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Mark Steil
Worthington, Minn.

Charges: Cop shocked wife, 6 others with Taser at Christmas party

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A family gathering last Christmas has resulted in a gross misedmeanor charge over a Taser incident for a Worthington police officer.

During the get-together at officer Joshua McCuen's home, court documents allege that several relatives said they wanted to know what it felt like to be shocked with a taser.

The officer retrieved his department-issued Taser from another room. He then used the device on seven people including his wife; shocking them either on the shoulder or back of the thigh, according to charges. That allegedly constituted an unauthorized use of an electronic incapacitation device.

The 35-year-old officer's first court appearance is set for June 2. He faces a maximum penalty of a year in prison and $3,000 fine.

Worthington Police Chief Troy Appel said in a statement that he does not take the allegations lightly and the unauthorized use of a taser is strictly prohibited by state statute and department policy. Besides the criminal charge, Appel said, McCuen may also face department disciplinary measures.

McCuen has been place on administrative leave.