A grand jury has charged two additional people in connection with the case of a former Geneva police officer accused of selling controlled substances while on duty, Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione announced at a press conference on Oct. 22.
Michael Tapscott, a former Geneva police officer and former Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor, was arrested in May and initially charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance and one count of official misconduct.
At that time, Cirencione said Tapscott was accused of selling one dextroamphetamine pill - a form of Adderall and a Schedule II controlled substance - to a man at Geneva Foreign and Sports Inc.
Following a joint investigation by the Ontario, Seneca, and Wayne County Sheriff's Offices, investigators seized multiple cell phones containing over one million messages, many from Tapscott's phone dating back to 2022. According to Cirencione, these messages revealed a pattern of behavior in which Tapscott allegedly solicited members of the public and fellow Geneva Police Department officers to buy and sell drugs, both on and off duty.
As a result of the investigation, the grand jury has now charged two additional individuals - William McGowan and Geneva Police Sergeant David Felice - in connection with Tapscott's case. Tapscott also faces new charges.
"Police officers hold positions of power and authority. Our citizens need to know they can trust us, and it is on us to earn that trust," Cirencione said. "All of us standing here are joined by the hundreds of police officers and first responders who protect this region in denouncing this criminal behavior."
Michael R. Tapscott, a 12-year veteran of the Geneva Police Department, is now charged with:
David F. Felice, a 19-year veteran and current Geneva Police Sergeant, is charged with:
William B. McGowan, an alleged associate of Tapscott, is charged with:
According to Cirencione, McGowan and Felice allegedly attempted to delete text messages with Tapscott regarding the exchange of pills.
All three were arraigned in Ontario County Court before Judge Kristina Karle on Oct. 22 and released on their own recognizance. Special Prosecutor Wayne County District Attorney Christine Callanan said future court dates are pending.
Geneva Police Chief Ronald Eveland said the department has fully cooperated with the investigating agencies and thanked Sheriff Cirencione and his team for their professionalism.
"The actions of a few members do not reflect all of the positive things the police department has done in the past or continues to do moving forward," Eveland said.
According to Cirencione, the Ontario County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Division received a tip on April 21 that an officer may have sold a controlled substance while in uniform and driving a marked patrol vehicle. Search warrants were executed on April 30 in both the City and Town of Geneva.
Investigators later found that Tapscott allegedly offered to trade ammunition, firearm magazines, and sneakers in exchange for drugs. He also allegedly traded his own prescription Adderall for money or other controlled substances, including painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin.
In one instance, Cirencione said Tapscott allegedly stole a pill bottle believed to contain a controlled substance from a residence while responding to an emergency medical call.
Tapscott resigned from the Geneva Police Department in May. Sergeant Felice and another former officer, Nathan Jacon - who joined the department in December 2023 - were placed on administrative leave. Jacon has not been charged in connection with the case but resigned in August. Felice remains on administrative leave, Chief Eveland confirmed.
"Our sole focus is rebuilding that trust - both internally and with our community and law enforcement partners," Eveland said. "This isn't just a police officer; it's also a friend and a colleague. We're a small department, and many of our members grew up with Mr. Tapscott and Mr. Felice, so this strikes a personal note for us as well."
Cirencione said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges could be filed. The Ontario County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to submit tips through the mobile app "OntarioSheriffNY" or the Sheriff's Office website.
-- Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.