A Geneva police officer was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly selling a controlled substance while in uniform and operating a marked vehicle.
The suspect, Michael Tapscott, age 41, of Geneva, is a thirteen-year veteran of the Geneva Police Department. He has been charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a Class D felony, and one count of official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
During the week of April 21, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division received intelligence that a Geneva City police officer had sold a controlled substance to an adult male at a business in the Town of Geneva. The business was later identified as Geneva Foreign and Sports, a car dealership and mechanic shop located on Route 14. The recipient of the controlled substance was an employee at that location.
An immediate investigation led to multiple search warrants being executed in the city and town of Geneva on April 30. Investigators have since spent hundreds of hours examining physical and digital evidence and gathering additional information.
Based on the evidence collected, investigators obtained significant probable cause that Tapscott provided Dextroamphetamine, a form of Adderall and a Schedule II controlled substance requiring a prescription, to another person.
Tapscott, who was assigned to road patrol and was not part of any specialized unit, had previously served as a DARE officer but withdrew from that program in early 2024. Following notification of the investigation on April 25, Tapscott was placed on administrative leave. He officially resigned from the Geneva Police Department the day before his arrest.
Tapscott was arraigned during the morning session of Ontario County CAP Court and released on his own recognizance pending further action in Geneva Town Court on May 14.
Sheriff David J. Cirencione emphasized the seriousness of the allegations. “No one feels disturbing news like this deeper than those who serve their communities with honor and professionalism every day,” he said. “Each of us understands that no one is above the law, including police officers.”
Officials confirmed the ongoing investigation could expand if further evidence reveals additional wrongdoing, including the involvement of other individuals. “Wherever the investigation and the evidence lead us to, we will follow,” Cirencione stated.
District Attorney Jim Ritz noted that Tapscott’s charges carry a potential penalty ranging from an unconditional discharge to up to five and a half years in prison, with one to two years of post-release supervision. He added that Tapscott’s prior involvement in active cases will require disclosure of his arrest to relevant parties as part of an internal review process.
“My message to the public is clear,” Cirencione said. “We owe it to the public to clean this up. We’re better than this.” He praised the swift action taken in the case, stating, “In two weeks’ time we’ve been able to make an arrest.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
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