Former Geneva police sergeant pleads guilty to drug charge, loses certification

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A former Geneva police sergeant charged in connection with a drug investigation involving multiple members of the department has pleaded guilty and will lose his police certification.

David Felice pleaded guilty Oct. 1 to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and waived his right to appeal, according to the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office. He was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge, and his certification as a police officer will be forfeited.

Felice, a 19-year veteran of the Geneva Police Department, was among several people charged following an investigation into former Geneva police officer Michael Tapscott.

Investigators previously accused Tapscott of selling controlled substances to others while on and off duty, including an alleged transaction involving a form of Adderall at a Geneva business while he was in uniform and operating a marked police vehicle.

According to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, investigators found evidence that Tapscott regularly solicited members of the police department and community to buy and sell controlled substances. Authorities alleged he exchanged prescription medication for money, other controlled substances and personal property.

Tapscott, a 13-year veteran of the department, resigned shortly before his arrest and was decertified. He later pleaded guilty to 40 counts involving official misconduct and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

In May, Tapscott was sentenced to 16 weekends in jail and five years’ probation.

Felice was subsequently charged with tampering with physical evidence, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and official misconduct. He had previously been placed on administrative leave amid the investigation.

Another former Geneva police officer, Nathan Jacon, was also indicted in connection with the investigation. Jacon pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in May and received a conditional discharge requiring him to sign decertification paperwork, according to special prosecutor Christine Callanan.

A fourth individual, William R. McGowan, was charged with tampering with physical evidence.

Felice’s guilty plea marks another resolution in the investigation involving former members of the Geneva Police Department