Greenwich Detective Honored For Work On Internet Crimes Case

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich detective was recently recognized for his work on an internet crimes against children case.

Det. Michael Rooney, who is assigned to the Greenwich Police Department's Special Victims Section, was given the department's Award of Merit. Rooney received the commendation from Chief James Heavey last week.

Rooney worked on a case involving a 36-year-old Massachusetts man who police said came to Greenwich looking to have sex with a 13-year-old girl last October.

Police said investigators posed as a 13-year-old girl and communicated with John Cesarini, of Abington, Mass. Police said Cesarini sent explicit text messages and photographs, and "communicated his desire to travel to Greenwich in order perform sex acts."

A meeting was arranged for Oct. 3, 2021, and Cesarini arrived at the agreed upon location in Greenwich where he was met by police, according to a news release from the GPD in October. Police said they found a cell phone on Cesarini that was used to communicate with officers, as well as marijuana and a box of condoms.

Cesarini was arrested and charged with criminal attempt at sexual assault with a victim under the age of 16; second-degree criminal attempt at sexual assault; and criminal attempt at enticing a minor by computer.

"Det. Michael Rooney is a very dedicated detective in the Special Victims Section who always looks to protect the innocence of child victims, and also helps prevent more people from becoming victims of those crimes," Capt. Mark Zuccerella told Patch.

The GPD as a whole praised Rooney in a Facebook post last week.

"The amount of child pornography and children that are being victimized in our society is devastatingly high," the department said. "Det. Rooney's diligence to duty and service to the victims of these type crimes is an example of the Greenwich Police Department's Mission and Core Values."