WestChesterBuzz.com

Sheila McLaughlin reports

Wiping his eyes with a white handkerchief, a former West Chester Township police officer stood before a Butler County judge Thursday and described how his work as an undercover agent sucked him into a seedy lifestyle of drugs and bad choices.

Former West Chester police officer David Busemeyer was sentenced to six months in jail after being accused of tipping off a drug dealer to an undercover bust. Photo taken March 8, 2012, by Tony Jones.

Now, David Busemeyer will spend the next six months in jail for breaking the law.

Busemeyer, 38, of Hamilton Township in Warren County, was accused of tipping off a drug dealer to an undercover investigation and exposing the identity of a confidential informant. Married and now with a second child on the way, Busemeyer was having an affair with the drug dealer’s sister at the time.

He pleaded guilty in January to felony charges of attempted tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. He quit his job the same day. A charge of obstructing justice was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

“I lost my identity and became someone else,” Busemeyer said Thursday. “This is the fault of nobody but my own. My thought process during that time also became warped and convoluted due to my own drug addiction. I was taking steroids for over four years and the last nine months daily as a police officer. I began to think that illegal drug abuse of any kind was OK.

“At that point I was too bitter, too addicted, too arrogant to think anything I did was wrong. But I was wrong,” he said.

Busemeyer said he contemplated suicide the night before he was to be questioned by members of his own police force about the crimes he had committed. (more…)

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, Judge Keith Spaeth, West Chester crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

A former West Chester police officer who pleaded guilty to two felony charges in a case where he was accused of alerting a drug dealer to an undercover bust is scheduled to be sentenced around 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Butler County Common Pleas Court.

Former West Chester police officer David Busemeyer plead guilty to two felony charges in a case where he was accused of tipping off a drug dealer to an undercover investigation. Photo of his appearance in court in January. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

David Busemeyer admitted to attempted tampering with evidence and obstructing official business in late January. In exchange for his plea, a charge of obstructing justice was dismissed.

After the plea, Busemeyer resigned from his job as a West Chester police officer. Busemeyer held that job since August 2002 and had been on suspension without pay and benefits since he was indicted in November.

According to an earlier report by The Enquirer’s Janice Morse, Busemeyer faces a maximum prison term of two and a half years, but could be granted probation at Thursday’s sentencing.

• Story: Busemeyer misses plea agreement deadline, case goes to trial
• Story: Busemeyer’s request for drug treatment denied again
• Details from the court documents filed by Butler County prosecutors

In court, Busemeyer, who claimed to be addicted to steroids and painkillers, requested to complete a court-ordered drug treatment program in exchange of a felony conviction.

After being turned down, Busemeyer requested to be entered in the program a second time – this time to avoid a potential prison sentence.

Each time Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Keith Spaeth turned down the request.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, Judge Keith Spaeth, West Chester crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday morning. (Stories are listed in order of date)

Lakota preschool program could be merged: During last Monday’s school board meeting, Lakota officials discussed merging its preschool program with county programs. The proposed joint venture with Butler County Educational Service Center (ESC) would save about $1.2 million of the target $9 million in savings Lakota officials have said is needed for next school year. The merger would affect 288 preschool students and would eliminate 17 classroom jobs for the 2012-2013 school year.

AK Steel executive to retire: Last Monday, West Chester based AK Steel announced that its long-time spokesman Alan H. McCoy, vice president, government and public relations, has elected to retire effective January 31. McCoy was named general manager, public relations for AK Steel in 1994. He is currently a director of the Ohio Steel Council and also serves as a trustee of Ursuline Academy.

West Chester’s IKEA activates solar energy system: The IKEA in West Chester is now powering its lights, operating its cash registers and cooking its Swedish meatballs using a solar energy system that is located on the store’s rooftop. Heather Spatz, West Chester’s IKEA store manager, officially announced the activation of the solar energy system last Tuesday. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of clean electricity produced by 4,186 solar panels atop the IKEA building is equivalent to eliminating the yearly emissions of 180 passenger cars.

Road projects to affect Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Ohio 129 and U.S. 42: Last Tuesday, The Butler County Engineer’s Office announced that it is planning to improve Cincinnati-Dayton Road at the Ohio 129 interchange in Liberty Township. The project, which is slated for construction in 2014, is currently in the preliminary engineering phase with environmental studies and early design plans under way. The $2.5 million project is geared to improving traffic safety and flow in the area. Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced last Tuesday that culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2.

Lakota West falls to Fairfield in battle for 2nd in GMC: After handing Middletown its first conference loss Jan. 20, Lakota West hosted Fairfield last Tuesday in a basketball game between two programs tied for second place in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds jumped out to an early lead, but fell behind and eventually lost 70-59. Lakota West did rebound with a win last Friday when it defeated Colerain by the score 77-71 in overtime. The Firebirds are currently in a three-way tie for third in the GMC.

West Chester cop David Busemeyer pleads guilty to felonies, quits job: A police officer pleaded guilty to two felony charges, then resigned from his job last Wednesday. David Busemeyer, who was accused of alerting a drug dealer to an undercover bust, admitted to attempted tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. In exchange for his plea in Butler County Common Pleas Court, a charge of obstructing justice was dismissed. Busemeyer also was accused of revealing the identity of a confidential informant in the case. After the plea, Busemeyer tendered his resignation from the job he had held since August 2002. He faces a maximum prison term of two and a half years, but could be granted probation at sentencing March 8.

Two killed in West Chester crash: Police found two people dead Saturday morning in a car that crashed into two parked semi tractor-trailers at a distribution warehouse at 9842 International Blvd. Police determined that the victims were traveling northbound on International Boulevard in a Honda Civic when it veered off the road, passed through a parking lot, hit two trees, encountered a berm and became airborne. When the car landed, it went under one tractor-trailer, sheering off the car’s top. The car then became wedged under a second tractor-trailer. The names of the victims have not been released.

Posted in: Board of Education, Crime, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Traffic, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel West Chester, Alan H. McCoy, Alan McCoy, Barbara Wilson, Butler County Engineer’s Office, Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Cincinnati-Dayton Road Liberty Township, Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, David Busemeyer, IKEA, IKEA Cincinnati, IKEA photos, IKEA solar photos, IKEA solar power, IKEA solar power Cincinnati, IKEA solar power West Chester, IKEA West Chester, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Last week in West Chester, Liberty Township construction, Ohio 129, Ohio 129 Liberty Township, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester accident, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Janice Morse reports:

A police officer pleaded guilty to two felony charges, then resigned from his job Wednesday.

David Busemeyer, who was accused of alerting a drug dealer to an undercover bust, admitted to attempted tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. In exchange for his plea in Butler County Common Pleas Court, a charge of obstructing justice was dismissed.

Busemeyer also was accused of revealing the identity of a confidential informant in the case.

After the plea, Busemeyer tendered his resignation from the job he had held since August 2002, said Police Chief Erik Niehaus. Busemeyer, 37, had been on suspension without pay and without benefits since his indictment in November.

• Story: Busemeyer misses plea agreement deadline, case goes to trial
• Story: Busemeyer’s request for drug treatment denied again
• Details from the court documents filed by Butler County prosecutors

Busemeyer faces a maximum prison term of two and a half years, but could be granted probation at sentencing, which Judge Keith Spaeth set for March 8.

Twice before, Spaeth had turned down Busemeyer’s request to complete a court-ordered treatment program for substance abuse instead of facing possible prison time. Busemeyer has said he was addicted to steroids and painkillers.

After court, Niehaus commended Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser and West Chester investigators for their role in the case.

The chief declined further comment, but a news release said: “West Chester Township and its employees uphold the highest standards of professional integrity. Deviations from this standard are not tolerated.”

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Attorney Richard Skelton, Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, Judge Keith Spaeth, West Chester crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

Information gathered from The Enquirer’s Sheila McLaughlin:

The case of a West Chester Township police officer accused of tipping off a drug dealer about an undercover bust is going to trial Jan. 30.

The Butler County Prosecutor’s Office alerted The Enquirer’s Sheila McLaughlin that David Busemeyer had missed a plea agreement deadline late Thursday night. Neither Busemeyer’s lawyer Richard Skelton nor County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser would provide details of the proposal.

Busemeyer, 37, of Hamilton Township in Warren County, was indicted in October on charges of attempted tampering with evidence, obstructing official business and obstructing justice.

• Details from the court document filed by Butler County prosecutors

Court records indicate that the drug dealer involved was the brother of Busemeyer’s former mistress. Besides tipping off the drug dealer, Busemeyer is accused to revealing the identity of a confidential informant in the case.

Busemeyer remains free on his promise to return to future court hearings but was suspended from his township job without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.

This week, Busemeyer, who has claimed to be addicted to steroids and painkillers, appeared before Judge Keith Spaeth in common pleas court and requested to receive drug treatment instead of having a felony conviction on his record.

It was the second attempt by Busemeyer to avoid a potential 3½-year prison sentence. His proposal, however, was denied.

If the judge had agreed, Busemeyer had a chance to complete court-ordered substance abuse treatment and comply with other conditions in exchange for having his record wiped clean.

Judge Spaeth didn’t give a reason for his decision.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Attorney Richard Skelton, Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, Judge Keith Spaeth, West Chester crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sheila McLaughlin reports:

A West Chester Township police officer accused of tipping off a drug dealer about an undercover bust wants to receive drug treatment instead of having a felony conviction on his record.

But a Butler County judge on Wednesday denied the proposal — again.

David Busemeyer, who has claimed to be addicted to steroids and painkillers, appeared before Judge Keith Spaeth in common pleas court for a second shot at possibly avoiding a potential 3½-year prison sentence.

If the judge had agreed, Busemeyer had a chance to complete court-ordered substance abuse treatment and comply with other conditions in exchange for having his record wiped clean.

Spaeth didn’t give a reason for his decision. He doesn’t have to by law.

It appears the case will go to trial on Jan. 30.

“It does not appear this case is going to be resolved short of a trial,” Spaeth said.

Busemeyer didn’t say anything in court and his lawyer Richard Skelton declined comment after the hearing.

Skelton said in mid-December that prosecutors had offered Busemeyer a plea agreement. Neither Skelton nor County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser would provide details of the proposal.

Busemeyer, 37, of Hamilton Township in Warren County, was indicted in October on charges of attempted tampering with evidence, obstructing official business and obstructing justice.

Court records indicate that the drug dealer involved was the brother of Busemeyer’s former mistress. Besides tipping off the drug dealer, Busemeyer is accused to revealing the identity of a confidential informant in the case.

Busemeyer remains free on his promise to return to future court hearings but was suspended from his township job without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Attorney Richard Skelton, Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, Judge Keith Spaeth, West Chester crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

A West Chester police officer accused of disclosing the identity of an informant to a suspected drug dealer goes to trial Jan. 30, unless he accepts a plea agreement first.

A lawyer for David Busemeyer told Judge Keith Spaeth Tuesday that prosecutors had just offered his client a plea agreement that morning. Attorney Richard Skelton asked for more time before a trial date was set.

Spaeth set the January trial date anyway.

Details of the plea agreement are typically kept secret. Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser declined comment.

Busemeyer, 37, of Hamilton Township in Warren County, was indicted in October on charges of attempted tampering with evidence, obstructing official business and obstructing justice.

The charges carry a maximum prison term of 3½ years.

The nine-year veteran police officer has pleaded not guilty and remains free on his promise to return for future court hearings.

According to court records, the alleged drug dealer involved is the brother of Busemeyer’s former mistress. Authorities contend that Busemeyer also exposed the identity of a confidential informant in the case.

Busemeyer, who was suspended without pay, told his superiors that he had been addicted to steroids and pain killers for three or four years, court documents show.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Attorney Richard Skelton, Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, Judge Keith Spaeth, West Chester crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

A suspended officer accused of disclosing the identity of an informant to a suspected drug dealer told detectives that he was having an extramarital affair with the dealer’s sister and had been addicted to steroids and painkillers for three or four years, according to a report from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Below is the report from the Enquirer:

Those are some of the details included in a 209-page court document that Butler County prosecutors filed involving evidence against West Chester Officer David Busemeyer.

Busemeyer, 37, of Hamilton Township in Warren County, was indicted last month on charges of attempted tampering with evidence, obstructing official business and obstructing justice.

He is free on his promise to return to Butler County Common Pleas Court. The next hearing is scheduled Dec. 13, when Busemeyer, who was recently suspended from the police force without pay, will either plead or the judge will set a trial date.

According to court records obtained by The Enquirer, Busemeyer was confronted by his superiors Sept. 30 after a Woodlawn police officer advised that one of his female informants had expressed concern that her sister was being harassed by a West Chester officer she was dating.

A search of the sister’s cell phone records pointed to Busemeyer. Both women were sisters of the alleged drug dealer.

By that time, a frantic informant had contacted police to report that he thought his cover was blown and that a police officer was implicated, records show.

Busemeyer eventually confessed to detectives that he contacted the girlfriend and told her to warn her brother to “watch his back” because he was the focus of an undercover drug investigation, according to the court documents. (more…)

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer was suspended without pay and benefits, effective Oct. 31, 2011, following his arraignment in Butler County Court of Common Pleas.

Busemeyer, 37, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of obstruction of official business, obstruction of justice and attempted tampering with evidence.

In early October, the nine-year veteran police officer was placed an administrative leave with pay and was stripped of his police powers in early October. On Oct. 13, Busemeyer was indicted for allegedly releasing information about an undercover investigation.

Busemeyer is now free on his promise to return to court. He is due back in Butler County Common Pleas Nov. 10 for a hearing to set a trial date or accept a guilty plea on the charges.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer

A Butler County grand jury on Thursday indicted a West Chester police officer, a nine-year veteran of the department, on three felony charges, according to Cincinnati.com.

Officer David Busemeyer, 37, faces charges of obstruction of official business, obstruction of justice and attempted tampering with evidence.

He was placed an administrative leave with pay but was stripped of his police powers about a week ago.

West Chester Lt. Col. David Kelly said Busemeyer has been under investigation by the police department and the Butler County prosecutor’s office for the past month.

Kelly declined to give any details of the indictment, saying the case is still under investigation.

To follow this story, visit Cincinnati.com.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Prosecutor, crime, David Busemeyer, David Kelly, West Chester Lt. Col. David Kelly, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer