UPDATE: The Greeley City Council is poised to vote tonight on a crucial $295,000 settlement for resident Teneah Perez, who wrongfully spent five days in jail due to a false accusation by Greeley police. The vote comes in response to a complaint filed against officer Donovan Serafino regarding a May 29, 2023 traffic incident that led to severe emotional and financial repercussions for Perez and her family.
The incident unfolded when Perez was a passenger in a crash at 12th Avenue and 8th Street in Greeley. While her husband fled the scene with their children, Perez and her six-year-old son remained behind, insisting to police that her husband was driving. Despite their claims, Serafino falsely reported on his police radio that “the kid just told me that she was driving,” leading to multiple severe charges against Perez, including three counts of DUI and five counts of child abuse, according to court documents.
After reviewing body camera footage, it became clear that the child never implicated Perez as the driver. Furthermore, a crucial email surfaced—sent to Serafino the day after the crash—asserting that Perez was not driving. Shockingly, Serafino failed to document this evidence for over 15 months, which ultimately led to the dismissal of all charges against her.
In light of these developments, the Greeley Police Department conducted an internal investigation, revealing that Serafino had violated numerous department policies, including evidence preservation and truthful reporting. As a result, he was terminated from the Greeley Police Department, confirmed by public information officer Kristen Duus.
The city has since engaged outside legal counsel, which advised settling with Perez to resolve her claims against both the city and Serafino. If approved, the settlement will be drawn from the city’s claims reserve fund, allowing Perez to reclaim some of her lost wages and address the damages suffered during her wrongful confinement.
This situation highlights the urgent need for accountability within law enforcement and the profound impact such incidents have on individuals and their families. Community members are urged to follow tonight’s council meeting closely as the outcome could set a significant precedent for future wrongful arrest cases.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the Greeley City Council makes its decision.
