Former NY state trooper Thomas Mascia admits to fabricating his own shooting incident.
A former New York State trooper has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including official misconduct and tampering with evidence, after faking his own shooting and initiating a significant manhunt for a non-existent assailant. Thomas Mascia, 27, entered his plea in court on Wednesday, setting the stage for a resolution to a case that has drawn considerable public interest and scrutiny.
In accordance with the plea agreement, Mascia is set to receive a six-month jail sentence followed by five years of probation, during which he will be required to participate in mental health treatment. Furthermore, he faces the obligation to repay nearly 0,000 in restitution to cover the extensive overtime costs incurred by law enforcement agencies during the three-day search for the fabricated suspect.
The troubling events began on the evening of October 30, 2024, when Mascia claimed he had been shot while assisting a disabled vehicle on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway. He described the alleged assailant as a driver of a Dodge Charger with temporary New Jersey plates, purportedly firing at him during the encounter. Initially hailed as a hero and admitted to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg, Mascia ignited a multi-state operation to locate the supposed shooter.
However, within days, investigators began highlighting inconsistencies in Mascia’s narrative. After a diligent inquiry, prosecutors concluded that Mascia had actually sustained his injury by shooting himself in a nearby park before fabricating the story. Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly noted that Mascia’s dramatic account was ultimately revealed as a calculated deception aimed at garnering public sympathy.
Mascia was arrested in January 2025 after being charged with tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident, and official misconduct. He officially resigned from the New York State Police shortly thereafter. Although he initially pleaded not guilty, Mascia’s legal strategy shifted as he accepted the plea deal after a previous hearing was postponed due to his reported mental distress.
During the court proceedings, Mascia admitted to the fraudulent nature of his claims when questioned about his actions. District Attorney Donnelly stated that Mascia’s actions not only endangered public resources but also undermined the trust placed in law enforcement personnel. Alongside Mascia, his parents faced their own legal troubles after authorities discovered a semiautomatic rifle with illegal modifications in their home during a coordinated search.
All parties involved are anticipated to receive their sentences on August 20. This case serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions of violating the public trust and the potential consequences of misleading law enforcement.
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