Prison Time for Former Trooper Who Stole From Dying Crash Victim

The former Connecticut state trooper who stole jewelry and money from a dying crash victim on the Merritt Parkway in 2012 will spend a year behind bars.

Aaron Huntsman was sentenced in court on Friday to five years in prison, with the sentence suspended after one year, after he pleaded guilty over the summer. Huntsman will also serve three years' probation.

Dashcam video from Huntsman's own cruiser allegedly caught the former trooper stealing from the body of Orange resident John Scalesse, who was killed in a crash on the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield on Sept. 22, 2012.

Detectives began investigating after Scalesse's family members came forward looking for a gold chain valued at more than $5,000, along with $3,700 in cash and missing clothing.

According to court documents, Huntsman was first at the scene and snatched the broken chain from a pool of blood around Scalesse. Huntsman repeatedly told the victim’s father he never saw the missing items.

But the affidavit says another emergency responder handed Scalesse's cash to Huntsman, who claimed to be taking it in as evidence.

State police said they later found the missing money in Huntsman’s cruiser.

The former trooper has been convicted on charges of larceny and tampering with evidence.

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