Former NYS trooper receives six-month sentence for faking his own shooting.

A former New York State trooper, Thomas Mascia, was sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation following a conviction for fabricating his own shooting. The incident, which transpired in October, led to an extensive manhunt for a non-existent assailant and raised significant concerns regarding law enforcement accountability.

Mascia, 28, faced a potential four-year prison sentence but opted for a plea agreement, pleading guilty to charges including falsely reporting an incident, tampering with physical evidence, and official misconduct. As part of the agreement reached in May, he was also ordered to pay restitution amounting to 9,511.

The incident that triggered the investigation saw Mascia claiming he had been shot in the leg by an unidentified gunman while responding to a disabled vehicle on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway. However, law enforcement authorities soon discovered that Mascia had actually inflicted the injury upon himself, subsequently staging the scene to simulate an attack. Investigators revealed that Mascia’s actions were motivated by a desire for attention, reportedly to gain sympathy from a romantic interest.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly commented on the case, emphasizing that Mascia’s reckless actions not only wasted valuable public resources but also diverted attention from genuine emergencies. As a consequence of his deceit, Mascia will spend three months in jail, during which time he is expected to reflect on the severity of his conduct.

Further investigations unveiled a troubling array of findings at Mascia’s West Hempstead residence, shared with his parents. Authorities discovered several firearms, steroids, and approximately million in cash. Following the revelations from the search, Mascia’s parents also entered into plea agreements concerning unrelated charges.

Mascia’s legal troubles did not end with this incident. Reports indicate he was hospitalized after an alleged suicide attempt in July. Prior to the shooting incident, he had also claimed to have sustained injuries from a hit-and-run accident in 2022.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Robert G. Bogle cautioned Mascia on the consequences of his misuse of authority, urging him to take the time during his incarceration to contemplate the ramifications of his actions. This case underscores the critical importance of integrity within law enforcement and the potential consequences when that trust is gravely violated.