WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — A former New York State Trooper and his parents have been arrested following an investigation into an October 2024 incident in which the trooper falsely claimed he was shot while on duty, authorities announced Monday.
Thomas J. Mascia, 27, of West Hempstead, was charged with tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident, and official misconduct. Mascia has since resigned from the New York State Police.
On October 30, Mascia reported that he was shot in the leg while checking on a disabled vehicle on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17. His report prompted a large-scale search for the alleged vehicle. However, an investigation by the Troop L Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office concluded that Mascia had shot himself in the leg and fabricated the story.
During the investigation, a search warrant executed at the Mascia family home uncovered an illegally possessed firearm, leading to the arrests of Mascia’s parents, Thomas Mascia Sr., 62, and Dorothy Mascia, 55, on charges of criminal possession of a firearm.
All three were arraigned in district court in Hempstead and released. They are scheduled to appear in court on February 5, 2025, at 9 a.m.