A former Geneva Police Department officer accused of selling prescription drugs has pleaded guilty as part of an investigation that has also led to charges against three others.
Special prosecutor Christine Callanan, the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office district attorney, said Michael Tapscott entered a guilty plea on February 19 to 40 counts of official misconduct and criminal possession of a controlled substance. He will be sentenced to 16 weekends in jail and five years probation in April
Tapscott, a 13-year veteran of the department, admitted to selling dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, a prescription form of Adderall, to someone at a used car dealership along Route 14 north of Geneva on April 21, according to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office. He resigned on May 6, one day before he was formally charged.
Investigators said Tapscott had been facing multiple felony drug sale and possession charges, along with numerous misconduct counts. David Cirencione, sheriff of Ontario County, previously described the case as showing a pattern of troubling behavior, alleging Tapscott solicited both fellow officers and members of the community to buy or sell controlled substances while on and off duty.
The investigation has also resulted in charges against others. Sgt. David Felice, a 19-year veteran of the department, and William McGowan were each charged with felony tampering with physical evidence for allegedly deleting messages connected to the case. Felice also faces drug possession and official misconduct charges and remains on administrative leave.
A fourth defendant, former officer Nathan Jacon, was later arraigned on charges including criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance and official misconduct. Jacon resigned in August after being placed on leave and was released on his own recognizance.
All charges against the remaining defendants are accusations, and the cases remain pending.
