A Newcastle police sergeant pleaded not guilty Thursday to six charges accusing him of abusing a woman he dated during a series of confrontations that stretched nearly a year and involved a police cruiser, a department K-9, an officer's baton and a knife threat.
One affidavit describes the allegations as escalating from verbal abuse to physical violence.
During one encounter, Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Ed Rosier described allegations that escalated from verbal abuse to physical violence.
One alleged confrontation involved Kaminski threatening the woman with a knife if she refused to get into his patrol vehicle.
Nicholas Joseph Kaminski, 36, entered not guilty pleas Thursday in Weston County District Court to two counts of aggravated assault and battery, one count of felonious restraint and three counts of domestic battery.
Kaminski was employed by the Newcastle Police Department but is suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case, according to previous statements from city officials.
A request for comment from Newcastle Police Chief Derek Thompson was not returned.
Where It Began
Rosier's affidavit shows Kaminski and the alleged victim's relationship began in early 2024.
Kaminski became verbally abusive early in the relationship, degrading the woman, criticizing her appearance and leaving bruises during confrontations, per statements in the affidavit.
The first alleged physical incident happened in July 2025 after Kaminski became angry that another man had stayed overnight at the woman's home.
Because she did not want Kaminski around her children, she agreed to meet him at a Newcastle gun range instead.
Witnesses told investigators Kaminski pulled her from her vehicle by her arms, threw her keys into a nearby field and shoved her against the vehicle.
The affidavit notes Kaminski struck her head, back, and body against the vehicle while forcing her back inside and used his police nightstick to intimidate her.
Investigators also say Kaminski later used a department K-9 to locate the keys he had thrown into the field.
'Knifed To Death'
The woman told police that five months later Kaminski demanded she meet him again, so she drove to the Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center because it was public and well-lit.
She said Kaminski followed her in a marked patrol vehicle, took her keys, ordered her into his patrol car and physically pulled her from her SUV when she refused.
Rosier wrote that Kaminski then "started cutting his own arm and told her that he would do the same thing to her if she didn't get into his cop car."
The woman later told investigators she believed Kaminski would have "knifed her to death" if she refused.
According to the affidavit, Kaminski then drove her toward the refinery outside Newcastle, where he continued screaming at her.
Those allegations form the basis for one count of aggravated assault and battery and one count of felonious restraint.
Brass Knuckles
The final allegations unfolded at Weston County Health Services, where the woman worked as a nurse.
On May 10, investigators say Kaminski arrived at the hospital while on duty after transporting an unresponsive patient and demanded to speak with the woman.
Hospital surveillance video reviewed by DCI shows Kaminski grabbing the woman's arm and wrist, pulling her down a hallway and backing her into a corner while dressed in full police uniform.
Another witness told investigators Kaminski entered a room, shut the door and said, "I know there's no f*cking cameras in here."
The witness reported seeing Kaminski throw the woman into cabinets during the confrontation.
The allegations are separate from another May incident that led to Kaminski's arrest.
According to an earlier affidavit, Kaminski spent hours outside the hospital sending increasingly threatening text messages demanding the nurse come outside.
Among them were: "Hey ur f***ing ass outside. Or I'm coming in," "U have 3 minutes to either come out here or answer the phone," and "U made this worse by not coming outside."
Just before 4 a.m., the nurse was escorted to her vehicle by a law enforcement officer after finishing her shift.
Investigators say Kaminski emerged from a nearby parking lot, cursed at the officer after being told the woman did not want to speak with him and sprinted toward her vehicle as she drove away.
Thompson later stopped Kaminski and arrested him. Investigators say they found a loaded Glock 48 pistol with a round chambered tucked into his waistband, along with a folding knife and brass knuckles.
Arraignment In District Court
Kaminski pleaded not guilty to all six charges Thursday, and the District Court judge set the case for trial.
He posted a $35,000 bond July 10 and has remained out of jail since.
During the hearing, defense attorney Ryan Titus told the court Kaminski had found new employment that requires travel to Converse County, Cheyenne, Sheridan County and even Montana. He asked the judge to modify Kaminski's bond conditions to allow him to leave the Sixth Judicial District for work.
Crook County attorney DaNece Day did not object, telling the court it was important Kaminski remain employed given the potential financial obligations if he is convicted. The judge granted the request.
If convicted on all six charges and ordered to serve consecutive sentences, Kaminski could face up to 27½ years in prison.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
