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MPD Chief Brian O’Hara fires officer for having sex on duty
A recently published memo says officer Juan Alonzo Jr. for violating multiple departmental policies for the interactions, which involved a woman he met on Grindr.
MINNEAPOLIS — Recently published internal documents reveal that Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara fired one of his officers in February of this year for violating multiple department policies while engaging in sexual activity while on duty and in uniform.
The decision to discharge Officer Juan Alonzo Jr. was announced on Feb. 22 after an internal affairs investigation revealed he engaged in sexual activity on multiple occasions while on duty in the fall of 2022, using a city squad car to transport himself out of his assigned precinct without being assigned a call in that area and for personal reasons.
Investigators learned that Alonzo also exchanged graphic pictures and messages with the female, who he met on the dating app Grindr, and referred to his status as a Minneapolis police officer while seeking sexual interactions. They also determined
Among their specific findings:
- On 9/2/2022, Officer Alonzo communicated via the Grindr website with a community member and discussed a meeting to engage in sexual activity while in uniform and on duty.
- The community member met with Internal Affairs investigators and confirmed that she had engaged in sexual activity with Officer Alonzo multiple times within her home and that he was in full uniform. She provided text messages substantiating meetings on 9/3/2022 and 9/26/2022.
- On 9/3/2022 and 9/26/2022, AVL data shows squad car 563, manned by Officer Alonzo, parked in the area of the community member’s residence. This area is not in the 5th Precinct. The squad car is not shown to be assigned to any calls of service within the area.
- Officer Alonzo admitted in his investigative interview that, on 9/3/2022 and 9/26/2022, he met with a community member in her home and had oral sex performed on him while on duty and assigned to a district squad car.
- Officer Alonzo acknowledged that these described actions could be concerning to the community and stated, “It would be concerning because I could see where people would believe that I’m intentionally leaving an emergency call; you know, it also devalues like the trust of police and community,” during his Garrity statement.
“As Chief of Police, I am responsible for providing clear expectations about behavior and conduct in all situations, not just when it is convenient,” O’Hara wrote while explaining his decision to fire Officer Alonzo. “These expectations extend from myself to the command staff and all levels of the Minneapolis Police Department. My predecessors have also borne responsibility for setting expectations, and it is incumbent on every Chief to hold officers accountable for breaches of those expectations.”
O’Hara said one of the allegations against Alonzo – violating the department’s vehicle responsibility policy – would alone have resulted in suspension and not dismissal, but the other three sustained allegations warranted his firing.
Sergeant Tony Bryand spent 10 months in the Middle East, and never got to see his stepdaughter perform – until Saturday
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Few things match the mystery of the theater, or the warmth that comes from the holidays. At the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, that warmth was easy to spot Saturday night.
Hundreds gathered to watch the musical White Christmas, but for one person, the show wasn’t the most important part of their evening.
It was who would be there.
“Me and her have had a really good bond since I’ve came into her life,” Sergeant Tony Bryand said.
Sgt. Bryand has been away on deployment in Kuwait for the last 10 months, returning home just in time for the holidays. On stage, his stepdaughter, nine-year-old Jenalia, plays Susan Waverly.
“Me being gone is a big change, really hard on her,” Sgt. Bryand said, choking up. “Hard on me.”
During the preshow announcement, emcee Nancy Nelson walked out, set to announce the start of the show.
Instead, she was interrupted by Jenalia.
“On behalf of the theater, Nancy, we would all like to thank you for all you do!” Jenalia said, surprising Nancy.
“You should have them, and I know someone who wants to give them to you, darling,” Nelson said in response. “Turn around!”
In front of the crowd, Jenalia turned and saw Sgt. Bryand, running into his arms, reuniting the two after months apart.
“He has not seen her on this stage, in this show, but he will tonight!” Nelson said while the two embraced.
Sgt. Bryand sat and watched his stepdaughter perform during the show, the nerves he had conquered, and now reunited for the holidays.
“Gonna give her a memory, gonna give us a memory that we’ll never forget,” he said.
The road conditions were snowy and icy when the crash occurred.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — One man was killed after his truck collided with another vehicle in Inver Grove Heights on Saturday afternoon, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The man was driving up the entrance ramp from Concord Boulevard to northbound Highway 52 when his truck lost control, said the state patrol.
His truck crossed over the northbound lanes of Highway 52 before colliding with another vehicle, said the state patrol.
The road conditions were snowy and icy when the crash occurred.
The state patrol identified the man who died as 74-year-old Willard Pohl of Inver Grove Heights.
The driver of the other vehicle and his five passengers, which included four children, were not injured in the crash.
The Red Bulls were deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they played a role in strengthening defense relationships with partner nations.
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division, known as the “Red Bulls,” has returned home after a 10-month deployment to the Middle East.
On Saturday, the second wave of over 550 Citizen-Soldiers reunited with their families at the division’s headquarters in Arden Hills.
This homecoming follows the first wave of soldiers who returned earlier this week, marking the end of a successful mission that began in February 2024.
The Red Bulls were deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they played a role in strengthening defense relationships with partner nations.
During their deployment, the Red Bulls conducted numerous military-to-military exercises with partner nation forces in the region. They also modernized the division headquarters with top of the line communications equipment. Lieutenant Colonel Jay Hackett, the Infantry Battalion Commander, expressed pride in the unit’s focus and dedication throughout the mission.
“They really took care of the mission, and more importantly, they took care of each other,” Hackett said.
The scene at the Arden Hills headquarters was filled with emotion as families eagerly awaited their loved ones’ return. One soldier, medic Kacie Lou, was greeted with warm embraces from her parents and grandparents. When asked about her first desire upon returning home, she humorously replied, “I want to go eat some tacos.”
Another returning soldier described the surreal feeling of being back, stating, “It’s unexplainable. I feel like I’m in a dream, and I don’t think it’ll really set in until tomorrow morning when I wake up in my own bed.”
The Red Bulls’ return marks another chapter in the division’s rich history of service. With roots dating back to 1856, the Minnesota National Guard has consistently answered the nation’s call, with more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen serving across 58 communities in the state.
