SPOKANE, Wash. — Todd Chism, a Spokane firefighter falsely accused of possessing child pornography two years ago, was placed on paid administrative leave after being tased and arrested in Stevens County on Tuesday.
According to Washington State Patrol, someone called to report an accident off of Highway 291. When troopers arrived, they reportedly found Chism behind the wheel trying to get out of a ditch. They say he initially cooperated in a field sobriety test but then began to resist, at which point they tased him repeatedly with little effect.
Troopers say they struggled with Chism as they attempted to take him into custody. One trooper suffered a broken thumb and another strained his hand during the fight. Chism received a cut over his eye.
Chism was eventually controlled and booked into the Stevens County Jail on charges of Driving Under the Influence and Resisting Arrest. Those charges were dismissed pending completion of an investigation — something WSP said is common in similar cases. They said Chism may eventually face assault charges in connection to the incident.
Chism returned to work in May 2008 after he was cleared of possessing child pornography. He continued to claim that his reputation had been destroyed by the ordeal and that WSP had never apologized for its lacking investigation. He filed a $20 million tort claim against the agency in January 2009.
Republished with permission from KHQ.