Crime & Safety

'Dirty' Drug Cop Gets 14 Years For Stealing Drugs

by Emily Henry

A federal judge wrapped up a police corruption case Monday by sentencing the former commander of the Contra Costa County drug task force to 14 years in prison.

Norman Wielsch, a 51-year-old Antioch resident with 25 years in law enforcement, pleaded guilty to a drug stealing and dealing scheme that also involved Concord-based private eye, Christopher Butler. Butler was sentenced back in December to eight years in federal prison for drug offenses, conspiracy, extortion and illegal wiretapping. Both Wielsch and Butler initially plead "not guilty" when charged in February of 2011, later changing their pleas.
The so-called "Dirty DUI" scheme involved stealing drugs from law enforcement evidence lockers and selling them for cash. Butler also admitted to conspiring with Wielsch to stage illegal search-and-seizure operations of prostitutes the drug team commander found via online ads on websites such as Craigslist.com and Redbook.com.

Wielsch's attorney argued for home detention instead of a prison sentence, arguing that depression and a degenerative muscular disease caused Wielsch to commit the crimes.

Wielsch cried during the sentencing hearing Monday, according to media reports, and told the courtroom he was ashamed about his behavior.


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