Narcotics cop, investigator face drug charges CONTRA COSTA

A veteran state drug agent based in Contra Costa County and a Concord private investigator were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of conspiring to sell drugs stolen from an evidence locker, authorities said.

Norman Wielsch, a state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement special agent supervisor, and Christopher Butler, the owner of Butler and Associates Private Investigations, were booked at Contra Costa County Jail after a monthlong undercover investigation.

Authorities believe the two conspired to sell methamphetamine, marijuana and steroids, said Special Agent Michelle Gregory of the state narcotics bureau. Sources said the two allegedly sold drugs that had been seized on the street and then stored in police evidence lockers.

Wielsch is commander of the Central Contra Costa Narcotics Enforcement Team, which includes officers from police agencies in the county, and has been with the state drug agency for 12 years. He has taken the lead in several investigations, including one last month in which several pipe bombs were found in a Pacheco storage locker.

"It's a very sad situation for all involved," said Michael Cardoza, Wielsch's attorney. "We will meet these allegations head-on."

Butler has gained renown in Bay Area and national media for employing unassuming-looking women as private investigators dubbed "Mommy P.I.s."

Butler has said in interviews that female investigators often react creatively, whereas men might be saddled with an authoritative, gung-ho mentality. Besides, Butler has said, cheating spouses and criminal suspects aren't suspicious of women driving minivans.

For the past few months, a Los Angeles production company filmed the female investigators in sting operations for a reality show titled, "P.I. Moms of San Francisco." A website for the company, which contained a video clip of the pilot episode, said the show was in production through Lifetime.

Both Wielsch, 49, of Antioch and Butler, 49, of Concord are former Antioch police officers. Wielsch was on the SWAT team.

Wielsch's arrest "is definitely not reflective of our agency or personnel," Gregory said. "It's an unfortunate situation."

The two were booked on suspicion of conspiracy, embezzlement, burglary and possession and transportation of controlled substances. Wielsch is being held in lieu of $660,000 bail. Butler's bail was set at $840,000.