Nassau Probation Officer Coerced Probationer To Steal For Favorable Reports: DA

A Nassau County probation officer is accused of bribing one of his probationers to steal merchandise in exchange for a cut of the profit and "favorable" reviews and treatment, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Jean-Louis, 46, of Dix Hills, was arrested on Tuesday and faces a 37-count indictment, which includes charges of theft, coercion, bribery, misconduct and more.

A woman filed a complaint on May 11 claiming her probation officer, 46-year-old Andy Jean-Louis, urged her to commit thefts in exchange for positive probationary reports since March. The woman, who was facing one year in jail for violating probation, said Jean-Louis would threaten to have her locked up if she didn't comply with his demands, the DA said.

“[Jean-Louis] is charged with an egregious abuse of his authority as a probation officer that victimized the stores that sustained losses as well as the probationer who was coerced to steal on his behalf,” DA Singas said. “This indictment alleges a shocking scheme perpetrated by Andy Jean-Louis to enrich himself at others’ expense, and our prosecutors are committed to holding him accountable.”

An investigation by the NCDA’s Public Corruption Bureau revealed Jean-Louis coerced the woman several times to steal items and then return them in exchange for gift cards, the DA said.

The gift cards, which were valued between $54.30 and $249.82, were from TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Best Buy, the DA said. Jean-Louis allegedly told the woman he needed the gift cards to buy clothes for his children.

Jean-Louis would also provide the woman money for the gift cards; she gave him $804.77 worth of gift cards and got $100 cash in return, the DA says. In one instance, she received $120 in cash and a "favorable" probationary report in exchange for a Nintendo game system, the DA said.

Jean-Louis also gave the woman another person’s expired driver’s license so she could continue to make returns without raising suspicion from store security, the DA said.

Jean-Louis was indicted on the following charges:

• Four counts of second-degree attempted grand larceny
• Nine counts of third-degree bribe receiving
• Four counts of fifth-degree attempted criminal possession of a stolen property
• Eight counts of second-degree attempted coercion
• Ten counts of official misconduct
• Second-degree coercion
• Second-degree attempted criminal impersonation

Bail for Jean-Louis was set at $25,000 bond or cash. He faces a maximum of 2-1/3 to seven years in prison if convicted. He is due back in court on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

Image via NCDA