A former lieutenant with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department was accused Tuesday of obstructing state authorities investigating her for prescription pill theft.
Sarah L. Massa, 36, was charged Tuesday, March 25, in Waukesha County Circuit Court with misdemeanor theft and obstructing an officer, both misdemeanors.
She could face 18 months in prison and $20,000 in fines if convicted.
According to the criminal complaint, Waukesha Police contacted state authorities last year about the theft of opiate medication from the McDermott residence at 1501 Pewaukee Rd., Waukesha.
Massa was suspected of stealing the medication, which was prescribed to her grandmother, Leona McDermott, to treat pain related to terminal cancer, the complaint states.
Donald McDermott, Massa’s grandfather, told investigators that about 60 pills had gone missing after a Fourth of July party was held at the residence. He discovered that another 58 pills had gone missing in September.
In both instances Massa was at the home around the time the pills went missing. He said in the complaint that his granddaughter was a “good kid,” but she suffered from back pain and “something was going on.”
Investigators places a covert camera and a bottle of placebo pills in Donald McDermott’s bedroom in October and pills again went missing on Nov. 13.
Investigators reviewed the tape, which the complaint states was “very dark,” but it showed an individual in a police uniform with a gun holster entering the room and removing the fake pills from a nightstand.
Donald McDermott told investigators that Massa was at the residence at the time in question and identified the person as his granddaughter based on her profile.
Investigators spoke with Massa on Nov. 18. She told investigators in the complaint that she suspected her aunt was stealing the medication. She later admitted to taking the pills from the room, but claimed she knew they were not Percocet. When asked what she did with the pills, she said she consumed them all at once.
Massa went to her grandparent’s house on Nov. 21 and tried to talk Donald McDermott into dropping the charges, the complaint states. He told investigators that she admitted to taking the pills at that time.
Sheriff Daniel Trawicki said in a statement that he did not wish to speak on the matter because the case is ongoing. He said that Massa was placed on administrative leave in December and resigned from the force on Wednesday, March 5.
Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jennifer Wallschlaeger previously said that Massa had been with the department since 2001.
Her husband, Chris Massa, was an officer with the Waukesha Police Department until he resigned in late February. Police Chief Russell Jack said in a news release he was being investigated at the time for sending sexually suggestive pictures or texts to his wife while on duty.
“Based on the information available we believe that we would have been able to substantiate the charges against him, and the investigation would have resulted in discipline up to and including termination,” he said.
The evidence that initiated that internal investigation, now closed, was located on his wife’s phone.
According to court records, the case against Massa will be prosecuted by District Attorney Brad Schimel.
She is expected to make an initial appearance in court on Monday, April 7.
Showing posts with label obstructing officer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obstructing officer. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Officer Danielle Scott Arrested for Obstructing an Officer
A probationary Milwaukee police officer was arrested on a state charge of obstructing an officer, the Milwaukee police department said.
Danielle Scott, 22, is accused of providing false information regarding a homicide investigation. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case.
"I have lost confidence in her ability to serve on the Milwaukee Police Department and I have terminated her employment," Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said.
According to the Department, Scott served as a police aide before becoming a police officer in October and graduating from the police academy in March.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case against her.
Police sources told TODAY'S TMJ4 that officer is dating a man arrested for gunning down another man in a violent car jacking.
Russell Setum was shot to death and his mother was also shot. Sources say officer Scott was found at the suspect's home. No charges have been filed yet.
The two have a child together.
Meanwhile, police say Chief Flynn discharged sergeant Christopher Gull last week. According to police, "Gull displayed sexually explicit photos and made inappropriate comments to co-workers and subordinates while on duty."
Gull had 16 years of service with MPD and was a sergeant assigned to the Technical Communications Division.
Chief Flynn is expected to answer questions about the recent discharges of personnel Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Officer Shayne Souza Pleads Not Guilty to Possessing Marijuana
A Honolulu police officer arrested in Las Vegas for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana and obstructing a public officer is pleading not guilty.
Shayne Souza's lawyer entered his plea Thursday in a Las Vegas court. Souza wasn't present and wasn't required to be.
The 47-year-old Souza allegedly ran from a Las Vegas Parks Police officer on Aug. 15.
Also arrested were a fellow officer, 37-year-old Kevin Fujioka, and a Honolulu social worker, 38-year-old Scott Wilson.
A not guilty plea also was entered for Wilson on Thursday. Fujioka is to enter a plea on Nov. 16. Non-jury trials are scheduled for Souza on Nov. 18 and for Wilson on Feb. 9.
Souza and Fujioka have been suspended and placed on administrative leave without pay.
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Information from: The Honolulu Advertiser, http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com
Other Information: http://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/15/hawaiian-cop-pleads-not-guilty-misdemeanor-pot-cha/
Shayne Souza's lawyer entered his plea Thursday in a Las Vegas court. Souza wasn't present and wasn't required to be.
The 47-year-old Souza allegedly ran from a Las Vegas Parks Police officer on Aug. 15.
Also arrested were a fellow officer, 37-year-old Kevin Fujioka, and a Honolulu social worker, 38-year-old Scott Wilson.
A not guilty plea also was entered for Wilson on Thursday. Fujioka is to enter a plea on Nov. 16. Non-jury trials are scheduled for Souza on Nov. 18 and for Wilson on Feb. 9.
Souza and Fujioka have been suspended and placed on administrative leave without pay.
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Information from: The Honolulu Advertiser, http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com
Other Information: http://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/15/hawaiian-cop-pleads-not-guilty-misdemeanor-pot-cha/
Monday, August 17, 2009
Officers Kevin Fujioka & Shayne Souza Arrested
Two Honolulu law enforcers in Las Vegas to play in a softball tournament for police and firefighters were arrested on marijuana charges after leading authorities on a short chase.
Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling said officers Kevin Fujioka, 37, and Shayne Souza, 47, were arrested Saturday night near Desert Breeze Park, about six miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Scott Wilson, a 38-year-old social worker from Honolulu, also was arrested, Welling said Monday.
Park police approached the men in a white van because it was parked sideways across two spots in the parking lot, Welling said. As officers approached, the van drove off.
After a short pursuit, Souza and Fujioka got out of the van and ran from police, authorities said. Welling said officers pepper-sprayed Souza when he resisted arrest.
All three men were charged with marijuana possession, Welling said. Fujioka also was charged with driving under the influence of a narcotic, and Souza was charged with drug paraphernalia possession, resisting a police officer and obstruction of justice. Wilson was charged with having an open alcohol container in a vehicle, Welling said.
Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department, confirmed that the agency has two officers with the same names as Fujioka and Souza, but she said the department had not heard about the arrests and could not immediately comment.
Yu said Fujioka is a patrol officer who has worked at the department 13 years, while Souza is a SWAT officer who has been with the department 20 years.
Welling said the men identified themselves as police officers from the Hawaii city.
Tom Wagner, president of the Nevada Police Athletic Federation, said the arrests happened during a men's softball tournament that was part of the 2009 Nevada Police & Fire Games. The five-day event of various sports and games involves about 2,000 police and firefighters from across the country, Wagner said.
He called the arrests "shocking" and said it's possible that the players and their team would not be invited to return to the games.
"It's unfortunate but we definitely are going to be speaking to that coach and that police department and getting the story and deciding what our action will be as a federation," Wagner said.
Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling said officers Kevin Fujioka, 37, and Shayne Souza, 47, were arrested Saturday night near Desert Breeze Park, about six miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Scott Wilson, a 38-year-old social worker from Honolulu, also was arrested, Welling said Monday.
Park police approached the men in a white van because it was parked sideways across two spots in the parking lot, Welling said. As officers approached, the van drove off.
After a short pursuit, Souza and Fujioka got out of the van and ran from police, authorities said. Welling said officers pepper-sprayed Souza when he resisted arrest.
All three men were charged with marijuana possession, Welling said. Fujioka also was charged with driving under the influence of a narcotic, and Souza was charged with drug paraphernalia possession, resisting a police officer and obstruction of justice. Wilson was charged with having an open alcohol container in a vehicle, Welling said.
Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department, confirmed that the agency has two officers with the same names as Fujioka and Souza, but she said the department had not heard about the arrests and could not immediately comment.
Yu said Fujioka is a patrol officer who has worked at the department 13 years, while Souza is a SWAT officer who has been with the department 20 years.
Welling said the men identified themselves as police officers from the Hawaii city.
Tom Wagner, president of the Nevada Police Athletic Federation, said the arrests happened during a men's softball tournament that was part of the 2009 Nevada Police & Fire Games. The five-day event of various sports and games involves about 2,000 police and firefighters from across the country, Wagner said.
He called the arrests "shocking" and said it's possible that the players and their team would not be invited to return to the games.
"It's unfortunate but we definitely are going to be speaking to that coach and that police department and getting the story and deciding what our action will be as a federation," Wagner said.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Lt Joseph Buzdziol Arrested for Possession & Drunk Driving
The head of a drug unit for the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office faces charges of marijuana possession, drunken driving and resisting and obstructing police after state troopers pulled him over in Bay County, according to Bay County Prosecutor Kurt Asbury.
Lt. Joseph Guzdziol faces up to two years in prison after state police stopped his car in Monitor Township at 11 p.m. Friday.
Police said Guzdziol was driving drunk with a minor in the car when troopers stopped him. Police said Guzdziol was unruly and resisted arrest.
“This is an unfortunate situation because it involves an officer,” Asbury said.
Guzdziol, who worked as an undercover drug officer before taking the helm at the sheriff’s drug unit, was placed on leave without pay.
Troopers tracked down Guzdziol’s car after 911 callers reported an erratic driver.
Guzdziol was released from the Bay County Jail on Saturday after posting a $10,000 bond. He is to be arraigned on March 6 at 74th District Court in Bay City.
Guzdziol has been with the sheriff’s department for 22 years.
Lt. Joseph Guzdziol faces up to two years in prison after state police stopped his car in Monitor Township at 11 p.m. Friday.
Police said Guzdziol was driving drunk with a minor in the car when troopers stopped him. Police said Guzdziol was unruly and resisted arrest.
“This is an unfortunate situation because it involves an officer,” Asbury said.
Guzdziol, who worked as an undercover drug officer before taking the helm at the sheriff’s drug unit, was placed on leave without pay.
Troopers tracked down Guzdziol’s car after 911 callers reported an erratic driver.
Guzdziol was released from the Bay County Jail on Saturday after posting a $10,000 bond. He is to be arraigned on March 6 at 74th District Court in Bay City.
Guzdziol has been with the sheriff’s department for 22 years.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sgt Arthur Barksdale Charged with Harassment
Syracuse, NY
A sergeant with the Onondaga County Sheriff's custody division was arrested over the weekend after an incident at Carousel Center, his boss, Chief Richard Carbery said.
Arthur Barksdale, 48, of 321 Barrington Road, Syracuse, allegedly scuffled with city police officers at the mall in an incident that happened shortly before 10 p.m. Friday night, Carbery said.
Barksdale is now on administrative leave and has been charged with harassment, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration, Carbery said.
Barksdale, who has been with the Sheriff's office for 22 years, would not comment on the charges, saying he wants to consult with his lawyer first. He is scheduled to meet with his attorney this morning .
Syracuse police Sgt. Tom Connellan said police were at the mall, trying to break up fights at the bottom of the escalator near the food court. Detective Anthony Colavita was trying to get to the bottom to help quell the fray. Barksdale, also going down, had his hands on the rails,
blocking the passage of Colavita, who was in uniform, Connellan said.
According to police reports, Colavita tapped Barksdale on the shoulder and tried to get through. Barksdale allegedly swore and shoved Colavita back, Connellan said.
The two then scuffled, wrestling on the tracks of the escalator, said Connellan.
When they reached the bottom, another officer pulled Barksdale away from the crowds and officers tried to handcuff him, but Barksdale struggled and shouted that he was a cop, Connellan read from reports.
After he was in custody, he was taken downtown to be booked and made bail that night, Connellan said.
Barksdale was among African-American deputies who filed racial harassment and discrimination claims in 2000 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to news archives.
A sergeant with the Onondaga County Sheriff's custody division was arrested over the weekend after an incident at Carousel Center, his boss, Chief Richard Carbery said.
Arthur Barksdale, 48, of 321 Barrington Road, Syracuse, allegedly scuffled with city police officers at the mall in an incident that happened shortly before 10 p.m. Friday night, Carbery said.
Barksdale is now on administrative leave and has been charged with harassment, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration, Carbery said.
Barksdale, who has been with the Sheriff's office for 22 years, would not comment on the charges, saying he wants to consult with his lawyer first. He is scheduled to meet with his attorney this morning .
Syracuse police Sgt. Tom Connellan said police were at the mall, trying to break up fights at the bottom of the escalator near the food court. Detective Anthony Colavita was trying to get to the bottom to help quell the fray. Barksdale, also going down, had his hands on the rails,
blocking the passage of Colavita, who was in uniform, Connellan said.
According to police reports, Colavita tapped Barksdale on the shoulder and tried to get through. Barksdale allegedly swore and shoved Colavita back, Connellan said.
The two then scuffled, wrestling on the tracks of the escalator, said Connellan.
When they reached the bottom, another officer pulled Barksdale away from the crowds and officers tried to handcuff him, but Barksdale struggled and shouted that he was a cop, Connellan read from reports.
After he was in custody, he was taken downtown to be booked and made bail that night, Connellan said.
Barksdale was among African-American deputies who filed racial harassment and discrimination claims in 2000 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to news archives.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sgt Pete Bunch Charged with Resisting Arrest
SPOKANE
Officials with the Spokane Police Department confirm they arrested a sergeant with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office after an incident Friday morning.
Sergeant Pete Bunch has been identified as the person involved in the incident.
It started when a police officer was called to a home in the 3200 block of East Marie Court on Friday by a woman who dialed 911 to report that a suspicious person was in her backyard.
Court documents say the first officer on scene stopped Sgt. Bunch in the street, but Bunch would not look at him and he appeared to be in a daze.
Police say Bunch was uncooperative and wouldn't answer questions, saying only that he was looking for his lost dog.
The report says the officer grabbed Bunch's wrist to arrest him but Bunch tried to wiggle free.
"There was a point the officer felt he couldn't control the situation and needed to bring his tazer out to effect the arrest. It was at that point that other officers arrived and they were able to take him into custody," Officer Jen DeRuwe of the Spokane Police Department said.
Sgt. Bunch was taken to the Spokane County Jail and booked on a count of Resisting Arrest and Obstructing an Officer. It was only after he was taken into custody that he was formally identified as a sergeant with the sheriff's office.
"They didn't know until they checked his pocket after he was arrested," Officer DeRuwe said.
Police said that Bunch probably would not have been arrested had he just cooperated with his fellow law enforcement officers.
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich says Bunch has been on the force 32 years.
"These charges of all things, I would expect better from a seasoned veteran," Sheriff Knezovich said.
Sheriff Knezovich says that Bunch has been placed on paid administrative leave and that there will be an internal investigation into his conduct once the criminal case is complete.
"The county doesn't have a system where we put people on unpaid status. It's all paid leave. I don't like that system, so I'm going to find a way to plug the sergeant into a position where he can work and the taxpayers can get some benefit for that pay," Sheriff Knezovich said.
The Sheriff also wanted to assure people that no one gets preferential treatment when it comes to the law.
"This agency will hold people accountable. You've seen me hold people accountable and nothing has changed," Sheriff Knezovich said.
Bunch has been in trouble before and was once demoted from lieutenant to sergeant. The sheriff would not comment on past disciplinary actions taken against Bunch.
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http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/stories/ktvbn-feb1009-sheriff_arrest.27d3288.html
Friday, October 24, 2008
Deputy William James Weber Arrested for Sexual Assault
The Douglas County Sheriff's Department and the Superior Police department are tight–lipped about the specifics of 55 year old William James Weber's arrest today.
The long time Douglas County Deputy and investigator faces a multitude of charges stemming from an allegation of 4th degree sexual assault on October 15th.
A statement issued by the Superior Police Department says Weber allegedly sexually assaulted an 18 year old male last Wednesday.
Upon executing a search warrant on Weber's home, investigators seized property from his residence including a computer.
Today around 11 a.m. Weber was arrested on two counts of 4th degree sexual assault, two counts of obstructing an officer, one count of depictions containing nudity and one count of exposing a child to harmful material.
The sexual assault charge is a misdemeanor.
Wisconsin state statutes describe it as intentional touching through clothing for the purpose of degrading or humiliating the victim or sexually arousing or gratifying the defendant.
The charge of depictions containing nudity is described as having nude pictures without the subject's knowledge, which is more commonly known as voyeurism.
Weber made his initial court appearance today, and was released on a two–thousand dollar signature bond.
Because Weber is a Douglas County employee Douglas County Attorney Dan Blank is planning on requesting a special prosecutor for the case.
Weber has been place on administrative leave, and Douglas County Sheriff department officials tell me that an internal investigation is on going and they unable to comment until the investigation is finished.
The Superior Police Department is conducting its own criminal investigation.
Weber's is scheduled to appear next on November 21st.
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The long time Douglas County Deputy and investigator faces a multitude of charges stemming from an allegation of 4th degree sexual assault on October 15th.
A statement issued by the Superior Police Department says Weber allegedly sexually assaulted an 18 year old male last Wednesday.
Upon executing a search warrant on Weber's home, investigators seized property from his residence including a computer.
Today around 11 a.m. Weber was arrested on two counts of 4th degree sexual assault, two counts of obstructing an officer, one count of depictions containing nudity and one count of exposing a child to harmful material.
The sexual assault charge is a misdemeanor.
Wisconsin state statutes describe it as intentional touching through clothing for the purpose of degrading or humiliating the victim or sexually arousing or gratifying the defendant.
The charge of depictions containing nudity is described as having nude pictures without the subject's knowledge, which is more commonly known as voyeurism.
Weber made his initial court appearance today, and was released on a two–thousand dollar signature bond.
Because Weber is a Douglas County employee Douglas County Attorney Dan Blank is planning on requesting a special prosecutor for the case.
Weber has been place on administrative leave, and Douglas County Sheriff department officials tell me that an internal investigation is on going and they unable to comment until the investigation is finished.
The Superior Police Department is conducting its own criminal investigation.
Weber's is scheduled to appear next on November 21st.
http://www.blogger.com
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