Contra Costa Cop and Private Investigator Indicted on Charges of Running Brothel

Well, that didn't really go the way they imagined

​SF Weekly readers might recall the crazy story of a former CoCo County cop and PI who were busted for stealing drugs and operating their own brothel --  it's just not that kind of story you forget. After three months of investigation, the two former cops allegedly involved in a string of lawlessness were indicted by a federal Grand Jury and arrested this morning.

Normal Wielsch and Christopher Butler, both 50, were allegedly in cahoots to steal drug evidence with the intention to sell it and operated a massage parlor in Pleasant Hill where they protected prostitutes in exchange for weekly payments.

According to the indictment, which was issued Aug. 8, Wielsch used his position as the commander of the Contra Costa County Narcotics Enforcement Team to participate in the "stings" directed at prostitutes. They would identify women who they believed to be prostitutes and arrange meetings with them, typically in hotels. But instead of busting these women, the two would take their cash and property for themselves, according to the indictment.

They would also shutdown other brothels in the area that were competing with their own business in order to make more money.

"This indictment alleges a pattern of lawlessness that not only violated the trust of the people of Contra Costa County, but also brings dishonor to all the fine men and women in law enforcement who work hard, do the right thing, and risk their lives everyday protecting our community," U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said in a statement.

Both men will appear in court later this month.