A Kissimmee police officer whose excessive force case brought swift changes to the leadership of the city’s police department has pled guilty to four charges.
Andrew Baseggio, who had been with Kissimmee Police since 2007, took a plea deal Friday on felony battery, official misconduct and two charges of tampering with a witness. While the maximum penalty under state guidelines for these charges could have been 40 years, the deal includes a sentence between 60 days and 24 months, along with probation. His sentencing will come in the next 60 days.
Part of the agreement includes surrendering his law enforcement certificate.
An Osceola grand jury indicted Baseggio, 41, in August 2024 following the investigation into an April 22, 2023 altercation in which he entered a Brack Street home without a warrant and used force “not consistent with Kissimmee Police Department’s use of force policy,” resulting in serious bodily injury to the man. Evidence was uncovered that Baseggio spoke with witnesses about their testimony during the use of force investigation and wrote a falsified report to avoid an internal affairs investigation.
A State Attorney’s Office investigation into KPD uncovered what it called "concerns about the truthfulness and conduct of specific Kissimmee Police Department personnel,” specifically noting the testimony of 11 KPD officers and command staffers, including Baseggio and Police Chief Betty Holland regarding that case. The investigation, and a subsequent grand jury inquiry, noted a pattern and a “culture of silence” regarding excessive force cases. Specifically, the State Attorney note Holland notified Baseggio of the investigation, and he was also shown the final report prior to review by prosecutors, allowing him to tamper with witnesses. Holland resigned on Oct. 27, 2024, days after State Attorney Andrew Bain released his findings.
Toho Riverboat captain pleas, gets 10 years: Richard Lawrence, known to some as “Captain Stitch,” who owns Toho Riverboat Adventures and captained the Pearl of the Lake paddleboat, took a plea bargain Friday and has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The News-Gazette was the first outlet to report (see link) Lawrence, 38, and his fiancé, Frances Fernandez, 30, were arrested Nov. 30, 2024 and charged with eight counts of sexual battery on a victim between 12-17 years of age and two counts of sexual assault on a minor.
Facing 30 years, Lawrence pled no contest to the two assault charges; the state dropped the other eight charges. Lawrence must also register with the state as a sexual offender.
Fernandez, who took a plea deal in February, was sentenced to five years of probation on a charge of failing to report child abuse.
The case stems from their arrest by St. Cloud Police on Nov. 30, 2024 after receiving information that Lawrence had gained custody of the 17-year-old victim and was having sexual relations with her. According to reports, Fernandez told police she knew Lawrence had had sex with the victim and detailed an encounter all three of them had together. However, Lawrence denied ever having intercourse with the victim.
Police interviewed the victim, who said she had sex with Lawrence “about 20 times since October, when she got hired,” per an arrest affidavit, including episodes that included Fernandez. The victim also advised Lawrence had given her alcohol on three occasions.
Lawrence will receive credit for the nearly five months he spent in jail following his arrest.
The riverboat has remained docked at the St. Cloud Lakefront since the incident. The city suspended its operations contract with Toho River Adventures in January, and gave investors a chance to buy or arrange a sale of the operation, which according to one of the investors is still going through negotiations.
