A West Reading police sergeant was charged Tuesday with using a stun gun on three people, including shooting his father with the nonlethal weapon and posting a video of the incident on YouTube.

Sgt. Matthew R. Beighley, 32, of Wyomissing also is charged with stunning two fellow officers with a department-issued Taser he was given after qualifying as a Taser expert.

Beighley, an 11-year department veteran, surrendered to Berks County detectives at the office of Oley District Judge Victor M. Frederick IV. He was arraigned there on three counts each of illegal use of a stun gun, official oppression and harassment. He was released to await further court action.

In 2005 the Fraternal Order of Police, Berks County chapter, named Beighley officer of the year.

"It is never a pleasant day when we have to arrest a police officer, but no one is above the law," said District Attorney John T. Adams.

Beighley's attorney, Allan L. Sodomsky, said his client should not have been charged criminally.

"I think it's sad to see Berks County law enforcement airing their dirty laundry in public," Sodomsky said.

Beighley was suspended with pay Monday, Sodomsky said.

Investigators gave the following account:

Beighley shot his father, James Beighley, with a Taser he had taken home against department rules. Beighley, who is married with two children, was living at his father's house in Topton between July and October 2010.

Beighley was on the phone with his brother, Daniel Beighley of California, when he heard his father coming up the steps. He hung up the phone and shot his father with the stun gun as his father opened the bedroom door.

Matt Beighley said he videotaped the act with his Blackberry and emailed a copy to his brother, then posted it to YouTube.

Investigators showed the video to James Beighley, who confirmed it was he who was being stunned and falling to the floor.

West Reading Patrolman Chad T. Marks said Beighley stunned him with the device in borough hall in front of a borough employee March 22. Beighley and Marks were on duty at the time.

Investigators said Beighley admitted stunning West Reading Officer Dave Brown sometime prior to using the device on Marks.

Contact Dan Kelly: 610-371-5040 or dkelly@readingeagle.com.

Stuip is as stuip does.

Not very smart on his part