Police in Groton are working with the state’s attorney’s office to determine whether additional charges should be filed in connection with a recent incident involving a popular YouTuber who is calling for charges to be filed against an off-duty state trooper.
SeanPaul Reyes, 34, who operates an Instagram page and a YouTube channel as “Long Island Audit,” was arrested along with his cameraman, 20-year-old Tahiem Glover, outside the home of off-duty Connecticut State Police Sgt. Bryan Fahey, who retrieved a gun during the encounter.
According to the Town of Groton Police Department, Glover and Reyes arrived at the home with a box truck playing video footage of a prior interaction between Reyes and Fahey — who are involved in ongoing civil litigation. Reyes describes himself as a “constitutional activist” and “investigative journalist.”
Police said Fahey retrieved a gun from his home during the argument, which stemmed from Reyes and Glover filming at the sergeant’s home while seeking information about the trooper’s overtime pay. A state police spokesperson confirmed this week that Fahey has not been placed on leave.
“The Town of Groton Police Department has met with the Office of the State’s Attorney for the New London Judicial District and provided their office with all records and materials related to the incident,” Chief L.J. Fusaro Jr. said in a statement issued Wednesday. “The State’s Attorney’s Office will determine whether further criminal action is warranted.”
Two NY men charged, one a well-known YouTuber, with trespassing at off-duty officer’s CT home
The incident was reported on July 11 at Fahey’s home where the two men from New York were arrested on voyeurism with malice, first-degree criminal trespassing and second-degree breach of peace charges. Police responded to the home shortly before 5 p.m. when Fahey called 911 and reported that the two men trespassed on his property.
Reyes told the Courant he believes the charges against him and Glover are baseless, and he thinks Fahey should be held accountable and arrested.
“He should be arrested because he broke the law,” Reyes alleges.
Reyes acknowledged that Fahey has a right to protect his home and his family, but he said he does not see how he could deem him a threat given that he says he has never been aggressive or threatening in any of their interactions.
“He went the opposite direction of his family,” Reyes alleged. “He went toward me as I was leaving the property, gun in hand. Bumped me several times, got in my face and spit in my face and mouth. Then came off of his property.”
Reyes claimed that he went to Fahey’s home after receiving an anonymous tip involving allegations tied to the sergeant’s overtime pay. After doing his own investigating, Reyes admits he found no evidence to support the allegations but said he does believe the amount of overtime the sergeant earned last year was excessive.
According to his YouTube channel, Reyes exercises his “constitutional rights respectfully while holding public servants accountable through transparency and lawful action.”
“Law enforcement officers swear an oath to uphold the Constitution — many take that oath seriously, and I support them,” the page states. “But those who don’t will be held accountable.”
The YouTube account features numerous videos — some of which have amassed millions of views — in which police and other government officials are challenged over what are often described as alleged First Amendment violations. The channel has about 950,000 subscribers.
In the video released of the interaction between Fahey and Reyes, Reyes can be seen walking down what appears to be a very long driveway to get to Fahey’s home. After knocking on the door, Fahey can be seen coming out and immediately telling Reyes to “get off my property,” the video shows.
“There’s no posted signs,” Reyes responds, referring to “no trespassing” signs.
As he begins slowly leaving, Reyes tries to ask Fahey about his overtime pay, as Fahey appears to get on his cell phone and goes back into his home.
Moments later, Fahey can be seen approaching Reyes as Reyes very slowly makes his way back toward the street, the video shows. Fahey then gets into Reyes’ face with a phone up to his ear and his other hand behind his back, yelling for Reyes to “get off my property right now” numerous times.
Reyes accuses Fahey of having a gun and claims he spit in his face, the video shows. Fahey can be seen moving toward Reyes as he backs away toward the street as the two continue to have a heated exchange.
Once Reyes is on the street, Fahey admits to having a gun in his hand and claims Reyes threatened to kill him online, according to the video.
“I’m protecting myself and my family,” Fahey says.
Groton police show up minutes later and, after investigating, arrested Reyes and Glover.
Reyes has started a GoFundMe to raise funds for what he says will be used to fight the “unlawful charges” filed against him and his cameraman. It had generated about $37,500 of its $40,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.
“I’ve faced a lot of injustice where law enforcement officers weren’t charged or investigated or held accountable for anything,” Reyes told The Courant. “That seems par for the course when it comes to law enforcement, not just in Connecticut, but across the country. But I think it’s an injustice that my cameraman and I were taken away in handcuffs charged with three baseless charges.”
Fusaro said police would not be commenting further on the matter, citing the ongoing investigation.
“We remain committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate fully as the case proceeds,” Fusaro said.
A federal lawsuit filed by Reyes against Fahey and two state police officials alleges that Reyes’ constitutional rights were violated during three separate incidents, including two that occurred on July 23, 2021, and a third on June 16, 2023, court papers said.
The first incident occurred at Bradley International Airport, where Reyes alleges he was recording the Transportation Security Administration’s security checkpoint when a TSA officer told him he was not allowed to record. After a TSA supervisor approached, Reyes allegedly said he could record as long as he did not capture the X-ray screen or interfere with security process.
Reyes alleges he was then approached by a trooper and detained unlawfully after telling him he did not have identification, according to the lawsuit. The trooper allegedly told him he was alarming travelers, the lawsuit states.
After being released from a set of handcuffs, Reyes went to the state police headquarters to file a complaint, where an officer allegedly asked Fahey for assistance, the lawsuit states. Fahey, Reyes alleges, did not wish to speak while being recorded and reportedly told him he needed to file his complaint with internal affairs division, giving him the address and how to contact them, according to the lawsuit.
During the exchange, Reyes alleges Fahey approached him and grabbed his cell phone that he was using to record, which stopped it from recording, before tossing the device and damaging it, the lawsuit states. He alleges Fahey then shoved him multiple times toward the parking lot.
Reyes returned to the state police headquarters on June 16, 2023, to make a Freedom of Information request regarding Fahey’s disciplinary record, according to the lawsuit. While there, Reyes said Fahey allegedly told him he had to make his request in writing and refused to allow him into the building but allowed another person there to enter, the lawsuit states. Reyes alleged Fahey then grabbed his phone, which stopped it from recording, and put it in his pocket, according to the lawsuit.