Judge sets pretrial hearing for ex-Newton Falls volunteer officer

STAFF REPORT

RAVENNA — The first pretrial hearing in the criminal case against Thomas Colosimo of Newton Falls will be April 13 in Ravenna Municipal Court now that the case has been transferred from Newton Falls Municipal Court.

Judge Barbara Watson will preside over the case, filed by the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department against the former volunteer Newton Township police officer for purportedly lying about being shot in his bulletproof vest while on duty in July.

Colosimo, 35, reported being shot near a cell-phone tower off Miller-Graber Road while he was investigating suspicious activity.

Judge Phil Vigorito of Newton Falls Municipal Court said the case was moved to Ravenna court to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. The prosecution and judge have familiarity with the now-disbanded Newton Township Police Department and Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department, Judge Vigorito said.

Maj. Thomas Stewart of the sheriff’s department conducted an investigation into the matter this winter and filed the first-degree misdemeanor falsification charge in Newton Falls Municipal Court.

Colosimo pleaded innocent in early March and was released on bond. Colosimo’s first pretrial hearing in Newton Falls was set for Tuesday before the case was transferred last week.