State trooper made up fake report after he accidentally shot himself in the leg

MINEOLA, N.Y. — A former New York State Trooper pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from a staged shooting incident in which he falsely claimed to have been ambushed by an armed motorist on the Southern State Parkway, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.

Thomas J. Mascia, 27, admitted in court to tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident, and official misconduct. The charges arise from an October 30, 2024, incident where Mascia shot himself in the leg and reported he was attacked during a traffic stop near Exit 17 in West Hempstead.

He is expected to be sentenced on August 20, 2025, to six months in jail and five years of probation. As part of his sentence, Mascia must also undergo mental health treatment and pay a civil judgment of $289,511.

“Thomas Mascia’s pathetic stunt put the public on edge and sent law enforcement in the tri-state area reeling,” DA Donnelly said in a statement. “Now, he will face the consequences for his fabrications and for tarnishing the oath he took to serve and protect New Yorkers.”

Investigation revealed staged crime scene

Mascia claimed the shooter was a dark-skinned male wearing a balaclava, driving a black Dodge Charger with a temporary New Jersey plate. His report triggered a multi-agency response involving state and local police across New York and New Jersey.

An investigation by the New York State Police and Nassau County District Attorney’s Office later revealed Mascia fabricated the story. Authorities found that he staged the scene by placing nine .22 caliber shell casings on the ground and used a .22 caliber rifle, later recovered from his family home, to wound himself.

Mascia’s patrol car records and GPS data showed he traveled between his residence, Hempstead Lake State Park, and the parkway in the hours leading up to the false report.

No eyewitnesses, physical evidence, or surveillance footage supported his claims.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James condemned Mascia’s actions, stating they “undermined the credibility of every Trooper who serves with honor and integrity.”

During the investigation, Mascia’s parents, Thomas A. Mascia and Dorothy Mascia, were also charged after an illegal firearm was found at their home during a search on November 2, 2024.

Mascia’s conviction marks the end of a case that misled multiple law enforcement agencies and cost the public significant time and resources.

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