PLAINFIELD, Ind. — A former Plainfield police officer pled guilty to official misconduct on Thursday.
As part of a plea agreement, Valentin Khazin agreed to give up his Indiana law enforcement credentials and promised not to apply for another policing position.
"I can assure you and your viewers that there are some very motivated police officers that will help me make sure that every training board and police agency in the country knows of his conviction and knows that he signed an affidavit,” said Morgan County Prosecutor Steven Sonnega. “That's, that's the best we can do.”
Sonnega was assigned as the special prosecutor last year. In Aug. 2023, 13 Investigates broke the news that the Hendricks County prosecutor was reviewing and dismissing about 100 cases following an Indiana State Police investigation into Khazin.
In court, Khazin admitted he solicited the help of a gas station worker to help him write letters to falsely accuse Plainfield Ofc. Nathan Nolin of hurting children. He pled guilty to a felony, which was reduced to a misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement. The agreement also required a public apology to Nolin.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry to Plainfield and I’m sorry to Nathan Nolin,” Khazin said.
Following the apology, Judge Sarah Dungan expressed concern the plea agreement was too lenient.
“I think Officer Nolin showed you some grace that I’m skeptical to give,” she said.
Ultimately, the judge agreed to the deal, which the prosecutor said Nolin supported.
As well as the apology, Khazin was required to serve a year of probation. He also agreed to give up his law enforcement credentials in Indiana and not apply for a police job in another state, territory or federal agency. He also agreed to pay a $1 fine and $189 in court costs.
Outside of the courthouse, Khazin refused to explain his actions. 13 Investigates also asked him about a similar case from his time working with the NYPD. 13News found court documents that show NYPD disciplined him for writing an anonymous letter falsely accusing his supervisor of causing a drunk driving crash.
“At this point, at the advice of my lawyer, no comment,” he said.
Khazin currently lives in Florida, but it was reported in court that he plans to move to Texas for work.