New York state trooper Jennifer Daignault, 31, is accused of posing as a man on a dating site and threatening to post nude photos ...
New York state trooper Jennifer Daignault, 31, is accused of posing as a man on a dating site and threatening to post nude photos of a woman she met online (seen here in her mug shot)
A female New York state trooper has been suspended after she allegedly posed as a man on a dating site to catfish a woman and threatened to post nude photos of the victim if she didn't buy her a fake driver's license.
Under the guise of a man, Jennifer Daignault, 31, engaged in a texting relationship with a 33-year-old woman from Nassau County who she met on the dating site PlentyOfFish.
The unnamed woman sent nude photos of herself to Daignault during their relationship that began between May 1 and July 21, 2018.
Daignault then used the naked photos against the victim to coerce her into going to Queens and Manhattan and buy a fake driver's license bearing the name of a 33-year-old man with an address in Manlius, New York, authorities say.
Daignault pleaded not guilty on Monday to three charges of coercion and has been suspended from her job with pay, a State Police spokesman said Tuesday.
Daignault pleaded not guilty on Monday to three charges of coercion and has been suspended from her job with pay
Daignault was arrested on September 13, 2018 and released on her own recognizance.
Prosecutors said Daignault threatened to put the woman's naked photos online if she didn't obey her demand.
The suspended trooper could face up to two-to-seven years in prison if convicted.
Authorities also revealed that Daignault had several online identities pretending to be a man.
It's assumed for this profile on PlentyOfFish, also called POF, Daignault used a fake profile photo of a man in order to 'catfish' her victim.
'This case highlights the need to be cautious when using online dating platforms and to limit the amount of personal information you share before meeting in person or speaking on the phone,' the District Attorney said in a statement.
Authorities allege she engaged in a strictly texting relationship with a 33-year-old woman who she met on dating site PlentyOfFish
Authorities did not provide a motive for the alleged 'catfishing'.
Daignault's attorney Gerard McCloskey told Newsday that he had not yet seen the text messages involved in the case.
'I do think that these charges are overblown, and I anticipate that we'll fight it out in court,' he said.
Online court records show Daignault also faces separate charges in Oneida County of coercion, stalking and aggravated harassment.
She pleaded not guilty in that case in December and is expected to appear in court on September 23.
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