NY State Trooper Threatened To Post LI Woman's Naked Pics: DA

A New York State Trooper was indicted on Tuesday on coercion charges after prosecutors say she threatened to release nude pictures of a woman.

Jennifer Daignault, 31, of Rome, New York, was indicted on first-degree coercion and two counts of second-degree coercion. She was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court on Sept. 23. If convicted of the top charge, she could face up to seven years in prison.

“The defendant allegedly ‘catfished’ an unsuspecting Nassau County woman and threatened to post her naked photos online unless the victim acquired a fake New York State identification card for the defendant,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “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.”

According to Singas, Daignault had a text-only relationship with a 33-year-old Nassau woman from May 1 to July 31, 2018. Singas said that Daignault had multiple fake profiles on the dating website PlentyOfFish in which she pretended to be a man.

Daignault received numerous naked photographs from the woman, who believed she was speaking with a man, Singas said. Daignault then used the pictures to coerce the woman to go to Queens and Manhattan to purchase a fake New York State identification card for Daignault, according to Singas. The woman was told that if she didn't, the photos would be posted online, Singas said.

Daignault was arrested on Sept. 13, 2018 after a month-long investigation. She was stationed in Sylvan Beach in Oneida County. State police said that all of the communication happened when Daignault was off duty. She was suspended without pay when she was arrested last year.