GENEVA, N.Y. — Former Geneva Police Department Sergeant David Felice has pleaded guilty to a controlled substance possession charge in connection with a prescription drug investigation involving multiple current and former members of the department.
Felice pleaded guilty on October 1, 2026, to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and received a one-year conditional discharge, according to reporting citing the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office and special prosecutor Christine Callanan.
The plea agreement also requires Felice to forfeit his New York State police certification, ending his eligibility to serve as a certified police officer in the state.
Felice, a longtime member of the Geneva Police Department, had previously been placed on paid administrative leave as investigators examined allegations involving the unlawful distribution and possession of prescription medications.
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Felice Previously Faced Multiple Criminal Charges
Felice was among several individuals indicted following an investigation conducted by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office.
He initially faced charges of:
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
- Official misconduct
According to Finger Lakes Daily News, Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione previously indicated that the evidence-tampering allegations involved deleting or attempting to delete text messages concerning prescription medications.
Felice ultimately pleaded guilty to the controlled substance possession charge. Public reporting reviewed for this article does not specify the final disposition of each additional charge originally filed against him.
His sentence of a one-year conditional discharge does not require incarceration, provided he complies with the court’s conditions during that period.
Felice Retired Before Entering Guilty Plea
Additional reporting published October 21, 2026, established that Felice retired from the Geneva Police Department shortly before entering his guilty plea.
Geneva Police Chief Ron Eveland confirmed that Felice retired September 28, 2026, after reaching 20 years of eligible service.
Felice had remained on paid administrative leave while the criminal proceedings were pending.
His retirement occurred three days before his October 1 guilty plea.
Although his retirement and criminal sentence have been reported, publicly available reporting reviewed for this article does not establish whether the case affected his retirement benefits.
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Investigation Began With Allegations Against Officer Michael Tapscott
The broader investigation originated with allegations against Michael Tapscott, a 13-year veteran of the Geneva Police Department.
According to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified a transaction on April 21, 2025, involving the sale of dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, a prescription stimulant commonly marketed in generic forms of Adderall.
Authorities reported that the transaction occurred at a used car dealership along Route 14 north of Geneva.
Investigators alleged that Tapscott was involved in selling controlled substances while performing police duties, including conduct involving a marked police vehicle.
Tapscott resigned from the Geneva Police Department on May 6, 2025.
The following day, authorities charged him with criminal sale of a controlled substance and official misconduct.
The investigation subsequently expanded to additional individuals with connections to Tapscott.
Grand Jury Indictments Expanded Investigation
On October 22, 2025, authorities announced that an Ontario County grand jury had indicted Tapscott, Felice and William McGowan.
Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione reported that investigators had uncovered allegations of repeated efforts by Tapscott to arrange controlled substance transactions involving other police department members and individuals in the community.
The alleged conduct included activity occurring both during and outside Tapscott’s scheduled police duties.
Another Geneva police officer, Nathan Jacon, was subsequently indicted and arraigned on October 29, 2025.
Investigators examined the conduct of each individual separately as the criminal proceedings developed.
The charges against the defendants did not establish that every person participated in the same transactions or engaged in identical conduct.
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Tapscott Sentenced to Jail and Probation
Tapscott pleaded guilty on February 19, 2026, to 40 criminal counts arising from the investigation.
According to reporting based on statements from special prosecutor Callanan, the convictions included offenses involving criminal sale and possession of controlled substances, official misconduct and petit larceny.
On May 28, 2026, Ontario County Judge Frederick Reed sentenced Tapscott to:
- 16 weekends in jail
- Five years of probation
Tapscott’s sentence followed his guilty pleas and resolved the criminal charges addressed in those proceedings.
His law enforcement certification was also revoked, according to subsequent reporting.
Former Officer Nathan Jacon Also Pleaded Guilty
Nathan Jacon, another former Geneva police officer charged in connection with the investigation, pleaded guilty in May 2026 to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
According to Callanan, Jacon received a conditional discharge requiring him to execute police decertification paperwork.
Jacon had resigned from the Geneva Police Department on August 15, 2025, after previously being placed on administrative leave.
His guilty plea resulted in the loss of his authority to serve as a certified police officer in New York State.
Both Jacon and Felice received conditional discharges, while Tapscott received a sentence involving jail confinement and probation.
Criminal Case Against William McGowan
William McGowan, another individual identified in the investigation, was charged with tampering with physical evidence.
McGowan was included in the group of defendants whose indictments were announced in October 2025.
As of the latest publicly available reporting reviewed for this article, dated October 20, 2026, McGowan’s case remained pending.
No verified guilty plea, conviction or sentencing outcome for McGowan was identified in the reporting reviewed.
The charge against McGowan remains an allegation unless established through a guilty plea or conviction. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Geneva Police Department Response
Following Tapscott’s sentencing in May 2026, Geneva Police Chief Ron Eveland issued a statement addressing the department’s response to the investigation.
According to WHAM, Eveland said the department acted promptly after learning of the allegations and cooperated with investigators and prosecutors.
The chief also stated that the department intended to continue working to maintain community trust.
The department’s response occurred while separate criminal proceedings involving Felice and McGowan were still unresolved.
Felice’s subsequent retirement and guilty plea represent additional developments since that statement.
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Current Status of the Investigation
As of October 27, 2026, the publicly reported outcomes are:
- David Felice: Pleaded guilty October 1, 2026, to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and required to forfeit police certification. Retired September 28, 2026.
- Michael Tapscott: Pleaded guilty to 40 criminal counts. Sentenced May 28, 2026, to 16 weekends in jail and five years of probation.
- Nathan Jacon: Pleaded guilty to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in May 2026. Received a conditional discharge and was required to complete decertification paperwork.
- William McGowan: Charged with tampering with physical evidence. His case was reported as pending as of October 20, 2026. No subsequent verified disposition was identified.
The reported case outcomes involve three former Geneva police personnel who entered guilty pleas and a fourth individual whose criminal proceedings had not been publicly resolved in the reporting reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What crime did former Geneva Police Sergeant David Felice plead guilty to?
Felice pleaded guilty to seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance on October 1, 2026.
Was David Felice sentenced to jail?
No. Felice received a one-year conditional discharge, which permits him to avoid incarceration if he complies with the court’s conditions.
Can David Felice continue working as a police officer?
His guilty plea requires the forfeiture of his New York State police certification. He also retired from the Geneva Police Department on September 28, 2026.
What happened to former officer Michael Tapscott?
Tapscott pleaded guilty to 40 criminal counts and was sentenced to 16 weekends in jail and five years of probation.
Were other Geneva police officers involved in the investigation?
Yes. Former officer Nathan Jacon also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance and received a conditional discharge requiring police decertification.
Has William McGowan been convicted?
No conviction was established by the public reporting reviewed. His case was reported as pending on October 20, 2026.
Sources and Reporting
This article is based on publicly reported statements from special prosecutor Christine Callanan, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, Geneva Police Department officials and published court coverage.
- FingerLakes1 — Former Geneva Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty, October 20, 2026
- Finger Lakes Daily News — Felice Retirement Confirmed, October 21, 2026
- 13WHAM — Michael Tapscott Sentencing, May 28, 2026
- 13WHAM — Nathan Jacon Guilty Plea, May 15, 2026
Cop Talk TRUTH will continue reporting verified developments involving the Geneva Police Department investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.
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