FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Rocky Hill, CT) - A Hartford man has been arrested and charged with illegally fabricating a positive COVID-19 test notification in order to avoid appearing before a Superior Court judge at a scheduled bond review hearing.
Junior Jumpp, 31, of 123 Irving Street, Hartford, was arrested on December 28, 2021 and charged with one count each of Forgery in the Second Degree and Fabricating Physical Evidence. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Jumpp was out on bond following his arrest in connection with a number of criminal cases pending in the New Britain Judicial District. Court-ordered conditions of his release on bond required that he not be arrested in connection with any other crimes for which probable cause is found.
On November 16, 2021, members of the Hartford Police Department arrested Jumpp on a warrant charging him with Threatening in the Second Degree and Breach of Peace in the Second Degree. On November 26, 2021, members of the South Windsor Police Department arrested Jumpp on a warrant charging him with Interfering with an Officer and Breach of Peace in the Second Degree. Jumpp was subsequently ordered to appear in New Britain Superior Court on November 30, 2021, before the Honorable Maureen Keegan due to his non-compliance with conditions of release.
On November 29, 2021, Jumpp’s defense counsel informed Judge Keegan and the State’s Attorney that he had received a screenshot from Jumpp purporting to be a positive COVID-19 test notification. Judge Keegan excused Jumpp from appearing on the following day. Investigation revealed that, in fact, the notification was forged and fabricated by Jumpp to preclude him from having to appear before Judge Keegan on the bond review.
Jumpp is being held on a $25,000 bond in this case. He currently has 11 pending cases at Superior Court, G.A. No. 15, New Britain, and one pending case at Superior Court, G.A. No. 14, Hartford. The Hartford case is being transferred to New Britain. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 3, 2022, in Superior Court, G.A. No. 15, New Britain. The charges against Jumpp are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.
Forgery in the Second Degree and Fabrication of Physical Evidence are both Class D felonies punishable by not less than one year nor more than 5 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.