WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A former West Chester Twp. police officer has admitted she tampered with evidence in a death investigation, according to court records.
Michelle Berling, 46, was indicted in October on two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of tampering with records, all third-degree felonies and unauthorized use of property, a fifth-degree felony.
According to the grand jury report, the crimes, investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, occurred between Aug. 8 and Aug. 13.
Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said Berling altered Flock camera data and images involving the death investigation of a woman in June on Schumacher Park Drive.
Berling also misused the department’s Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG) to gather information for personal use, Gmoser said.
On Tuesday, Berling pleaded guilty to one tampering charge, a third-degree felony, and the others were dismissed in exchange for the plea.
Butler County Common Pleas Judge Kelly Heile set sentencing for Feb. 24. Berling faces a maximum of 36 months in prison. She remains free on her own recognizance.
“She panicked and did the wrong thing for self preservation purposes. It potentially hurt an investigation, we will never know for sure,” Gmoser said. “That is the charge I would not reduce (or dismiss).”
Berling was placed on paid administrative leave and was suspended of all police duties in August when the investigation began, according to the township. She later resigned.
The Journal-News is a media partner of WCPO.com.
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