Bridgeport Police Officer Arrested for Harassment, Stalking in Domestic Violence Case

A Bridgeport police officer is now facing more than 30 charges in connection with allegations of domestic violence by a former 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 arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court on five counts of second-degree harassment, four counts of second-degree unlawful restraint and 22 counts of second-degree harassment.

“He's been a Bridgeport police officer for seven years and has an impeccable reputation in that regard,” attorney Christian Young, who represents Soto, said at the arraignment.

Soto has been on paid administrative probation since May 8, when the victim contacted police about Soto. According to her arrest warrant, the woman said she had a brief relationship with Soto that 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 allegedly calls, emails and drives by her home or workplace almost every day. The victim told police she was initially hesitant to come forward, but decided to do so because Soto would not stop, according to the warrant.

The victim was “distressed and crying during the interrogation,” during which she described multiple ways Soto continued to follow and contact her against her will, according to the warrant. That included using his marked patrol car to pull her over for a traffic stop.

“The victim explained that she would stop her car and Soto would position his patrol car so that she could not drive away without endangering herself or others, including Soto,” the warrant states. “He would open the driver’s side door and attempt to kiss or hug her, despite her protests to stop and let her go. The victim explained that these stops would last several minutes and that she was extremely upset afterward.”

The woman used her cellphone to record her interactions with Soto since the relationship ended and turned over 56 recordings to police, according to the warrant. Thirty-two of those recordings, from Dec. 16 to May 8, are allegedly consistent with Soto chasing the victim and repeatedly asking the victim to be left alone. Police said they were able to confirm four unauthorized traffic stops.

According to the warrant, the victim also described how Soto would drive by her house unannounced and sit in his personal car or patrol car to wait for her or watch her house.

Police interviewed two witnesses who corroborated the allegations, the warrant says.

Police also reviewed 353 emails between Soto and the victim, in which “Soto constantly harassed the victim via email, causing her to feel terror and worry,” according to the warrant. It included several excerpts from the emails, including “You will not abandon us,” “I’m coming to get you!!!!!!!” and “YOU BELONG TO ME AND MINE ALONE.” In court, Judge Maureen Dennis issued a protective order, barring Soto from any contact with the victim and requiring him to wear a GPS monitor through family services to stay at least 2,500 feet away from her.

Given those conditions of release, Soto's attorney did not request any financial bail for his client, stressing that “there is no allegation of threats of violence.”

Young also claimed there was more to the 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 a complaint. I think context is important in the current situation,” Young told the judge. “I submit that this raises the specter of ulterior motives that could also, in some cases, involve beautification.”

Soto nodded as his lawyer spoke.

But the warrant does not mention such an arrest. It does mention a harassment complaint filed by the victim against Soto's wife. Dennis set Soto's bail at $75,000 and said the nature and frequency of the allegations were “very concerning.”

“It's not just 'he said, she said,' according to the warrant,” Dennis said, pointing to cellphone records and data recovered by police.

The judge also ordered additional GPS monitoring through 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 Capt. Kevin Gilleran said, “The Bridgeport Police Department strives to build trust and legitimacy within the communities we serve by doing everything possible to maintain an ongoing culture of transparency and accountability.”