Milan sergeant says bathroom firecracker prank was 'horseplay'
The Milan police officer facing a criminal charge for possessing an illegal firework told investigators he set off the device outside an occupied restroom in the police station as retribution in an act of horseplay.
Sgt. Tim Casey told a detective with the Michigan State Police Monroe Post the Dec. 5 incident was a deliberate response to another officer’s refusal to stop using the bathroom closest to his office, a police report said.
Casey, 45, told Officer Tory Terrill not to use the bathroom shortly after 11 p.m. on an otherwise relatively quiet night.
As Terrill proceeded, Casey grabbed a firework from a desk drawer, lit it and tried to shove it under the closed bathroom door. Casey, a 16-year employee of the department, has since been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation and criminal probe are under way.
A Milan police sergeant is facing a criminal charge after a prank in the police station in December.
Art Aisner | For AnnArbor.com
Last week, Monroe County prosecutors charged Casey with one count of possessing illegal fireworks, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail. He is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Monroe District Court on Feb. 8.
Casey, of Chelsea, voluntarily spoke with State Police Detective Sgt. David Meyer after conferring with an attorney from the Police Officer’s Labor Council, reports said.
Casey said he believes the firework was merely a “whistler” and didn’t realize it was a firecracker until it blew up, the report said. He said the wick burnt quickly and startled him.
Casey said the fireworks were located in the desk drawer of the office he inherited when he became sergeant in 2004. He said he remembered lighting two of those fireworks in 2004 near the department garage and was certain they were both “whistlers,” which is why he assumed the firework he grabbed last month was the same, reports said.
No one was injured, and no serious damage occurred.
But the implications for Casey’s career are severe, said his attorney, Mike Vincent, who believes the matter should have been handled internally.
“This could really hurt him, professionally and personally, which is really unfortunate,” Vincent said.
Seeing is believing
A video recording captured by a department surveillance camera showed Casey crouch to the floor and toss the sparkling device down the hallway after he was unable to get it under the door, Meyer’s report states.
He then stood up and plugged his ears as it exploded. Casey walked out of view and returned about a minute later with a broom and dustpan to clean the debris.
Casey said Terrill screamed and remarked how loud the noise was, reports said. Casey admitted to Terrill he didn’t expect it to go off like that.
Milan Police Chief Jeff Lewis told Meyer enough of the firework debris was left behind for him to become suspicious when he arrived to work the following morning, reports said.
Lewis said he checked the video recording from the previous day and saw the incident. He told Meyer he retrieved some of the debris from a garbage can in the janitor’s closet, and found some firecrackers in Casey’s desk drawer.
When Lewis asked Christopher Slay, the city’s information technology director, about obtaining copies of the video, he was told a police dispatcher called Slay’s cell phone at about 11:30 p.m. the night it occurred with questions about the recording system.
Slay told Meyer the dispatcher said the in-house video system was stuck in playback mode, and he needed help restoring the live feed to multiple screens.
The dispatcher, Seneca Edwards, told Meyer that after hearing the “pop” of the firecracker, he tried to zoom in on the hallway surveillance camera, but instead accidentally hit the playback button.
Casey denied touching the video equipment and said only the chief and city’s information technology director could access the system, Meyer’s report states.
A probationary officer on duty that night told the investigator he didn’t see anyone tampering with video equipment.
He said he heard Casey laughing after the explosion and heard Terrill say “it was funny the first time,” reports said.
Swift action
Casey was placed on paid administrative leave after Lewis conferred with city leaders.
Meyer’s report indicates Lewis and the city requested full prosecution for a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Vincent, a retired Ypsilanti police officer, said he was astounded they would seek such a significant charge that requires use of a harmful substance and intent to injure.
Vincent would not discuss evidence, but said he wouldn’t rule out the notion that Casey is being targeted.
“We’re surprised and concerned about the charges, and I’m trying to investigate and figure out what’s behind this,” Vincent said at his Ypsilanti office Friday. “As a retired police officer, I know first-hand the release valve that horseplay and pranks can have for officers. And they go on all the time.”
Lewis declined to answer questions about the report while the investigations are pending. He deferred any comment to city administrators.
Mayor Kym Muckler said the state police were called to investigate per the city’s standard procedure when a city employee in any department is accused of wrongdoing while on duty.
Suggestions that the administration’s decision was personal are unfortunate and baseless, she said.
“I don’t even know him,” Muckler said. “He did this . . . there needs to be some accountability and that’s not what happened.”
Art Aisner is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Chrissy Castro
Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
All the people with opinions should keep them to yourself!! I live in Milan and have for many years. My husband and other family members have lived in this town their whole lives! Sergeant Casey is a very good police officer and a good man!! We are lucky to have such wonderful civil servants and the whole thing is being blown way out of porportion! If you lived here you would know who the bad cops are and this one is one of the good ones!!!
ethics
Sun, Jan 31, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
To all the SAME people who continue to voice their concerns here, nothing is going to change until the investigation is over. To all those who complained about it being put in as felony, that is not unheard of to begin the process. It's been lowered to a misdemeanor now. Stop bringing the felony charge up. I expect he probably will not go to court. I expect he will at most get demoted. Let me remind you... If you light off a firecracker in a building of Washtenaw County's largest employer (UM) you will be fired. Plain and simple. He may be lucky. Settle down and do something more constructive. Like, be happy that you are employed, working hard, and not screwing around. This will run it's course.
jimmy smith
Sat, Jan 30, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.
Sounds like Sgt Casey can dish it out but can not take it when its his turn. Every criminal has an excuse when they commit a crime. Do us all a favor go to court take your punishment and get on with your life. Maybe you can get a job shooting of fireworks 4th of July.
Alena
Wed, Jan 27, 2010 : 1:49 a.m.
I was a joke... lighten up. Milan is full of FIRECRACKERS..;) I dont really understand all the people that think he should be convicted of these charges remain "UNKNOWN" why??? We are in America right? What happened to freedom of speech?? I am proud of who I am, and what I stand up for and who I stand up for.. One of those things is Sgt.Casey!! :)
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 : 11:21 p.m.
w0w - now i can say (without fear of cancellation) that milan not only has a real firecracker for a police chief... but a mayor as well!
Summit
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
I think a call to Home Land Security and the ATF is in order. should be easy, there over at the prison interviewing the chrismas bomber. They really need to get a life and move on.
John Doe
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 : 11:55 a.m.
I'm happy that the police officers are being held accountable for thier actions. The police and fireman move around this town and act like they own it. They are invincible, or so they think. I'm happy to hear that MSP is taking over. The MSP should look deeper into other things that happen in this town. If an internal investigation took place, it would be swept under the rug like most things that the police and fireman do here. Its who you are that determines what you get away with here. That's not right. It's time that these larger than life men and/or women are brought back down to reality.
et-tu-brute
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 : 11:19 a.m.
I agree with many here. It was not very smart, but it was a simple harmless prank. Something that goes on in every business everday. Lighten up people.
FreedomLover
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 : 1:33 a.m.
Wow! Have we lost all sense of humor these days? This was probably not one of the smartest things this officer could have done but does it warrant all of this attention. In most sane worlds there would be a verbal reprimand from the supervisor and life would go on. I'm sure glad these "do gooders" weren't witness to some of the pranks we pulled in the military.
Dave66
Tue, Jan 26, 2010 : 12:18 a.m.
I'm glad to see that public resources are being spent so efficiently. Sure, "investigate" a couple of guys screwing around with a firecracker. I'm just glad there's no REAL crime going on, otherwise spending public resources on something this stupid would be the actual crime. Whoever ordered the investigation needs to be fired. That guy and everyone else up and down the chain of command who approved of it or participated in it. Everyone involved in the investigation needs to be fired, but the guy with the firecracker should just go back to work.
ethics
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 11:05 p.m.
I'm waiting for all the closet detectives... "He then stood up and plugged his ears as it exploded." I guess I would do that also if I thought it was a "whistler". (smile) Interesting stuff revolving around calls that night about the video system. (smile wider) Fact? UM is the largest employer in Washtenaw County. If a staff member lights a firecracker off in a university building - fired. I'm sure many of us don't want anything to happen to someone who has dedicated his life to public safety. I admire police and fire personnel. I just a little confused why someone in charge (that night) would risk losing his job?
voiceofreason
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 10:58 p.m.
Oh the insanity! How could he do such a thing! This is the end of the world!
Kak
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 9:34 p.m.
I think it is horrible that they are prosecuting Sgt. Casey for this. Casey is a good guy and everyone who has a normal sense of humor has played a joke on someone at work. Good for Casey for being able to play a joke at work to releive some stress from a very stressful job! If you haven't played a joke on someone at work then I am sorry your life is so boring and horrible! Everyone better look out because we can all be prosecuted for anything they want to prosecute us for. These days they don't even need evidence to prosecute you!
John Hritz
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 6:16 p.m.
Not clear whether it was horseplay, hazing or harassment. Haven't heard from the other side of the bathroom door. At least directly...
Lokalisierung
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.
Read the wrapper already...investigative work.
firecracker
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 5:03 p.m.
@Lokalisierung, "a noisemaker" is one that makes noise...
Lokalisierung
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 4:25 p.m.
"that contained other confiscated fireworks and believed it was only a noisemaker" Ok now we need to know what's going on here. Fiorst it was a firecracker, then it was a bottle rocket, then he just thought it was a noisemaker? What's a noisemaker?
liekkio
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 4:11 p.m.
"Also we dont know that this was "confiscated property" Not according to the previous article: "Casey claimed he retrieved the firework from a desk drawer that contained other confiscated fireworks and believed it was only a noisemaker" http://www.annarbor.com/news/milan-police-sergeant-suspended-criminally-charged-in-bathroom-fireworks-prank/
Wolverine3660
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 3:54 p.m.
Looks like the cop haters are out in force on this thread today.
tlmackk
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.
I find it humerous that people are mentioning how the "good ole" boys in Milan don't have anything else to do. Well I find that comforting in light of the relatively new (since the building of the "taj mahal" homeless shelter) wave of violence in Ann Arbor!! I'll take Milan any day! As far as the cops go, just a silly prank and nothing else. What? We can't joke around with each other anymore? Are we becoming a bunch of obama drones, or is it lemmings?
Come On
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 3:44 p.m.
A "pear size motar firework" is not the same as a single firecracker. A firecracker as used by the Sgt in this case is not even illegal in other states such as Ohio. Even Michigan sells certain class fireworks that look just like firecrackers. Also we dont know that this was "confiscated property", it could have been found property. Was this the Sgt's privately locked desk, or one shared by others? The punishment should match the offense and could have been handled internally.
Lokalisierung
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.
Oh wait I apologize. The original article claimed it was a fire cracker but this seems to say it was a bottle rocket which is also a projectile. Not nearly as big but full disclosure.
Lokalisierung
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
That charge is too harsh for sure, but I must bring up the difference between a morter round in that case, and a firework in this cause. Obvious size and load differences aside one is a projectile and one isn't. One was used in a moving vihicle and one wasn't. Way too harsh an offense though.
liekkio
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 3:20 p.m.
So criminal prosecution is unwarranted because the misdeed was done by a "16 year veteran employee" and it qualifies as "horseplay". Interestingly enough, in other cases a similar misdeed (noise, no damages) results in felony explosive charges: http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/four_msu_students_arrested_on_felony_explosives_charges Oh, wait. There was no excuse of having fun at work or the fireworks being confiscated property... That certainly explains the double standard.
Come On
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 2:57 p.m.
I wonder what kind of pranks the chief did back in his days?. Perhaps someone should check into that. To suggest that this incident should be investigated as a felony is just STUPID. I cant believe the Monroe Co. Pros. Office found this worthy of tax payers dollars for prosecution. Sure disciplinary action is warranted but criminal prosecution & destruction of a 16 year veteran employee's career is NOT. Come on People, get real!!!
Freemind42
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.
it was a firecracker. move along people, nothing to see here.
treetowncartel
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 2 p.m.
These fireworks shouldn't even be illegal. We lose so muc money to the states below us from people going down there to get their fireworks. Anyone who goes out around the fourth of July can see for themslves that this law is blatantly abused.Still, it might not be an appropriate activity at the workplace, saran wrap over the toilet may have done more justice.
Alena
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
Okay first of all, Casey and Terrill are friends.. They "horseplay" around all the time. Second of all this is being treated like he tried blowing the department up and ran like hell... He works there, and he has talked to everyone the "chief" has asked. While I see there is a burglary, should be being investigated... If the were so worried about our safety, as they are Sgt. Tim Casey and the one firecracker, I am sure the burglars would be in custody!!!
simplensweet03
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 1:25 p.m.
Good ol Milan, boy oh boy. There really is NOTHING for the cops to do there besides play with firecrackers. This isn't that big of a deal anyway. I'm sure he'll get probation or something easy.
GoblueBeatOSU
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 1:02 p.m.
wait...are these facts correct??.."Sgt. Tim Casey told a detective with the Michigan State Police Monroe Post the Dec. 5 incident was a deliberate response to another officers refusal to stop using the bathroom closest to his office,".... So this Casey guy believes he has the right to tell people who can and can't use a bathroom owned by the people of Milan? This suggests Casey thinks has ownership and power over public assets.....a toilet no less.....forget the firecracker stuff...there are bigger issues here...
Atlas Shrugged
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
Milan administrators, Cook 1888, Moose: GET A ******* LIFE. Accountability for a prank? The cops in Milan are serving us and doing it well. This whole episode isn't deserving of official follow-up, threats of punishment, and the like. This whole "investigation" is a waste of taxpayer time, public service time, and just about everything else relevant I can think of. It all should be a non-issue. I've been in "public service" as a firefighter many years ago. The pranks were common. So was the professionalism. In fact, the former helped us do the latter better for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it all helped us become and operate as a cohesive and trusting team.
ChrisW
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
What a waste of time and taxpayer money. Good thing there's no real crimes that need investigating. Make him clean the toilets with a toothbrush and be done with it.
sellers
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 12:27 p.m.
Come on, how many pranks are done at your office? Just because government officials are open to the public is why you see this, the same crap goes on in corporate America, they just hide it in cloak and secrecy. With that said - government officials should be mindful that the public is watching them. It was illegal so shame upon him.
ice1950
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
Not well thought out on the officer's part but use some sense here people: does City of Milan have so much money that their attorneys need to run up more bills? The Milan POA will be paying the officer's fees too. Hope AA.com puts headlines in when this is all over how uch the taxpayer has been soaked for what should have been a quiet, administrative verbal reprimand and go on from there. Mike Vinsent is right.
Lokalisierung
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
You guys must have boring, lifeless jobs. I could care less if people are having fun at work. Fire them all, you people need to relax a little.
Moose
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 12:02 p.m.
Horseplay has no business in the workplace. Particularly in public service. If someone wants to prank or play practical jokes (to build camaraderie??) let them do it away from the workplace.
cook1888
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 12:01 p.m.
These people are law officers?? They sound like juvenile delinquents. He deserves to be fired. I can't think of any place I have worked that would tolerate this and most would call the police - little do they know.....