A Pennsylvania police chief has been charged with several drug-related offenses, including aiding and abetting in the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as conspiracy, the Justice Department announced.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents on Tuesday removed Greensburg Police Chief Shawn Denning, 41, of Delmont, Pa., from Greensburg City Hall after connecting a confidential federal informant to drug dealers, according to the local station WPXI.
The next day, US Attorney Cindy Chung confirmed the arrest, saying Denning had been charged with violating various federal narcotics laws.
According to the criminal complaint, Denning is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of a quantity of cocaine for November 2021 and February 2022, three counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine in and around January. 2022 through February 2022, in May 2022 and July 2022; and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances (methamphetamine and cocaine).
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A Greensburg Police Department vehicle.
(Twitter)
Denning appeared before federal judge Maureen P. Kelly, who released him on $250,000 unsecured bond.
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In total, 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.
Greensburg Police Chief Shawn Denning, 41, was charged with cocaine distribution.
(Marcus Brandt/Image Alliance via Getty Images)
“The drugs were obtained in California and Arizona, then delivered to CS1 via the United States mail,” the Justice Department said.
Assistant US Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting the case.
Denning was promoted to chief last year and has 14 years of experience on the force.
A logo reading DEA Special Agent is displayed at the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office on May 29, 2019 in New York City.
(JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Justice Department clarified that the criminal complaint is not evidence and that the defendant is “presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
The DEA and the FBI are investigating the case.
