Thursday, February 13, 2025, 11:17PM |  33°
MENU
Advertisement
Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held.
1
MORE

Westmoreland County, sheriff sued over deputy's claim he was denied full-time status

Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette

Westmoreland County, sheriff sued over deputy's claim he was denied full-time status

A part-time sheriff's deputy in Westmoreland County has sued the county and Sheriff Jonathan Held in federal court, saying he's been denied full-time status because of his obligations as a Marine reservist.

Jonathon Sutton, 28, of Greensburg, a military police officer and a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves who has served overseas, said in his suit filed Wednesday that he has not been hired full time despite being more qualified than some other deputies who have been hired.

He and his lawyer, Timothy O'Brien, said that since 2015, the sheriff's office has hired or promoted at least a dozen others who were not reservists or service members and are less qualified. They said the department recently hired a captain, for example, who had no prior military or police experience.

Advertisement

"They don't want to deal with anyone who has any kind of obligation," Sgt. Sutton said on Wednesday.

Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held appears for a preliminary hearing before Westmoreland County District Judge Chris Flanigan on Thursday in Greensburg. He was  in court on public corruption charges.
Shelly Bradbury
Westmoreland County sheriff to face trial on campaign-related criminal charges

Sgt. Sutton joined the Marines in 2011 and has been a part-time deputy since 2015.

He said that since June 2016, he has applied at least 10 times for promotion to full-time.

The suit is asking for injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney's fees.

Advertisement

Sheriff Held said in a statement that his office does not discriminate against anyone.

"This claim is especially atrocious because my grandfather was a World War II veteran," he said. "We have over 10 active military personnel and veterans employed in this office. The facts of this case will come out, and in the end it will prove to be just another piece to a political witch hunt."

Sheriff Held, who is named as a defendant in both his individual and official capacities, was charged last month by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office with theft of services, theft by unlawful taking and conflict of interest. He is accused of directing on-duty deputies to collect political contributions for his 2015 re-election campaign.

Torsten Ove: tove@post-gazette.com.

First Published: March 14, 2018, 5:42 p.m.

RELATED
Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held
Karen Kane
Who ya gonna call? A locksmith, as Westmoreland County sheriff's locked doors thwart a search warrant
The public corruption case against Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held, seen here on Thursday, March 15, 2018 during a court apperance in Greensburg, ended Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 in a mistrial.
Jonathan D. Silver
Public corruption case against Westmoreland County sheriff ends in mistrial
Comments Disabled For This Story
Partners
Advertisement
A cutout batter sits in the bullpen at Pirate City, the spring training facility of the Pittsburgh Pirates, during a spring training baseball workout in Bradenton, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.
1
sports
Joe Starkey: Bad news Pirates outdid themselves on Day 1
Philadelphia Phillies' Darick Hall plays during a baseball game, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Philadelphia.
2
sports
With Pirates' first base job up in the air, newcomer Darick Hall remains motivated to prove he belongs
An aerial view of Lawrenceville, A second lawsuit has been filed to force a property reassessment in Allegheny County, with both saying county officials are using an outdated system.
3
business
Judge tosses Pittsburgh Public Schools lawsuit seeking Allegheny County property reassessment
The administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro -- shown last week delivering the annual budget address -- on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the freeze of federal funding. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
4
news
Gov. Shapiro and Pa. agencies sue federal government over Trump administration funding freeze
Competitors in the Flagship Ice Open wait to get started in the predawn darkness on Feb. 1. The event drew 51 two-person teams.
5
life
Lake Erie ice fishing tournament pulls in over 100 anglers and a 2.17-pound yellow perch
Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held.  (Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette)
Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story