Bridgeport officer arrested for stalking and harassment in domestic violence case

A Bridgeport police officer now faces more than 30 charges related to allegations of domestic violence by an ex-girlfriend. Officer Dani Soto, 47, turned himself in to his own department Wednesday morning after police obtained a warrant for Soto’s arrest. He was charged in Bridgeport Superior Court with five counts of second-degree stalking, four counts of second-degree false imprisonment and 22 counts of second-degree harassment.

“He has been a Bridgeport police officer for the past seven years and has been in good standing. He has a spotless record in that regard,” said attorney Christian Young, who is representing Soto, during the arraignment.

Soto has been on administrative status with pay since May 8, when the victim contacted police about Soto. According to his arrest warrant, the woman said she had a brief relationship with Soto, which she ended in December 2023 after learning he was still married. The woman told police that since then, Soto has not left her alone despite her repeated requests. He reportedly called her almost every day, sent her emails and drove by her home or workplace. The victim told police she was initially hesitant to reveal herself but then decided to do so because Soto would not stop, the warrant states.

The victim was “distraught and crying during the interrogation,” during which she described several ways in which Soto continued to follow her and make contact with her against her will, according to the warrant, including pulling her over in his marked patrol car for a traffic stop.

“The victim stated that she would stop her car and that Soto would position his patrol car in a way that prevented her from driving away without endangering herself or others, including Soto,” the warrant states. “He would open her driver’s side door and attempt to kiss or hug her despite her protests to stop and let her go. The victim stated that these stops lasted several minutes and that she was extremely distraught afterward.”

The woman had been recording her interactions with Soto on her cellphone since the relationship ended and gave police 56 recordings, the warrant states. Thirty-two of those recordings, from Dec. 16 to May 8, allegedly match Soto’s pursuit of the victim and repeated requests to be left alone. Police said they could confirm four unauthorized traffic stops.

According to the arrest warrant, the victim also described Soto driving by her home unannounced and waiting for her in his personal car or patrol car or watching her home.

Police interviewed two witnesses who confirmed the allegations, the arrest warrant says.

Police also reviewed 353 email messages between Soto and the victim in which “Soto continually harassed the victim via email and instilled fear and terror in the victim,” the warrant states. It included several excerpts from emails, including “Won’t give up on us,” “I’m coming for you!!!!!!!!!” and “YOU ARE MINE AND ONLY MINE.” In court, Judge Maureen Dennis issued a restraining order prohibiting Soto from having any contact with the victim, requiring him to wear a family services GPS monitor and stay at least 2,500 feet away from her.

Given these release conditions, Soto’s attorney did not request financial bail for his client, noting that “there are no allegations of any threats of violence.”

Young also claimed that there was more to this case.

“Recently, the plaintiff assaulted his wife and was arrested for assaulting his wife. Shortly thereafter, the plaintiff told the defendant that she was going to ‘get him, get him, and ruin his life.’ Shortly thereafter, she filed the lawsuit. I think context is important in the current situation,” Young told the judge. “I submit that it raises the presumption of ulterior motives, which in some cases may include exaggeration.”

Soto nodded his head as his lawyer spoke.

But the warrant made no mention of such an arrest. It did mention a previous complaint of harassment filed by the victim against Soto’s wife. Dennis set Soto’s bail at $75,000, saying the nature and frequency of the allegations were “seriously concerning.”

“It doesn’t just say ‘he said, she said’ in the arrest warrant,” Dennis explained, referring to the recordings and cell phone data that the police had seized.

The judge also ordered additional GPS monitoring by the bail commissioner’s office and house arrest, with exceptions to be determined by that office.

Soto is due back in court on July 19.

The police department is also conducting an internal investigation following Soto’s arrest. A statement from Captain Kevin Gilleran said, “The Bridgeport Police Department is committed to building trust and legitimacy in the communities it serves by making every effort to maintain an enduring culture of transparency and accountability.”