MINEOLA, N.Y. – A former New York state trooper, who shot himself and then falsely reported being shot by an unknown assailant on a Long Island highway, has been sentenced to six months in jail. The incident had triggered an extensive search across the region.

In addition to his jail time, Thomas Mascia has been sentenced to five years of probation. He is also mandated to undergo mental health treatment and pay nearly $290,000 in restitution, as ruled by the Nassau County court in Mineola.

Mascia entered a guilty plea in May on charges of falsely reporting an incident, tampering with physical evidence, and official misconduct. His resignation followed in January after being suspended without pay amid a state police criminal investigation into the fabricated shooting.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly condemned Mascia’s actions, labeling them as “disgraceful.”

“His deceit consumed hundreds of hours of law enforcement resources, imposed significant costs on Nassau County taxpayers, and eroded the public’s trust in law enforcement officials,” Donnelly stated following the court’s decision.

Mascia claimed he was shot in the leg on Oct. 30, 2024, by a driver while parked on the shoulder of the Southern State Parkway, about a mile from his home. He described the fictitious driver as a “dark-skinned” man who fled in a car bearing temporary New Jersey plates heading toward New York City.

Instead, prosecutors say, Mascia staged the scene of the alleged shooting by scattering shell casings, then shot himself at a park, stashed the .22-caliber rifle, drove back to the highway and called for backup.

Jeffrey Lichtman, who represents Mascia and his parents, said in an email that the former trooper is “mortified by his actions and happy to finally get on with his life.”

He’s previously said Mascia, who became a trooper in 2019, was suffering from an undiagnosed mental health problem at the time of the shooting and has been undergoing treatment.

Mascia’s parents had also pleaded guilty to possessing an illegal firearm, which was found during a search of the family’s home.

Thomas A. Mascia, the defendant’s father, was sentenced to five years of probation Wednesday. Dorothy Mascia was given a one-year conditional discharge.