A grand jury has indicted a former Kissimmee Police officer for his role in a 2023 use of force investigation.
The State Attorney's Office for the Ninth Circuit announced Wednesday that Officer Andrew Baseggio has been charged with felony battery, two counts of tampering with a witness, official misconduct, misdemeanor solicitation for perjury and misdemeanor battery.
On Tuesday, Baseggio reportedly turned himself in to the Osceola County Jail, and was scheduled for an initial appearance in front of a judge Wednesday. Jail records currently do not show his incarceration, and records into his case have not yet been released into the Osceola County Clerk of Court' system by midday Wednesday.
Kissimmee Police announced Wednesday Baseggio, who has been with KPD since January 2007 and was last assigned as an officer to the Patrol Division, has been relieved of his duties.
Last week, an Osceola County grand jury indicted Baseggio following the investigation into the April 22, 2023 incident. According to court documents, Kissimmee police officers responded to a residence on Brack Street in reference to a disturbance. During the incident, Officer Baseggio entered the home without a warrant and used force that was not consistent with Kissimmee Police Department’s use of force policy to take a man into custody, resulting in serious bodily injury to the man.
According to the State Attorney's office, there is also evidence 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.
"We apply the law equally to everyone. Most law enforcement officers work tirelessly to protect and serve our community, but when one breaks the law, they will be held to the same standard as everyone else," said State Attorney Andrew Bain.
Current KPD Police Chief Betty Holland was named to that post on April 28, 2023, days after the incident. The News-Gazette has made a request for comment from KPD. Bain's office says the grand jury is not prepared to release a statement at this time, but may choose to do so in the future.
