Pocono News Section

Former Jessup Police Officer Sentenced

Former Jessup Police Officer Sentenced - Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 6:09PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Dec 4, 2007 @06:09pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A former Jessup police officer learned his fate Tuesday morning for stealing from his department's evidence room.

Robert Santarelli could have faced up to 20 years in prison, but instead was given one and a-half years to four and a-half years under house arrest. He was originally arrested in February 2006.

"It was an extraordinarily fair sentence to all the parties concerned. Rob Santarelli lost his career as a police officer," his attorney Larry Moran said.

Santarelli not only lost his career, he lost his freedom.

"I think the fact he was a police officer, had been I should say, was the reason why there was a very significant sentence of restriction and confinement imposed upon him," Moran said.

In court, before sentencing, Santarelli admitted to being addicted to painkillers. He said it was due to a back injury he got years ago while at a hostage situation in Jessup. He dodged hundreds of bullets.

People in Jessup hope Santarelli's sentence will make him a changed man.

"Everyone can change. Hopefully this time, he'll take advantage of the sentence that he got and better himself with it," Yvonne Alu said.

"This is a man who by night served his community and protected it and by day fought this addiction, which he's on the road to beating it," Moran said.

During his time under house arrest Santarelli will have to report back to the court to make sure he is staying clean.