Pennsylvania police chief charged with aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine

The Justice Department announced that a Pennsylvania police chief has been charged with multiple drug-related offenses, including aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration removed Greensburg Police Chief Shawn Denning, 41, from Delmont, Pennsylvania’s city hall on Tuesday, Jan. 24, after a confidential federal informant linked drug dealers to drug dealers, according to local station WPXI.

The next day, US Attorney Cindy Chung confirmed the arrest, saying Denning was charged with violating various federal narcotics laws.

According to the criminal complaint, Denning faces two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of a large quantity of cocaine, for November 2021 and February 2022.three counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of quantities of methamphetamine on or about January 1, 2022, and in February 2022, May 2022 and July 2022; In addition, one count of conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, a controlled substance (methamphetamine and cocaine).

Denning appeared before federal judge Maureen P. Kelly, who released him on $250,000 unsecured bond.

Overall, the complaint alleges that Denning facilitated the acquisition of cocaine and methamphetamine multiple times over a 16-month period Between June 2021 and October 2022.

“The drugs were obtained in California and Arizona, then handed over to authorities via United States mail,” the Justice Department said.

Currently, Assistant US Attorney Nicole Vasquez is prosecuting the Schmidt case.

Notably, Denning was promoted to major last year and has 14 years of experience on the force. The Justice Department clarified that a criminal complaint is not evidence and that the defendant is “presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

The DEA and FBI are still investigating the case.

Miami-Dade police officer accused of gunning down ex-boyfriend

In other developments, police officer Lacandra Luster appeared in bail court Monday after her arrest that morning on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and battery, both related to the domestic violence incident.

Luster and her ex-boyfriend, who still live together and have a child together, argued Sunday night at their home in the Ojas area of ​​northeast Miami, according to a Miami-Dade police arrest report.

The brawl escalated when Luster armed himself with a black semi-automatic pistol, holding it in the lowered position in his right hand, as he beat the man over the head, face and chest, demanding “the keys to his car”. On “pushed and punched”. “, confirms the official report.

The glow went away momentarily, police wrote, but returned and “continued his attack”.

The report states that Luster entered the living room, where he “took an electronic video equipment from the TV stand area and destroyed it, dropping it to the floor several times.”

Police said Luster’s ex-boyfriend recorded the incident on his cell phone, which corroborated her account. Luster was later taken to Turner Guilford Night Correctional Center and was later released from prison on bail.

In a statement, Miami-Dade Police Department Director Freddy Ramirez said he was “really disappointed” to learn of Luster’s arrest.

,The privilege of being a law enforcement officer means that the insignia we wear is characterized by integrity, trust and an opportunity to be peacemakers in our community, on and off duty.Ramirez said. “It is very disappointing when an officer violates these values,” he said.

Ramirez promised that his department would “assist and cooperate with the judicial process.”

As of now, the police said that Chamak is a sworn officer since 2019 and has been suspended from duty and is awaiting trial.