Former Scottsbluff Police Captain Brian Wasson has been sentenced to prison on his convictions for two counts of theft by unlawful taking.
District Court Judge Cindy Volkmer handed down a sentence of 40 to 68 months on each of the charges, ordering them to be served concurrently. Additionally, Wasson was ordered to pay $7,000 in restitution to the Scottsbluff Police Department.
Defense Attorney Maren Chaloupka offered a timeline on Wasson. She stated that he suffered a back injury in 2002 during a foot pursuit while on duty, and for more than two decades since he had been prescribed and became addicted to opioids. Over the years, his tolerance grew and needed stronger dosages to mitigate the pain, which led to Wasson stealing drugs and cash from the Scottsbluff Police Department evidence room.
Wasson had initiated the process of surrendering his law enforcement certification in September after advising Police Chief Kevin Spencer about his addiction and subsequent thefts.
Many colleagues stated that they had no idea that Wasson had an addiction, but high ranking officers within the department also said that Wasson’s actions have “tarnished the badge” and cast a shadow upon the Scottsbluff Police Department.
Prosecuting for the state was Assistant Attorney General Michael Guinan. During closing remarks, he noted that Wasson has done a lot of great work for the community, but that doesn’t diminish that fact that thefts affected the trust of the community and within the department. “Those are going to be broad and those are going to be long lasting,” said Guinan. He also noted that Wasson’s legacy will be his impact on the community post sentencing.
Chaloupka noted that just last week, Wasson celebrated one year of sobriety, and continues to be a daily participant in his rehabilitation and 12 step program.
Before the sentence was handed down, Wasson addressed the court and apologized for his actions.
After hearing from both attorneys and Wasson, Judge Volkmer said that Wasson’s mistakes don’t erase the contributions he made to the community, but his accomplishments do not erase his mistakes.
“I find that there are substantial and compelling reasons for a period of incarceration, which include the fact that the defendant was not just a police officer in Scottsbluff, but he was a captain in the force. He was just below the chief and in a position of power and authority over his fellow officers. That Mr. Wasson interfered with at least three active cases due his actions. That Mr. Wasson took evidence from other cases and provided it to his dealer, potentially putting drugs back on the streets.”
Judge Volkmer proceeded to hand down a prison sentence on each of the Class 2 Felony charges of 40 to 68 months, which will run concurrently instead of consecutive.
During the proceedings, Chaloupka noted the seriousness that her client- a police captain- was not aware of some of the resources available in the community to treat addiction. During the first 30 minutes of the hearing, she had Dr. Todd Stull testify about addiction and its compounding effects. She contended that had more resources been readily available for Wasson and others who were prescribed pain killers and then formed an addiction, the thefts may have never happened.
The roughly two dozen people sitting in the courtroom during Tuesday’s sentencing were emotional following the sentencing as Wasson was taken into custody by Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Deputies.
