Nye County detective accused of harassing sheriff candidates

By Erin Dostal

Thursday, May 20, 2010 | 5:13 p.m.

A criminal complaint has been filed against Nye County sheriff's Detective David Boruchowitz accusing him of burglary and assault in an effort to harass candidates seeking public office.

The 25 counts filed against Boruchowitz stem from alleged actions against Scott Cobel and Ted Holmes, who were candidates for Nye County sheriff, and District Attorney Robert Beckett.

Las Vegas private attorney Conrad Claus, a special prosecutor named by Beckett, met with the news media Thursday on the steps of the Clark County Regional Justice Center to discuss the complaint.

Beckett was arrested May 5 and booked into the Nye County Detention Center on charges of malfeasance of office, embezzlement, 20 counts of fraudulent appropriation of property and 20 counts of misconduct of a public officer. He has since been released on his own recognizance.

One of the charges against Boruchowitz, according to the complaint, involves the detective allegedly kicking in a door at a home where teenagers were gathered April 17.

The complaint alleges Cobel’s daughter was in the home when Boruchowitz allegedly forced entry and subjected the teenagers to searches – including breathalyzer tests – without a warrant.

Boruchowitz also is accused of filing an application for a search warrant in March that included untrue statements about Holmes.

“What we’re looking at is a police officer who has been interfering” in politics, Claus said. “That has to stop.”

Attempts to reach Boruchowitz and Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo weren't successful Thursday.

In addition to his other duties, Boruchowitz also serves as the sheriff's office's spokesperson, handling media information requests.

Claus said he didn’t know the number of years Boruchowitz might have to serve if convicted, but added “he could be looking at the rest of his life.”