Nye County detective accused of harassment turns self in

By Kyle B. Hansen

Friday, May 21, 2010 | 5:25 p.m.

A Nye County sheriff’s detective was arrested today after a criminal complaint was filed against him Thursday.

David Boruchowitz turned himself in to the Nye County Detention Center at 1:20 p.m. He was booked and released on his own recognizance per the order of Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill, who signed an arrest warrant.

Las Vegas private attorney Conrad Claus filed a criminal complaint Thursday accusing Boruchowitz of burglary and assault in an effort to harass candidates seeking public office.

Boruchowitz is also the spokesperson for the Nye County Sheriff’s Office. He sent a news release and his jail booking photo to the news media via his work e-mail late Friday afternoon.

He also released a personal statement to the media.

"I took an oath when I was sworn in as a deputy of the Nye County Sheriff's Office to uphold the law and do my duties of that position,” the statement said. “These duties include the investigation and arrest of individuals committing crimes in Nye County no matter who they may be.”

“I conducted all three investigations mentioned in the false criminal complaint filed against me honestly, appropriately and within the limits of the laws of this state. I will continue to do my job and will not allow a politician (or his cohorts) who feels exempt from law enforcement to use his position to intimidate me into not doing my job,” the statement continued.

Boruchowitz said a motion to strike the criminal complaint has been filed with the Pahrump Justice Court challenging the legitimacy of Claus’ appointment as a special prosecutor.

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

One of the charges against Boruchowitz accuses him of 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.

Beckett was arrested May 5 after an investigation by the sheriff’s office into charges of malfeasance of office, embezzlement, 20 counts of fraudulent appropriation of property and 20 counts of misconduct of a public officer.

Beckett has since been released on his own recognizance.

He then appointed Claus as special prosecutor to investigate charges of misconduct at the sheriff’s office.