Home / Crime and Justice / Ex-Cop Avoids Jail for Leaking Drug Probe Info
Ex-Cop Avoids Jail for Leaking Drug Probe Info
9 Sep
Summary
- A former Elmira police officer received probation for leaking investigation details.
- The officer compromised a felony drug investigation by releasing confidential information.
- She admitted to providing criminal assistance to a drug suspect.
A former Elmira police officer, Shyonna Pacheco, has been sentenced to three years of probation, avoiding jail time for her actions in a drug investigation. Pacheco, 26, pleaded guilty in March 2026 to second-degree attempted hindering prosecution, a misdemeanor offense.
She admitted to unlawfully obtaining and sharing confidential information related to a felony drug investigation. Pacheco provided this information to a relative, who then passed it to the target of the investigation, thereby compromising the case and any potential prosecution. The Elmira Police Chief had requested state police assistance upon learning of Pacheco's unauthorized actions.
As part of her plea agreement, Pacheco was required to resign from her position as a police officer, a role she had held since January 2023. The Schuyler County District Attorney's Office prosecuted the case to manage potential conflicts of interest. While state police uncovered other misconduct, these were not pursued under the agreement.
