merit Commission has authority over all terminations. We will continue to review the matter but no additional information can be released as it is a personnel matter," Police Chief Todd Bailey said over email.
Bailey said Wednesday that Armenta is on paid administrative leave pending the internal investigation and the criminal case.
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