A corrections officer at High Desert State Prison in Susanville was arrested by the Plumas County Sheriff's Office Thursday on suspicion of filing two false police reports.
The suspect, Sgt. Todd Posch, was later cited and released and the case has been forwarded to the Plumas County District Attorney.
Sheriff's investigators said claims by Posch he had been struck by a vehicle early Wednesday morning while walking in front of his Greenville home proved to be false. After calling 9-1-1, Posch was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries that officials said were self-inflicted.
Under questioning, Posch also reportedly confessed to fabricating a report he made March 27, 2009, stating he had been attacked by up to three men at a highway rest stop near Canyon Dam.
Posch was on his way to work and was in uniform, but was driving his private vehicle. Investigators said Posch claimed he was jumped by between one and three men. Corrections officials said at the time Posch had received a "vicious beating."
Sheriff's investigator Bill Elliott said injuries in that incident were also self-inflicted. Posch reportedly drove himself to a hospital, where he was treated for cuts, apparent stab wounds and broken ribs.
The alleged attack touched off a manhunt in the area for possible suspects, who may have been in a brown sport utility vehicle. Retaliation by former prisoners was considered as a possible motive.
He has not returned to work, but an administrative assistant to the warden said it is the officer's decision, and is due to his medical condition.
Prison spokesman John Boitano said corrections officials plan no action against the guard until the Plumas County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney complete their investigations.
Boitano said Posch has been a corrections officer at High Desert since the late 1990s. He said everyone who knows and has worked with Posch is thoroughly surprised by the allegations.
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