James O’Neil, a teacher at Stratford High School, was arrested following a weeks-long investigation by Stratford police, officials said.
Authorities allege O'Neil used Facebook Marketplace to sell vehicles illegally by altering documents, including bills of sale, police said.
Detective Jennifer Murolo began investigating in November 2024 after receiving an anonymous tip about O’Neil’s activities. By early December, Murolo secured two search warrants to examine O’Neil’s school computer and seize a 2023 Jeep Wrangler tied to the alleged scheme, police said.
After uncovering the scale of the operation, police obtained a warrant for O’Neil’s arrest, authorities said.
O’Neil was arrested on New Year’s Day by Customs and Border Protection agents in New York, where he was flagged as a fugitive from justice. He was held at Rikers Island before being extradited to Connecticut last week, police said.
O’Neil was released after posting a $75,000 bond, according to Stratford police.
It remains unclear whether O’Neil is still employed by Stratford Public Schools. His name has been removed from the Stratford High School website, but calls for comment and clarification were not immediately returned.
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