Daniel Lajack, off-duty officer involved in incident at Hinckley tavern, sentenced to jail time and probation

MEDINA — Judge Joyce Kimbler sentenced Daniel Lajack to 90 days in the Medina County Jail and two years of probation on Thursday for his involvement in an incident where a man was accused of being an illegal immigrant and detained at the Buzzard's Roost Tavern in Hinckley. Assistant Prosecutor Scott Salisbury said the victim, Yonas Bokredingil, told the prosecutor's office through his attorney that he is not seeking incarceration for Lajack, and that he is satisfied with Lajack's apology. "(Bokredingil) said while he was here to our victim's advocate that he's 'Not here to ruin anybody's life,'" Salisbury said. "That I find to be very forgiving and very graceful. It shows you what kind of man he is." Lajack feels grateful Bokredingil accepted his apology and said that is what matters most to him. "I know (Bokredingil's) affected by it," he said. "I pray every single day that he heals from that and doesn't view me or any other law enforcement officer going forward, that we're bad people. I made a mistake, and I'm truly, truly regretful for that mistake." Lajack is required to do the following as part of his sentencing: Be on alcohol monitoring and substance abuse monitoring for 90 days after being released from jail. Retain full-time employment. Have no contact with his co-defendant or the victim. Not possess or consume alcohol, marijuana, kratom or illegal substances. Obtain a drug and alcohol assessment and follow any recommended treatment program. Do 100 hours of community service. Pay all court costs and fees associated with his case. In February, Lajack pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempted abduction, which is a felony. On Thursday, his bond was revoked, and he was taken into the custody of the Medina County Sheriff's Office. "Alcohol lowers your inhibition, so your true self really comes out, and that is who you were that night," Kimbler said. "It wasn't the alcohol talking; it was you, and I think that you're coming to grips with that. I think you're beginning to understand what it is that you did wrong, and I do believe that you feel deep remorse." On April 26, 2024, Lajack, 41, of Brunswick, and Donald Kopchak, 48, of Brunswick, were off-duty officers when they questioned Bokredingil's citizenship status and detained him when they were at the Buzzard's Roost Tavern in Hinckley. At the time of the incident, they served on law enforcement agencies outside of Medina County and were deputized to serve on federal law enforcement task forces. "I look back at that, and I'm horrified," Lajack said. "I'm terrified of the things that I said. To this day, I still can't understand why I did that, but there's no excuse. I made a horrible mistake." In March, a jury found Kopchak guilty of two counts of abduction, ethnic intimidation and assault. The first three counts are felony charges, while the fourth count is a misdemeanor. Kopchak's sentencing is scheduled for June 11. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.