The Associated Press
KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) - A judge decided that a former police captain will not serve jail time for stealing more than $3,500 from a drug task force after listening to dozens of his colleagues and other supporters testify on his behalf.
Michael Holsapple, 52, pleaded guilty in August to five counts of forgery and one count of theft.
With tears in his eyes, Holsapple testified Thursday that he stole the money from the county drug task Force he ran for eight years because he needed it to help pay child support and other expenses owed in his divorce.
“It was a very emotional time for me,” Holsapple, a 26-year veteran of the Kokomo Police Department said. “I never intended to take the money and keep it. I tried to replace it numerous times.”
Nineteen retired and current Kokomo police officers, a college professor, a former mayor, a bank executive and a kidnapping victim that Holsapple helped save were among those who urged Judge Lynn Murray not to give the former officer jail time.
Prosecutor James Fleming, however, asked that Holsapple serve some time.
“He’s been a tough investigator and a community leader,” Fleming said. “But how much weight should we put on the fact that he was an officer and was in a position of trust.”
After two hours of testimony, Murray sentenced Holsapple to more than five years probation.
He also must complete 150 hours of community service and pay $9,593 in restitution.
Murray said Holsapple has been punished by losing his job, his teaching career and his community standing, and he contributed much to the community.
However, she also said his actions “tarnished the reputation of the officers of this community.”
“But I don’t believe sending you to prison will reform you or repair the damage. I don’t know any sentence that could fully repair that.”
Anita Wooldridge, who was kidnapped from her Kokomo home six years ago, was one of many who urged leniency for Holsapple. Wooldridge was held captive in Wisconsin for eight days before Holsapple and other officers found her and arrested her captor.
“Michael never gave up hope I was alive,” she said.
Holsapple is the sixth Kokomo police officer in the last four years to end his career because of criminal allegations.