Medina County Grand Jury indicts off-duty officers who allegedly detained man at Hinckley bar

MEDINA — The Medina County Prosecutor's Office announced that a Medina County grand jury indicted the two off-duty police officers who allegedly detained a man at a Hinckley bar who they mistakenly thought was in the United States illegally. The indictment occurred on Tuesday. The grand jury authorized state charges of unlawful restraint, ethnic intimidation and assault against both Donald Kopchak, 41, of Brunswick, and Daniel Lajack, 48, of Brunswick. According to the prosecutor's office, LaJack was formerly employed at the Lake County Narcotics Agency and is now employed at the Portage County Sheriff's Office. Kopchak is employed by the Cleveland Police Department. At the time of the incident, both were also deputized to serve on federal law enforcement task forces. The incident occurred on April 26, 2024, at the Buzzard's Roost Tavern. LaJack and Kopchak were off duty and allegedly confronted another patron and identified themselves as federal law enforcement officers. The officers also allegedly physically restrained and assaulted the victim while removing him from the bar. An on-scene investigation conducted by Brunswick and Hinckley police determined the victim was a valid U.S. citizen who lived in Texas and was working as a truck driver. After an initial review of the facts of the incident in June 2024, the prosecutor's office contacted federal authorities to have the case reviewed for the violation of federal civil rights laws. In July, the U.S. Attorney's Office reviewing the case said it was declining to prosecute. After confirmation of the U.S. Attorney's Office decision, the prosecutor's office reviewed the matter and sought grand jury approval. The Victim/Witness Advocacy Division of the Medina County Prosecutor's Office is communicating with the victim and his family and is keeping them informed of all developments in the case. Both Kopchak and Lajack have an arraignment hearing scheduled in Judge Joyce Kimbler's courtroom on Sept. 16.