Trooper FAKED Shooting – Now Faces JAIL

A New York State Trooper who fabricated an elaborate tale of being shot by a suspect during a traffic stop now faces jail time, mental health treatment, and nearly $300,000 in restitution costs after pleading guilty to multiple charges.

At a Glance

• Former NYS Trooper Thomas Mascia shot himself and falsely claimed a driver shot him during a traffic stop
• His fabricated story triggered a massive regionwide manhunt for a non-existent suspect
• Mascia pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, official misconduct, and falsifying documents
• He received six months in jail, five years probation, mandatory mental health treatment, and must pay $289,000 in restitution
• His parents were separately involved in unrelated weapons charges

A Fabricated Shooting and Costly Manhunt

On October 30, Thomas Mascia, then a New York State Trooper, reported being shot by a driver during a traffic stop on the Southern State Parkway. He claimed an unknown assailant, whom he described as a “dark-skinned” man, had fired at him before fleeing the scene. This false report triggered an extensive search operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across the tri-state area, with officers desperately seeking a dangerous suspect who did not exist. The manhunt consumed significant resources and put communities on high alert as police searched for a phantom shooter.

As investigators dug deeper into Mascia’s account, inconsistencies emerged. Evidence at the scene didn’t match his story, and further investigation revealed the shocking truth: Mascia had shot himself at a park and then deliberately staged the scene to appear as if he had been attacked. He planted shell casings and fabricated details to support his false narrative, all apparently in an attempt to gain attention or sympathy. Some reports suggested he may have been trying to impress a woman, though his exact motivation remains somewhat unclear.

Serious Legal Consequences

Following the exposure of his deception, Mascia was suspended without pay and eventually resigned from his position with the New York State Police. He has now pleaded guilty to multiple charges including tampering with evidence, official misconduct, and falsifying documents. Under his plea agreement, Mascia will serve six months in jail followed by five years of probation. The former trooper must also pay $289,000 in restitution to cover the costs of the pointless search operation his lies triggered.

State Police Superintendent Steven G. James condemned Mascia’s actions as a betrayal of public trust, highlighting the damage done to the reputation of law enforcement. Nassau District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly similarly criticized the former trooper, emphasizing how his false claims needlessly alarmed the public and wasted valuable police resources. The case represents a rare and disturbing instance of a law enforcement officer deliberately fabricating a serious crime, undermining the very system he was sworn to uphold.

Mental Health Issues and Family Complications

A scheduled court appearance to change Mascia’s plea was previously postponed due to concerns about his mental health. His attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, has referenced “untreated mental health issues” that may have contributed to Mascia’s behavior. As part of his sentence, Mascia is required to undergo mental health treatment, suggesting the court recognizes psychological factors may have played a role in his actions. The plea deal balances punishment with rehabilitation, acknowledging both the severity of his crimes and his apparent psychological needs.

Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Mascia’s parents were reportedly involved in unrelated weapons charges. According to reports, Mascia’s father had previously been linked to a cocaine ring, suggesting potential family issues that may have affected the former trooper’s life and career choices. The parents were expected to enter their own guilty pleas in connection with firearms charges, though these cases remain separate from their son’s misconduct. This family background adds context to what appears to be a deeply troubled situation extending beyond Mascia’s individual actions.