Off-duty officer pleads guilty to attempted abduction, loses police certification

MEDINA — An off-duty officer who allegedly detained a man at a Hinckley bar pleaded guilty in Judge Joyce Kimbler's courtroom at the Medina County Court of Common Pleas on Monday. Daniel Lajack, 48, of Brunswick, originally faced two counts of abduction, one count of ethnic intimidation and one count of assault. His charges were amended to one count of attempted abduction, a fourth-degree felony, and the remaining counts were dismissed. Assistant Prosecutor Scott Salisbury made a motion to amend the counts under the conditions of a guilty plea, upon Lajack relinquishing his certificate that allows him to be a police officer and Lajack truthfully testifying against the co-defendant in this case, Donald Kopchak, 41, of Brunswick, if necessary. The incident occurred on April 26, 2024, at the Buzzard's Roost Tavern in Hinckley. Lajack and Kopchak were off duty when they allegedly confronted another patron at the bar, whom they falsely assumed was in the United States illegally. They allegedly identified themselves as federal law enforcement officers and 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 and a Texas resident who was working as a truck driver. At the time of the incident, Lajack was employed at the Lake County Narcotics Agency, and Kopchak worked for the Cleveland Police Department. Both were also deputized to serve on federal law enforcement task forces at the time. On Monday, Kimbler ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Lajack. His sentencing is scheduled for March 26 in Kimbler's courtroom. Kopchak still faces two counts of abduction, one count of ethnic intimidation and one count of assault. Abduction and ethnic assault are felony charges, and assault is a misdemeanor charge. Kopchak was scheduled to have a jury trial on Monday, but his attorney requested a motion to continue. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.