MOUNT CARMEL, Pa. — Three members of the Mount Carmel Police Department in Northumberland County have been indicted on federal charges.
The indictment involves current officer Kyle Schauer and former officers Jonathan McHugh and David Donkochik.
McHugh resigned in 2022. Donkochik was a lieutenant with the department and retired last year.
According to the indictment, the men violated the rights of several people they had in custody.
The indictment involves current Mount Carmel police officer Kyle Schauer, former officer Jonathan McHugh, and retired lieutenant David Donkochik.
The men are accused of violating the civil rights of people they arrested over the course of several years.
According to the indictment, the men violated the civil rights of several people they arrested from 2018 to 2021.
In 22 different arrests, the officers allegedly kicked, punched, choked, and used excessive force. The officers are accused of turning off their body cameras, falsely reporting incidents, and concealing their own use of violence.
"The defendants violated the civil rights of numerous individuals in their community over an extended period and, in the course of doing so, betrayed the significant public trust placed in them," U.S. Attorney Gerard Karam said.
Several people we spoke with did not want to go on camera but said they support the three officers and have nothing bad to say about them. Others are upset.
"I think it's crazy that we have somebody who is supposed to be protecting us behind closed doors hurting people," said Mount Carmel resident Scott Dennis.
"It's crazy for a small town. You don't usually hear that around here, especially since the FBI is involved," said resident Angel Velazquez.
Neither Mount Carmel's police chief nor mayor would comment on the indictments. Schauer, McHugh, and Donkochik face up to ten years in federal prison if they are convicted. Borough officials say they expected to put Schauer on paid administrative leave.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline.