Former East Haven Police Officer Spaulding Sentenced to Five Years

Former East Haven Police Officer Dennis Spaulding was sentenced Thursday to five years in federal prison for his role in racial profiling within the department, according to New Haven Register reporter Evan Lips.

The sentence comes two days after fellow ex-EHPD Officer David Cari was sentenced to 30 months in prison in the same federal case. 

Spaulding was scheduled to receive his sentence Tuesday as well, but the hearing was postponed due to the winter storm.

Guilty Verdict

Last October, a jury found Cari and Spaulding guilty of federal charges that they violated the civil rights of Latino residents and others.

The two men were convicted on all charges: conspiracy against civil rights, deprivation of rights for making arrests without probable cause and "obstruction of justice for writing a false police report in the arrest of the Rev. James Manship.

Additionally, Spaulding was charged with using unreasonable force. 

Four Officers Indicted

Cari and Spaulding were among the four East Haven Police officers indicted as part of the U.S. Justice Department's investigation into alleged civil rights violations within the EHPD. Also arrested were Joseph Zullo and John Miller.

Zullo, who changed his plea to guilty, was sentenced to two years in prison in December.

Miller, who also changed his plea to guilty, is expected to be sentenced in February.