Former police officer jailed for giving money to ex-wife to deal drugs, but judge spares her from prison

A former South Australian police officer will serve the next 22 months behind bars for giving his former wife money to buy and sell methamphetamine in the Riverland.

Daniel John Schatto, 46, was a serving police officer at Renmark when he gave his 40-year-old ex-wife, Natasha Marie Schatto, money to buy methamphetamine in April 2020.

She was pulled over by police on her way back from Adelaide and was in possession of almost 3.4 grams of methamphetamine — worth up to $3,300 if sold in points.

The court heard she planned to use some of the drugs and sell the rest.

On Thursday, District Court Judge Joanne Tracey sentenced her to almost three years and five months in jail with a non-parole period of 21 months after she pleaded guilty to her crime.

The court suspended her sentence because she had made significant steps in her drug rehabilitation, and it would be better for the community if she continued that treatment.

But Judge Tracey ordered Daniel Schatto serve his three-and-a-half-year sentence in prison for supplying his former wife with the funds to purchase the drugs.

He will be eligible to apply for parole in 22 months.

Schatto plans to appeal his sentence.

Judge critical of police officer’s offending

Daniel Schatto pleaded not guilty to his involvement, but a jury convicted him of drug trafficking after a trial.

“As a police officer, your time in custody would be difficult,” Judge Tracey told Schatto.

She said his support of the drug trade was serious given his vow to uphold the law as a police officer of more than two decades.

The court heard Daniel Schatto — who had custody of their four children — was aware of his former wife’s drug addiction and knew she planned to sell some of the methamphetamine.

Judge Tracey said his decision to fund her addiction was close to “reprehensible”.

“There’s no evidence in you taking part in the sale of the drugs — it’s difficult to understand why you have offended in this way,” she said.

“Any involvement in the drug trade is serious offending … and you committed the offending as a serving police officer.

“Your offending will have serious consequences for you and your career.”

In a statement last month, SA Police said for two years Schatto was suspended on full pay but had been suspended without pay since April this year.

Today, SA Police said he resigned on August 24 “prior to an internal disciplinary sanction being completed with him”.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said he could not comment in detail given the case was within an appeal period.

“Police officers are not above the law, in fact I would suggest given the responsibilities and authorities we have within the community and our obligation to investigate crime, there is a higher standard for police,” he said.

“I will let this particular case unfold, but given the outcome of the criminal prosecution process, and a custodial sentence being applied, I think that reflects the seriousness of the offending, however wait and see if there’s any appeal lodged.”