HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that criminal charges have been filed against former Arnold Police Department Chief Joshua Stanga stemming from a joint investigation led by the Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police into allegations of misconduct by former Chief Stanga.
As part of the investigation, Office of Attorney General agents and Pennsylvania State Police conducted a professional integrity test in August, placing almost $300 cash and placebo OxyContin pills in a vehicle which they abandoned at a location in Arnold. The ‘abandoned’ vehicle was then reported to police, Stanga responded to the scene, and allegedly pocketed most of the cash before filing a police report that misstated the facts.
Joshua Stanga, 41, of Arnold, Westmoreland County, is charged with misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking, misapplication of entrusted property, obstructing administration of law, unsworn falsification to law enforcement, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
During the surveilled sting operation, Stanga was observed allegedly taking the money and pills. The defendant then reported the vehicle recovery to the Pennsylvania State Police, but only included recovering the pills and $35 cash, omitting the full amount.
“This defendant is charged with offenses that betray the trust of the community which he was sworn to serve and the many officers who perform their duties every day with bravery and integrity,” Attorney General Henry said. “As we do in every investigation, we followed the facts. Here, those facts lead to the defendant being charged, regardless of rank or position.”
“Members of law enforcement are entrusted to have the highest standards of integrity, and these charges show that no one is above the law,” said Pennsylvania State Police Captain James Cuttitta, Director of the Special Investigations Division within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. “A key mission of law enforcement is continuing to ensure public trust is built, and not eroded.”
Stanga has been on administrative leave from the Arnold Police Department since mid-August.
Following arraignment, Stanga was released on his own recognizance, meaning he was not required to post monetary bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 3.
This case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Tomm Mutschler. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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