Former Nye County Captain Pleads Guilty To Federal Civil Rights Violation And Wire Fraud

LAS VEGAS - A former captain with the Nye County Sheriff's Office pleaded guilty today for violating the civil rights of the former CEO of Valley Electric Association (VEA), a Pahrump-based utility cooperative, and for committing wire fraud.

"It is the duty of all law enforcement to protect and serve the community," said Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada. "Instead, the defendant violated his oath and abused his power. We will continue to work with the FBI to protect the constitutional rights of all individuals and ensure that those who violate positions of public trust are held accountable for their actions."

"Law enforcement officers are granted specific powers by the government to protect the rights of the public and prevent misconduct," said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division. "When individuals in official roles betray the trust of their communities by misusing that power, they compromise the diligent efforts of all law enforcement personnel. No individual is above the law, and the FBI remains committed to investigating abuses of power under color of law as one of our paramount responsibilities."

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about February 26, 2019, David E. Boruchowitz, 44, was a Deputy Sheriff with the Nye County Sheriff's Office in Nye County, Nevada. Boruchowitz admitted that while acting under color of law in that position, he arrested Angela Evans without probable cause on charges of embezzlement under Nevada law. In making the arrest, he willfully deprived Evans of her right under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States to free of unreasonable seizure without probable cause.

Further, Boruchowitz admitted that, on or about February 26, 2019, he devised a scheme to defraud the VEA Board of Directors of a seat on the Board of Directors. As a part of the scheme, he arrested Evans without probable cause. He knew the fraud scheme would influence a member of the VEA Board of Directors to part with his or her position. As a part of the scheme, he posted a press release announcing the arrest of Evans to the Nye County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page.

Boruchowitz pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2025. The total maximum statutory penalty for all offenses is 21 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Myhre and Justin Washburne are prosecuting the case.

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