OAKLAND — A former drug task force commander in Contra Costa County sobbed and wiped away tears today as he pleaded not guilty to drug and corruption charges, offenses that could carry a life sentence if convicted.
Norman Wielsch, 50, was scheduled to be released later in the day after agreeing in Oakland federal court to undergo a psychiatric evaluation within three days to determine whether he is suicidal. His father posted his $100,000 bail.
Wielsch is a former narcotics agent with the state Department of Justice who, until earlier this year, was commander of the multiagency Centra Contra Costa Narcotics Enforcement Team. He was arrested by federal agents at his Antioch home last week after a grand jury indicted him and former Concord private investigator Christopher Butler.
The men are charged with stealing methamphetamine and marijuana from police evidence lockers to sell, robbing prostitutes of cash and cell phones during phony sting operations, and operating a brothel in Pleasant Hill that fronted as a massage parlor.
The 17-count indictment also alleges the men conducted a phony drug bust on a Danville teenager, falsely detained him and stole his drugs.
Butler, 50, pleaded not guilty Friday and was released after his father secured a $1 million bond.
In Oakland today, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hemann told Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler that his office considered Wielsch’s suicide risk “sufficiently grave” and requested a psychological assessment as part of the conditions of his release.
If Wielsch’s psychologist finds him to be a threat to himself, he could be returned to supervised custody.
During his arraignment, Wielsch repeatedly broke into sobs as the judge read the charges to his elderly father, Ernest Wielsch, who agreed to secure the bail amount.
After the judge asked the elder Wielsch if he understood he was financially liable if his son violates bail conditions, the father asked, “Could you be lenient on my son? He’s been good.”
Outside the courtroom, Norman Wielsch’s attorney, Michael Cardoza, said his client has been meeting regularly with a psychologist.
“They’re worried that a cop, in his position and facing the embarrassment he’s brought upon himself and his family would, as they say in the business, eat his gun,” Cardoza said. “While he is embarrassed, it is not a real concern.”
Wielsch and Butler are scheduled to appear in federal court Sept. 6.
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