In a high-profile case in Southern Nevada, former Nye County Sheriff's Captain David E. Boruchowitz pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations and wire fraud. He was accused of arresting Angela Evans, CEO of Valley Electric Association, without cause and trying to secure a spot on the cooperative’s board.
Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami highlighted the weight of the breach of trust involved. "It is the duty of all law enforcement to protect and serve the community," Fahami said. "Instead, the defendant violated his oath and abused his power." This sentiment was echoed by Spencer L. Evans, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Las Vegas Division, who emphasized that no individual is above the law, particularly those who misuse their governmental power, as per the Department of Justice.
Court documents revealed that Boruchowitz, while acting under the color of law, arrested Evans on embezzlement charges on February 26, 2019, despite lacking the necessary probable cause. This act not only infringed upon Evans's Fourth Amendment rights but also played a part in Boruchowitz's scheming pursuit of power within the VEA. He admitted in court that his actions were intended to displace a sitting member of the Board of Directors.
As part of his scheme, Boruchowitz misused the Nye County Sheriff's Office's official social media channel. According to a press release on the Department of Justice website, he posted a release announcing Evans's arrest on Facebook, knowing it would influence the board. Boruchowitz is looking at a maximum statutory penalty of 21 years of imprisonment, with sentencing set for June 10. The ultimate decision on any sentence will be determined by Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
