MINNEAPOLIS - An Eden Prairie police officer could face criminal charges after the Deputy Hennepin County Attorney announced Friday, he lied on a search warrant that led to a drug arrest that subsequently resulted in more than 30 cases being dismissed.
At a Friday press conference, Deputy Hennepin County Attorney David Brown said Detective Travis Serafin is currently being investigated by McCleod County for altering a search warrant in a recent drug case.
"We would not trust him as a witness for any further prosecution, I believe they are in the process of terminating him but that is a question for Eden Prairie," said Brown.
According to Brown, Serafin had a search warrant for a home, where a large amount of heroin and drugs were found, but altered the document to include an inspection of a vehicle at the property, as well. There were small amounts of drugs found in that vehicle. The judge on the case discovered the discrepancy and alerted the Eden Prairie Police Chief on March 29.
That lie will effectively toss out 32 other cases where Serafin was a critical witness and 11 other cases where he served as a peripheral witness, due to the fact his credibility is now called into question.
"Detective Serafin's behavior here was wrong and inexcusable. It's also baffling to us, because the legal search of the home in the case that led to it provided more than enough evidence for our case. If he had been honest we simply would have agreed that the drugs found in the car couldn’t be used,” said Brown.
Three people, who are already serving time in prison, will also have their cases dismissed, Brown said.
“No reason to believe anyone else helped him in any way," Brown said. "It’s devastating. I’ve been a prosecutor for over 30 years. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
In a release, the Eden Prairie Police Chief Greg Weber said the department has begun an administrative investigation, as well.
Weber states, "Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, no further information regarding this active investigation is available at this time. The Eden Prairie Police Department holds officers to extremely high ethical standards. The Department also affords officers time for due process if their actions are called into question. Although it is difficult for me not to provide further comment on an issue involving the Eden Prairie Police Department, it is important for our organization to follow appropriate protocol."
Serafin was named the Eden Prairie Police Department's Officer of the Year in 2011 and has been part of the department since 2000.
Sean Gormley, executive director, Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS), which represents officers with the Eden Prairie Police Department, released the following statement regarding officer Travis Serafin: “We are concerned anytime questions are raised about a member of our law enforcement community. However, we caution against making a rush to judgement. It is important that we recognize Officer Serafin’s right to due process, a right afforded to all citizens who are accused of wrongdoing. LELS will look into this matter to ensure that any actions taken are based on a full and complete understanding of the facts involved.”
More information about this case can be found on the Hennepin County Attorney's Office website.