Rape charges dismissed against Nassau officer

Rape charges were dismissed Friday against a Nassau County police officer.

Officer John Ingardia was accused of getting violent during a 2021 encounter with the woman who filed the complaint against him. The two had a consensual relationship for four months and have a child together.

Ingardia's attorney, William Petrillo, says the accusations came out in June when Ingardia attempted to get more access to his child. He says he was confident that his client would be exonerated.

"This is a police officer who is a well-respected, highly honored and very active Nassau County cop who has done much to keep this county a safer place," Petrillo says.

In a statement to News 12, the Nassau County District Attorney's Office said, "The matter was dismissed on procedural grounds last Friday after an inspection of the grand jury minutes."

The Nassau County District Attorney's Office did not provide any other details about the dismissal, but the ruling allows the case to be re-presented. It says it is considering its options.