Massapequa Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Weapons Possession, Impersonating Police Officer

A Massapequa resident will spend the next 15 years behind bars after being convicted on multiple weapons charges and impersonating a police officer, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

Andrew Denton was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 10, following his conviction on charges that should concern every law-abiding taxpayer on Long Island. The case raises questions about public safety and the resources our local law enforcement must dedicate to identifying and prosecuting individuals who illegally arm themselves while masquerading as peace officers.

The investigation began in October 2023 when officers conducting a traffic stop pulled over Denton’s Chevrolet Impala. What they discovered during that stop represents a serious threat to public safety: a loaded, operable illegal handgun along with police paraphernalia.

The presence of both illegal weapons and police equipment in a single vehicle creates a particularly dangerous combination. When criminals impersonate law enforcement officers, they undermine public trust in legitimate police work while potentially gaining access to victims who believe they’re dealing with actual authorities.

District Attorney Donnelly’s office successfully prosecuted the case, resulting in the 15-year sentence. While the DA’s announcement confirms the conviction and sentencing, specific details about the trial, the exact charges Denton faced, or whether he had prior criminal history were not immediately available.

This case highlights the ongoing costs taxpayers bear for the criminal justice system. From the initial traffic stop through investigation, prosecution, trial, and now incarceration, cases like Denton’s require significant public resources. The Nassau County Police Department, District Attorney’s office, court system, and eventually the state corrections system all play roles that come with substantial price tags funded by property taxes and other government revenues.

The 15-year sentence also means New York taxpayers will be covering the cost of Denton’s incarceration for more than a decade. With the average annual cost of housing an inmate in New York State prisons exceeding $69,000, this single case will cost taxpayers over $1 million before Denton completes his sentence.

Beyond the financial implications, this case demonstrates why Nassau County residents continue to demand strong law enforcement presence in their communities. The traffic stop that led to Denton’s arrest exemplifies the kind of proactive policing that many taxpayers expect from their local police departments.

DA Donnelly’s office deserves credit for securing a conviction that removes a dangerous individual from Long Island streets. However, residents might reasonably ask what warning signs, if any, were missed before Denton’s arrest, and whether additional resources could help identify such threats earlier.

As Nassau County continues grappling with property tax burdens that rank among the nation’s highest, cases like this remind us that public safety remains a core government function worth funding adequately. The question for local officials and taxpayers alike is whether current resource allocation effectively balances fiscal responsibility with community protection.

Information for this article was provided by the Nassau County District Attorney’s office and reported by Long Island Press.