Stratford Teacher Accused Of Running ‘Extensive’ Online Scam: Police

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford High School teacher is accused of running an “extensive” internet scam and illegally selling vehicles on Facebook, according to police.

The Stratford Police Detective Bureau received an anonymous tip on Nov. 9 that accused James O’Neil of running an extensive scam via the internet, according to Capt. Jerry Pinto.

Pinto said the anonymous tip stated that O’Neil was a Stratford High School teacher and that he was using his Stratford High School computer equipment to facilitate this scam.

The anonymous tip said O’Neil was “altering the Bill of Sales’ and other documents in order to illegally sell vehicles on Facebook,” according to Pinto.

Pinto said an extensive investigation was initiated by Detective Jennifer Murolo.

By Dec. 3, Pinto said Murolo was able to “secure and execute two search warrants that provided her with access to James O’Neil’s use of his Stratford High School Computers and a 2023 Jeep Wrangler.”

On Dec. 6, the evidence seized by the execution of the search warrants led to a felony arrest warrant for O’Neil, according to Pinto.

Pinto said O’Neil was taken into custody on Jan. 1 by Customs and Border Agents after they confirmed he was wanted by the Stratford Police Department.

O’Neil was subsequently charged with being a fugitive from justice by New York authorities and transferred to Rykers Island Detention Center to await extradition back to Connecticut, according to Pinto.

O’Neil was taken to the Stratford Police Department on Jan. 8 and charged with second-degree forgery, third-degree identity theft, and illegal operation of a repair business without a license.

O’Neil was released after posting a $75,000 with a court date of Jan. 16.