A former Kissimmee police officer whose case led to a major overhaul of the Kissimmee Police Department was sentenced on Monday.
As part of a settlement with prosecutors, Andrew Baseggio pled guilty to criminal violence, witness tampering, and official misconduct earlier this year.
Baseggio will spend nine months in Osceola County Jail, with two days already spent. His sentence also includes 18 months of supervised probation, a 12-hour anger management program, 50 hours of community service, restitution to the victim, and court fees.
In April 2023, prosecutors claimed Baseggio entered a home without a warrant and used force “not consistent with (the) Kissimmee Police Department’s use of force policy” to take a man into custody, causing significant bodily harm.
Baseggio was then accused of faking his report and inciting another officer to commit perjury in order to conceal what had occurred.
The case prompted a broader inquiry into the Kissimmee Police Department, which resulted in the resignations of Chief Betty Holland and Deputy Chief Camille Alicea.
A grand jury also disclosed 11 officers’ conduct, raising questions about honesty and a “culture of silence within the department.”
Baseggio apologized to the court before being sentenced.
“But it was more than Sean that I hurt,” Baseggio explained. “My actions reflect poorly on all police officers, particularly KPD officers. I pledged to defend the law and safeguard the community, and my actions that night and afterward had an influence on public trust and safety.
Meanwhile, a defense attorney representing Baseggio came out against the culture at KPD:
Baseggio’s defense attorney stated, “There was a cancerous culture there.”” That culture has been eradicated in large part due to his assistance, which will continue if necessary. Despite the society, he has prospered.
The defense requested the judge to consider Baseggio holistically, claiming they were present for “one dot on the timeline.”
The defense also requested that the judge consider not only Baseggio’s record with the Kissimmee Police Department, but also his catastrophic brain injury sustained in an accident in July 2024.
The defense claimed that as a result of the collision, Baseggio had many difficulties.
However, prosecutors maintained that this was not a single act in one occasion.
“We are not here with this defendant before the court to focus on just that one moment,” according to prosecutors. “We are also here asking for justice, asking for accountability, for what this defendant did in the weeks and months that followed that one act.”
Following the sentencing, KPD provided News 6 the following statement:
“This case involved a former police officer whose conduct did not align with the standards and values of the Kissimmee Police Department and the honorable profession of law enforcement. Followingan independent investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the department took decisive disciplinary action and implemented significant and meaningful reforms. We remain committed to accountability and continuous improvement to demonstrate that our department serves the community with professionalism, transparency, and integrity.”
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