In a startling development, a Dunmore police sergeant was discovered unconscious at his desk after consuming cocaine taken from an evidence room. This incident, which occurred two hours post his Thanksgiving Day shift, has sparked an investigation into potential impacts on other cases.
Sergeant Stephon D. Burgette, 40, confessed to Lackawanna County detectives that he had been using cocaine for several months due to “family problems.” According to the affidavit by detectives Chris Kolcharno and Michelle Mancuso, Burgette admitted to taking cocaine from the evidence room over a three-month period.
The affidavit specifies one particular case affected by Burgette’s actions, though District Attorney Brian Gallagher anticipates more may be implicated. “We’re doing a complete inventory of every case in the Dunmore evidence room to ensure there are no other cases,” Gallagher stated. He emphasized the legal and ethical duty to inform defense lawyers of Burgette’s investigation, which could affect the credibility of cases he was involved in.
Efforts to contact Dunmore Police Chief Sal Marchese were unsuccessful, and Burgette’s attorney, Robert J. Munley, declined to comment.
Burgette surrendered on charges of intentional possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, and obstructing law administration. He was released on $20,000 unsecured bail and placed on unpaid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the case.
Mayor Max Conway reaffirmed the borough’s commitment to public trust and police integrity, stating, “The borough remains committed to maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of its police operations.” Burgette, who joined the force on August 10, 2015, earned an annual salary of $83,851.98.
The incident was reported when Burgette’s partner contacted the police at 12:45 a.m. on November 28, concerned about his absence since his shift ended at 10:30 p.m. Upon investigation, officers found Burgette slumped over his desk, unresponsive to attempts to revive him using a “sternum rub.”
Despite Burgette’s refusal of medical treatment, paramedics identified symptoms suggesting opioid ingestion, and a brown unsealed evidence bag was found in his office. Officers insisted on hospital treatment due to his incoherence and complaints of back pain.
At Geisinger Community Medical Center, a blood test confirmed ingestion of cocaine and fentanyl on November 27 and 28. The evidence bag in Burgette’s office, collected on November 3, was missing 6.3 grams of cocaine, which was supposed to be part of its contents.
District Attorney Gallagher expressed his disappointment, stating, “This incident is really sad. I have (had) a lot of respect and a good friendship in law enforcement for years with Stephon. Always thought the world of him … Unfortunately, he kind of went down the wrong path. So has to be held accountable like everybody else, and I feel bad that this happened, but really disappointed and shocked. I was taken aback by it, to be honest with you.”
