Macomb Sheriff's Deputy Charged With Fixing Woman's Breathalyzer Tests

A Macomb County Sheriff's deputy was charged in an alleged scheme to fix an adult entertainment club employee's alcohol screening tests, according to the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

The deputy, Joseph Cada, 45 of Chesterfield Township, and Trista Caswell, 28 of New Baltimore, face one charge of obstruction of justice—a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment. The charges are the result of an investigation by the FBI-led Detroit Public Corruption Task Force and the Novi Police Department, Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a Wednesday news release.

"The public's faith in our criminal justice system depends upon the integrity of those sworn to uphold it," Schuette stated. "When you abuse the public trust, there are consequences."  

Cada surrendered to authorities Wednesday and was arraigned soon after. He was released on a $10,000 personal bond. Authorities say arrangements are underway for Caswell to surrender for arraignment as well.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham told The Macomb Daily that Cada's alleged actions were a disappointment and the 24-year department veteran was suspended without pay in late December as charges came to light.

"He will be dealt with by the criminal justice system," Wickersham told the newspaper.

Investigation reveals fixed alcohol tests

According to the Attorney General's Office, Caswell was ordered March 24, 2011, in Novi's 52-1 District Court to take in-home alcohol Breathalyzer tests as a condition of probation for a disorderly person charge.

"After missing multiple breathalyzer tests and failing one, it is alleged Caswell met Cada at her place of employment, the Traffic Light, an adult entertainment establishment in Mt. Clemens, to concoct a scheme to avoid future tests," the office states in a new release.

Cada and Caswell are accused of conspiring to mislead the court and its probation agents by filing fraudulent statements showing Caswell passed five breathalyzer tests he administered. 

"Five fraudulent statements bearing the insignia of the Macomb County Sheriff Department were allegedly drafted and signed by Cada. Three of the fraudulent statements listed his badge number on them," the office states.

The statements declared Cada administered the court-ordered breathalyzer tests and Caswell blew a .000 on all of them—meaning she was in compliance with her probation terms. Authorities say the statements were submitted to the court's probation agent Oct. 24, 2012. 

But, when Caswell was called before District Court Judge Robert Bondy Nov. 6, 2012, she admitted Cada's statements were fraudulent. Bondy sentenced Caswell to 90 days in the Oakland County Jail for violating the conditions of her parole.