Overview

• Thomas Mascia, 27, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, falsely reporting an incident, and official misconduct in a Nassau County court.
• Mascia admitted to shooting himself in a park and staging a crime scene on the Southern State Parkway to gain attention and sympathy.
• The fabricated incident prompted a three-day, multi-agency manhunt and cost law enforcement approximately $289,000 in overtime expenses.
• As part of his plea deal, Mascia will serve six months in jail, followed by five years of probation with mandatory mental health treatment.
• Mascia’s parents also pleaded guilty to firearms charges after an illegal weapon was found in their home; all three will be sentenced on August 20, 2025.