WOODLAND – A state trooper stationed in the Clearfield Barracks is facing criminal charges.
The announcement came Thursday that 32-year-old Ryan D. Henschel of Philipsburg, a six-year veteran of the force, was charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, tampering with public records or information, obstructing administration of law or other governmental function and hindering apprehension or prosecution. All charges are misdemeanors.
The charges stem from a March 20, 2010 incident. According to the report, Henschel was on duty when he reportedly learned that an off-duty trooper was involved in an accident on Deer Creek Road and requested a tow for his vehicle. The report states that Henschel responded to the scene and determined the incident was a reportable accident. He contacted the barracks and notified them of the incident. It is then alleged that he transported the off-duty trooper to a local convenience store where the off-duty trooper reportedly purchased gum and mints. The report states that Henschel then transported the off-duty trooper back to the scene.
The report states that Cpl. Svin Donaldson, patrol unit supervisor at the Clearfield station, responded to the scene and conducted a crash investigation. Donaldson believed the off-duty trooper appeared under the influence of alcohol and requested that he submit to field sobriety testing. The off-duty trooper consented to the testing. Donaldson positioned his vehicle and its mobile video recorder to record the testing. It is alleged that at some point prior to the testing, Henschel went into Donaldson’s patrol vehicle and shut off the recorder.
The charges were filed before Magisterial District Judge James Hawkins. Upon being charged Henschel was suspended without pay.